Breast Surgery FAQ: 30+ Questions Answered by Dr. Mughni

Breast surgery is a group of operations that change the size, shape or position of the breasts. Dr. Chowdhury Rashedul Mughni performs all three main types at his two chambers in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The table shows how they differ.

Who is suitable for breast surgery, and how do I prepare?

Most healthy adults with a clear, realistic goal can be considered. Suitability is confirmed only at an in-person consultation.

What happens at a breast surgery consultation?

Dr. Mughni takes your medical history, examines your breasts and asks what you want to change and why. He explains which operation fits, where the scars will sit and what recovery involves. His preference is a result that respects your natural body structure. You can take time to decide afterwards, with the information you need.

What is the minimum age for breast augmentation?

In the United States, the FDA approves saline implants for cosmetic augmentation from age 18 and silicone gel implants from age 22. Many surgeons use silicone below 22 after careful discussion. Breast development should be complete, and the decision should be the patient’s own. Dr. Mughni discusses age openly at consultation.

Will I be asleep during breast surgery?

Breast reduction is usually done under general anaesthesia, so you are fully asleep, and takes about two to three hours. For augmentation and lift, the type of anaesthesia depends on the operation and your health. It is agreed with you and the anaesthetist before surgery, after your pre-operative tests.

Do I need to stop smoking before breast surgery?

Yes. Smoking slows wound healing. In one study of 173 breast reduction patients, smokers had more wound problems than non-smokers (55 percent vs 34 percent), and the risk was highest in those who smoked until surgery. Stopping at least four weeks before the operation, and staying stopped during healing, is the safest course.

Should I lose weight before a breast reduction or lift?

If you plan to lose weight, it is better to reach your target first and hold it steady. Large weight changes after surgery alter breast size and shape and can undo part of the result. For Dr. Mughni, post-surgery weight management is part of the result, not an afterthought.

What should I know about breast implants?

Implants are well-studied medical devices, but they are not lifetime devices. They need monitoring and may need replacing. Our sub-pillar explains how augmentation with implants works.

Which implants does Dr. Mughni use?

Dr. Mughni uses Winner, Mentor and Motiva implants. Silicone and saline types are available, in round and teardrop shapes. The right choice depends on your chest shape, tissue thickness and the result you want. Our guide to silicone, saline and implant shapes compares the options in more detail.

How long do breast implants last?

There is no fixed expiry date. Implants are not designed to last a lifetime. Replacement around 10 to 15 years after surgery is common, though some last longer. Most replacements follow a problem such as rupture or hardening, or body changes after pregnancy, weight change or ageing.

How will I know if a silicone implant has ruptured?

A silicone rupture is often silent, with no symptoms. The FDA recommends a first MRI or ultrasound scan five years after surgery, then every two to three years. A standard mammogram does not reliably detect silicone rupture, so imaging aimed at the implant itself is needed.

What is capsular contracture?

Your body forms a thin scar capsule around every implant. In capsular contracture, this capsule tightens and the breast feels firm, looks distorted or becomes painful. Low-grade infection on the implant surface is one suspected cause. In a ten-year study of one silicone implant model, rates rose by about one percent a year after year six.

Will I need more surgery on my implants later?

Possibly. The FDA advises that anyone with breast implants may need further surgery at some point, but no one can predict when. The chance of a problem such as rupture or capsular contracture grows the longer implants are in place. Some patients also choose a later change of size or shape.

Are breast implants safe? BIA-ALCL and breast implant illness

Implant-related cancers appear to be rare. Knowing the warning signs matters most.

What is BIA-ALCL?

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a rare cancer of the immune system, not breast cancer. It forms in the fluid or scar tissue around an implant, usually years after surgery. The FDA reports a higher risk with textured implants than smooth ones. Your implant card or surgeon can confirm which surface you have.

What are the warning signs of BIA-ALCL?

The main signs are persistent swelling, a lump or pain around the implant, often appearing long after the wound has healed. Fluid is often found collecting around the implant. Most patients are treated successfully by removing the implant and its surrounding capsule. Any new, lasting swelling should be checked promptly.

Are there other rare cancers linked to implants?

Yes. The FDA believes these cases may be rare, but their true frequency is unknown. In 2023 the FDA reported cases of squamous cell carcinoma and several lymphomas in the scar capsule around implants of every surface and fill type. Most patients noticed swelling or pain. The FDA advises lifelong monitoring, not removal, for people without symptoms.

What is breast implant illness, and should I remove implants if I feel well?

Breast implant illness describes whole-body symptoms some women link to their implants. A 2025 review found many reported improvement after removal, but no direct cause has been proven. The FDA does not recommend routine implant removal in women without symptoms. If you feel unwell, discuss it with your surgeon.

How do breast reduction and breast lift work?

A reduction removes weight and tissue; a lift raises and reshapes without removing much volume. Some patients need a lift combined with an implant.

Is breast reduction only a cosmetic operation?

No. Many patients choose it for physical symptoms of macromastia, such as neck, back and shoulder pain, bra-strap grooves and skin irritation. One BREAST-Q study found clear improvement in pain, sleep, activity and self-image, sometimes within six weeks. Our breast reduction guide covers candidacy and technique.

Do I need a lift, an implant or both?

A lift corrects sagging (ptosis) and raises the nipple position. An implant adds volume. If your breasts have both sagged and lost fullness, a lift with an implant may suit you. Dr. Mughni advises on this at examination. The mastopexy page covers lift-only and lift-with-implant options.

How long does a breast lift last?

A lift lasts for years, but it does not stop ageing. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, large weight changes, sun damage and poor bra support all affect how long the shape holds. Finishing your family first and keeping your weight steady help protect a lift.

Will I lose nipple sensation?

Nipple and breast sensation can change after any breast operation. After augmentation, sensation changes are a recognised early effect. After reduction, loss of nipple sensation is a recognised risk and can be permanent. Dr. Mughni explains your own level of risk based on the technique planned for you.

How painful is breast surgery, and how long is recovery?

Most discomfort is strongest in the first few days. Normal daily life usually returns within weeks, depending on the operation.

How painful is breast surgery?

After augmentation, acute pain usually settles within one to five days, with soreness and swelling lasting a few weeks. Reduction and lift involve more tissue work, so tightness can last longer. Pain is controlled with prescribed medicines, and swelling after reduction can take around three months to settle fully.

Will I need to stay in hospital?

Many augmentation patients go home the same day after observation. Breast reduction usually involves one or two nights in hospital, until the thin drainage tubes are removed. Dr. Mughni operates at both his chambers and his admitting hospital, and your expected stay is discussed with you before surgery.

How much time off should I plan for?

It depends on the operation and your job. After breast reduction, two to three weeks off work is typical, and heavy lifting waits for up to six weeks. Desk work is often possible sooner after augmentation. Our week-by-week breast surgery recovery timeline covers each milestone, including exercise.

Will breast surgery leave scars?

Yes. Every breast operation leaves a scar, and honest planning starts with accepting that. Scarring is the subject Dr. Mughni finds himself explaining most often to breast surgery patients.

Dr. Chowdhury Rashedul Mughni puts it plainly:

Where will my scars be?

Augmentation scars are short, often in the fold under the breast, sometimes around the areola or armpit. Reduction and lift scars run around the areola, often with a vertical line down the breast and sometimes a horizontal line in the fold. Scars look red for around six weeks, then gradually fade.

Do Bengali and South Asian patients scar differently?

Darker skin types, common among Bengali patients, have a higher tendency to form thick raised scars, keloids and patches of darker pigment after surgery. This is a known feature of healing in skin of colour, not a failure of the operation. So scar care starts as soon as the wound has closed.

How can I help my scars heal well?

Keep the wound clean, follow your dressing instructions and avoid smoking. Once the wound has closed, silicone gel or sheets help reduce raised scarring. Protect scars from strong sun, which can darken them. Avoid stretching the area early, and report any scar that keeps thickening at follow-up.

How does breast surgery affect pregnancy, breastfeeding and mammograms?

Breast surgery can affect breastfeeding and screening, and the effect depends on the operation and technique. Plan for both before surgery.

Should I mention future breastfeeding plans before surgery?

Yes, always. Studies link implants to lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding. After reduction, success depends heavily on how much tissue beneath the nipple is preserved. Telling Dr. Mughni early lets him plan around it. The evidence for each operation is set out in our guide to breastfeeding after breast surgery.

Should I wait until I have finished having children?

For a lift, waiting is generally advised, because pregnancy and breastfeeding change breast tissue and can bring sagging back. Augmentation and reduction can be done earlier, but later pregnancies may still change the result. Timing surgery around your family plans can spare you an early second operation.

Can I still have mammograms with implants?

Yes. Tell the radiographer you have implants before the scan. Special implant-displacement views, called Eklund views, push the implant back and pull breast tissue forward so more of it can be seen. Implants can still hide a small amount of tissue, so routine screening should never be skipped.

Why does breast screening matter for Bangladeshi women considering surgery?

A study of 3,117 cases at three Dhaka hospitals found breast cancer diagnoses rising from the mid-thirties, around five years earlier than in Western populations. The authors suggest screening from age 35. If you are in this age group, a breast check before cosmetic surgery is sensible.

What about cost, revision and other breast operations?

Cost depends on the operation and your individual assessment. Revision, male breast surgery and reconstruction are also available.

How is the price of breast surgery worked out?

Each breast operation is quoted as a range, and the final figure is confirmed only after Dr. Mughni has assessed you. Price depends on the procedure, its complexity, the technique chosen and the length of hospital stay. Our 2026 breast surgery pricing guide lists current ranges and what they include.

What if I need a revision?

Revisions are done for problems such as capsular contracture, implant movement or rupture, or for body changes over the years. If a revision is needed within the first 6 to 12 months after your original operation, the practice offers it at a reduced charge. Details are confirmed at consultation.

Does Dr. Mughni perform breast surgery for men?

Yes. Enlarged breast tissue in men, called gynaecomastia, is treated with liposuction, removal of the gland, or both, and with skin removal in severe cases. It is normal, treatable and nothing to be ashamed of. The male breast surgery page explains the options and recovery.

Is breast reconstruction different from cosmetic breast surgery?

Yes. Reconstruction rebuilds a breast after mastectomy, injury or a congenital difference, using an implant or the patient’s own tissue. Its aim is to restore form and confidence after loss, rather than change a healthy breast. Read about breast reconstruction after mastectomy for the approaches involved.

When should I see Dr. Mughni in person?

See a surgeon in person once you are seriously considering an operation, or straight away if you notice a lasting change around an existing implant.

A page of answers cannot examine you. Your skin, breast shape, health and future plans all change what is right for you. The complete breast surgery guide gives a wider overview of all three operations. Consultations are available at both Dhanmondi chambers.

Patient resources

Seeing real results helps you judge what is realistic.

Patients describe their experience on the patient reviews page. The before and after gallery shows results from patients who gave consent, with faces blurred to protect their privacy.

Breast surgery is a personal decision, and no one should rush it. Understanding the scars, recovery and long-term care before you choose is part of a good result. As Dr. Mughni says of his work:

Medical disclaimer: please read the full medical disclaimer for this website.

References

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2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Is it time to replace your breast implants? https://plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/is-it-time-to-replace-your-breast-implants

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8. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. How long do breast lift results last? https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/how-long-do-breast-lift-results-last

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10. Maxwell GP, Van Natta BW, Bengtson BP, Murphy DK. Ten-Year Results From the Natrelle 410 Anatomical Form-Stable Silicone Breast Implant Core Study. Aesthet Surg J. 2015;35(2):145-155. doi:10.1093/asj/sju084

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12. NHS. Breast reduction. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-reduction/

13. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Breast augmentation recovery. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation/recovery

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15. Bourgeois J, Beer J, Jacob L, Henry M. Scarring and Dyschromias in Fitzpatrick Skin Type IV-VI: A Review of Dermatologic Treatment Protocols. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(7).

16. US Food and Drug Administration. Update on Reports of Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) in the Capsule Around Breast Implants: FDA Safety Communication. 2023. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/update-reports-squamous-cell-carcinoma-scc-capsule-around-breast-implants-fda-safety-communication

17. US Food and Drug Administration. What to Know About Breast Implants. 2025. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-know-about-breast-implants