Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation involves using implants to fulfill your desire for fuller breasts or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.
If you are dissatisfied with your breast size, augmentation surgery is a choice to consider.
Breast augmentation can:
◆Increase fullness and projection of your breasts.
◆Improve the balance of your figure.
◆Enhance your self-image and self-confidence.

Breast augmentation does not correct severely drooping breasts. If you want your breasts to look fuller and to be lifted due to sagging, a breast lift may be required in conjunction with breast augmentation. Breast lifting can often be done at the same time as your augmentation or may require a separate operation. Your plastic surgeon will assist you in making this decision.

Preparing for surgery

Get lab testing or a medical evaluation.
Taken certain medications or adjust your current medications.
Stop smoking well in advance of surgery.
Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.
et a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue.

Procedural Steps

Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Incisions are made in inconspicuous areas to minimize visible scarring. You and your plastic surgeon will discuss which incision options are appropriate for your desired outcome.

Incision options include

◆Inframammary incision.
◆Transaxillary incision.
◆Periareolar incision.
Incisions vary based on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your particular anatomy, and patient-surgeon preference.

Implant choice

Breast size and shape are important, so be honest and open about your expectations when talking with your surgeon.
Implant type and size will be determined not just on your desired increase in size but more importantly on your breast anatomy, skin elasticity and body type.
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. They can be filled with varying amounts of saline, which can affect the shape, firmness and feel of the breast. Should the implant shell leak, a saline implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body.
Silicone implants are filled with an elastic gel. The gel feels and moves much like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket.
A leaking implant filled with silicone gel may not collapse. If you choose these implants, you may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly. An ultrasound or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants.
Implant manufacturers occasionally introduce new styles and types of implants, so there may be additional options available.

Inserting and placing the implant

After the incision is made, a breast implant is inserted into a pocket either: Under the pectoral muscle (a submuscular placement), or directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (a submammary/ subglandular placement) The method for inserting and positioning implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type, and your surgeon’s recommendations.

Closing the incisions

Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue and with sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the skin. Over time the incision lines will fade.

See the results

The results of breast augmentation are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for fuller breasts.
●Unfavorable scarring
●Bleeding (hematoma)
●Infection
●Poor healing of incisions
●Changes in nipple or breast sensation, may be temporary or permanent
●Capsular contracture, which is the formation of firm scar tissue around the implant
●Implant leakage or rupture
●Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
●Anesthesia risks
●Fluid accumulation
●Blood clots
●Pain, which may persist
●Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
●Possibility of revisional surgery

Other important considerations

●Breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants.
●Pregnancy, weight loss and menopause may influence the appearance of augmented breasts over the course of your lifetime.

Recovery

After a post-surgical recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days, you will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks.
Exercise and normal activity can resume at the direction of your plastic surgeon. Over time, post-surgical swelling will decrease and incision lines will fade.

To be aware

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heartbeats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you might require hospitalization and additional treatment.
The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
You will find it easier to wear certain styles of clothing and swimwear.
Breast Implant Augmentation is the development of a foreign body scar Capsule Contracture.
Whenever any material is inserted into the body, be it suture, metal (such as a total joint), plastic, or silicone, the body will respond with a non-specific reaction of scar formation to try to wall off the foreign material with a scar covering.
In order to prevent this from happening, some doctors recommend massaging the breasts in order to keep them soft and looking natural. This is usually done by trying to move the implant around the scar tissue.