What is Breast Augmentation?
Also known as augmentation mammaplasty, breast augmentation involves using implants to fulfill your desire for fuller breasts or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.
Breast Augmentation is a process were in the natural breasts are enhanced to appear bigger. This is done using breast implants made of silicone. The effects are ong lasting. The implant is placed with a small incision. The site of the incison may be in the breast fold, axilla, areola or the umblicus depending on the patients choice.
What will Breast Augmentation do?
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 may be a good option for you if
- You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
- You are dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging
- Your breasts vary in size or shape
- One or both breasts failed to develop normally
The surgery can be done if you are physically healthy and if your breasts are fully developed.
What it will not do ?
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.
What are the options for Breast Implants?
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. Currently Saline implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women 18 years of age and older. Saline or silicone implants may be recommended at a younger age if used for reconstruction purposes.
What are the risks associated with Breast Augmentation?
Like any other surgery, there are certain risks involved in this procedure. Your plastic surgeon will explain in detail the risks and potential complications associated with this surgery. You will also be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.
Breast implants do not impair breast health. Careful review of scientific research conducted by independent groups such as the Institute of Medicine has found no proven link between breast implants and autoimmune or other systemic diseases.
Other important considerations you must know:
- 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.
What happens after the Breast Augmentation surgery?
After a post-surgical recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days, you are likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks. Exercise and normal activity can resume at the direction of your plastic surgeon. Over a period of time, post-surgical swelling will decrease and incision lines will fade.
What are the expected results?
The results of your breast augmentation surgery will be long-lasting. You will find it easier to wear certain styles of clothing and swim wear.Like many women who have had breast augmentation, you may also have a boost in self confidence.
It is important to understand that Implants may need to be replaced or revised. Your breast implants are not permanent and may require replacement during your lifetime. You should expect to have future visits with your plastic surgeon to discuss changes in your breasts.
Over time, your breasts can change due to aging, weight fluctuations, hormonal factors and gravity. If, after a period of years, you become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a breast lift or implant exchange to restore a more youthful contour.
Continue to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.
You need to know that 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.