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Breast Augmentation
Other names
Breast Enlargement, Breast Enhancement, Breast Aug, Augmentation Mammaplasty, Breast Implants
Purpose
To increase fullness and projection of the breasts
Procedure type
Outpatient
Recovery time
5 - 10 days
Complements
Breast lift, Tummy Tuck, Liposuction
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Home > Procedures > Cosmetic Surgery
Breast Augmentation
Goals
- Increase fullness and projection of the breasts
- Restore breast volume lost following pregnancy, breast-feeding, or weight loss
- Improve symmetry of the breasts
- Helps to give the body a more balanced figure
Description
Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammaplasty, increases the size and shape of the breast through the surgical placement of implants behind the breast. The decision for breast augmentation is unique and personal. Many women desire to enlarge small breasts, change the shape of the breast, restore breast volume lost following pregnancy, breast-feeding, or weight loss, balance uneven breasts, or simply to obtain a more balanced figure.
Breast augmentation does not however correct sagging breasts. To correct saggy breasts, a breast lift can be performed at the same time, or instead of the breast augmentation.
A breast implant has a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or a salt-water solution known as saline.
Procedure
Breast augmentation surgery usually takes one to two hours to complete. The method of insertining and positiong your breast implant will depend on your anatomy and your surgeon's recommendations. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest, around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple), or in the armpit. Every effort will be made to make sure that the scar is as least noticeable as possible.
Working through the incision, the breast skin and tissue is lifted to create a pocket for the implant. The pocket can be created either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath the chest wall muscle, called the pectoral muscle. The implants are then centered beneath the nipples. Stitches are used to closed the incisions and special strips of tape are used to reinforce the sutures. A gauze bandage is then used to provide support to the breasts.
Because breast augmentation is a highly individualized procedure, it is important to discuss your goals and desires with your plastic surgeon. Decisions to be made include selecting the size of the implants and whether to go with a silicone or a saline implant, choosing the incision location, and determining whether the implant should be placed above or below the muscle.
Recovery
Although many patients are up and about in a day or two, plan on taking it easy for at least the first week after surgery. You should be able to shower after the bandage is removed by the surgeon within a few days of surgery. The stitches used dissolve on their own.
You may experience a burning sensation in your nipples for about two weeks, but this will subside as bruising fades. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct stimulation for two to three weeks. Swelling in the breast may last three to five weeks.
Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months, or even appear to widen. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely.
Most patients are able to return to work or school within 5 to 10 days, depending on the level of activity required. Vigorous physical activity such as exercise or sports is not allowed for two to six weeks.
Possible Risks and Complications
Breast augmentation is relatively straightforward. But as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.
Capsular Contracture
The most common problem, capsular contracture, occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This squeezing of the soft implant can cause the breast to feel hard. Capsular contracture can be treated in several ways, and sometimes requires either removal or "scoring" of the scar tissue, or perhaps removal or replacement of the implant.
Bleeding
As with any surgical procedure, excessive bleeding following the operation may cause some swelling and pain. If excessive bleeding continues, another operation may be needed to control the bleeding and remove the accumulated blood.
Infection
A small percentage of women develop an infection around an implant. This may occur at any time, but is most often seen within a week after surgery. In some cases, the implant may need to be removed for several months until the infection clears. A new implant can then be inserted.
Changes in Nipple Sensation
Some women report that their nipples become oversensitive, undersensitive, or even numb. You may also notice small patches of numbness near your incisions. These symptoms usually disappear within time, but may be permanent in some patients.
Implant Breakage or Leakage
Occasionally, breast implants may break or leak. Rupture can occur as a result of injury or even from the normal compression and movement of your breast and implant, causing the man-made shell to leak. If a saline-filled implant breaks, the implant will deflate in a few hours and the salt water will be harmlessly absorbed by the body.
If a break occurs in a gel-filled implant, however, one of two things may occur. If the shell breaks but the scar capsule around the implant does not, you may not detect any change. If the scar also breaks or tears, especially following extreme pressure, silicone gel may move into surrounding tissue. The gel may collect in the breast and cause a new scar to form around it, or it may migrate to another area of the body. There may be a change in the shape or firmness of the breast. Both types of breaks may require a second operation and replacement of the leaking implant. In some cases, it may not be possible to remove all of the silicone gel in the breast tissue if a rupture should occur.
Interference with Mammagraphy
While there is no evidence that breast implants cause breast cancer, they may change the way mammography is done to detect cancer. When you request a routine mammogram, be sure to go to a radiology center where technicians are experienced in the special techniques required to get a reliable x-ray of a breast with an implant. Additional views will be required. Ultrasound examinations may be of benefit in some women with implants to detect breast lumps or to evaluate the implant.
Asymmetry
In almost all cases, the right and left breasts are different in size and shape to begin with. While our surgeon will attempt to correct for asymmetry, there are limits to what can be done.
Rippling
Rippling of the breast tissue can occur when there is minimal breast tissue coverage over the implant. Often, this is due to having small breasts to begin with. Sometimes it can occur after weight loss after breast augmentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much time is required for a breast augmentation?
A: A breast augmentation requires approximately 1-2 hours. As with all surgeries, the amount of time needed varies from patient to patient.
Q: Is a breast augmentation an inpatient or outpatient procedure?
A: Outpatient.
Q: What is the recovery time?
A: Most patients are able to return to work or school in 5 to 10 days.
Q: How do I decide on the exact cup size?
A: Your surgeon will use multiple methods to help you determine your desired size. Remember that breast implant size chosen will be influenced by amount of breast tissue currently present and the width of your chest.
Q: Do breast implants affect fertility, pregnancy, or ability to breastfeed?
A: There has been no evidence that would suggest that breast implants affect fertility, pregnancy, or ability to breastfeed.
Q: Do breast implants cause breast cancer?
A: There has been no evidence that correlates breast implants with breast cancer.
Q: Do silicone breast implants cause diseases of the immune system, such as scleroderma and other arthritis-like symptoms?
A: Research has found no clear link between the breast implants and the symptoms of what doctors refer to as "connective-tissue disorders." However, we recommend that you thoroughly investigate the issue for yourself before making a final decision.
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