Breast implants is a kind of plastic surgery which add volume to existing breast tissue to create a fuller chest. Implant options include silicone or saline, rounded or shaped, and textured or smooth, all of which come in a variety of sizes.
Breast augmentation, often combined with a breast lift, is a highly individualized procedure, which you should do for yourself, not to fulfill anyone else’s desires or to fit a certain type of ideal image. It is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the Australia and only authorized Plastic Surgeons experts have perfect techniques for the ultimate results.
Am I a candidate for breast augmentation?
If you aren’t satisfied with the shape, size or contour of your breasts, you may wish to consider breast augmentation. Also known as augmentation mammoplasty, the procedure involves using implants to enlarge the breasts. You can consult plastic surgeon consultants first.
Breast augmentation may also help after pregnancy or weight loss if you are unhappy with the size or droopiness of your breasts. Implants can also correct asymmetry or unevenness in breast size caused by developmental problems or breast cancer surgery performed in the opposite breast.
One or more of the following feelings or conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for breast augmentation:
How do I prepare for breast augmentation?
If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. You should avoid aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs that can cause increased bleeding for a period of time before surgery. Your plastic surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions.
Breast enlargement is performed with either saline or silicone implants that are placed either under the chest muscle (sub pectoral) or over the chest muscle (sub glandular).
Plastic surgeons evaluate individual factors and personal preferences to determine your appropriate breast size, the location of incisions and whether the implants will be placed on top of or underneath the chest muscle.
How is breast augmentation performed?
Usually performed under general anesthesia, incisions are made in inconspicuous areas of the breast to minimize visible scarring. There are a variety of incisions used to perform the procedure:
Through these incisions, the plastic surgeon creates a pocket to place the implant. To maximize the accuracy of future mammograms, implants are generally placed under the muscle (subpectorally).
Some breast enlargements can be performed in a minimally invasive manner using endoscopes and small incisions made in the armpit, with the major benefit being less scarring for the patient. The procedure, which takes about two hours, is typically performed on an outpatient basis.
Are there different options for breast augmentation?
Breast implants are made up of a silicone shell filled with either saline (a salt water solution) or silicone gel. Silicone gel has a thick, sticky fluid consistency that closely mimics human fat, offering a more ‘natural’ look and feel if capsule contracture (shrinking and tightening of the scar tissue around a breast implant) does not occur. Saline implants have the disadvantage of sometimes feeling like a water balloon to touch, especially in patients with thin, soft tissue.
What is involved in recovery?
Breast enlargement surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. If this is the case, be certain to plan for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you at least the first night following surgery.
You will be given medication to take at home. Stiffness and soreness in the chest for the first two to five days is normal. These side effects, along with some swelling and bruising will subside over two to three weeks. Any surgical dressings will be removed within several days and you may be instructed to wear a support bra.
Physical activity is limited for the first several weeks, with most patients able to return to work and their normal activities within two to three weeks. Each year, thousands of women undergo successful breast augmentation surgery. Yet, all surgical procedures involve some risk
Is breast augmentation safe?
Both saline-filled and silicone gel-filled breast implants present potential risks, including:
