About Breast Augmentation – Choices to Make

Introduction
For many women, feeling confident, happy and sexy goes hand in hand with looking their best.

For thousands of women, achieving such confidence and pride in their appearance has been enhanced by their choice to pursue breast augmentation.

Following their procedure, many women describe a transformation in how they feel about themselves and their bodies.

There are many reasons women choose breast augmentation. Some of them include:

• • Increasing the size of their breasts to create more proportional contours
  • Restoring volume and reshaping breasts that have lost their volume and shape due to breast feeding or weight loss

• Addressing asymmetrical breasts or breasts that have not formed or developed correctly

Each woman’s reasons for pursuing breast augmentation surgery are personal and individual, and decisions about surgery should be discussed with your Cosmetic Surgeon based on your personal needs, goals and expectations.

Today, there are many choices available for women who decide breast augmentation is right for them. This blog is designed to help you understand more about breast augmentation and provide you with information regarding all the options available. This does not replace having a face to face consultation with a Cosmetic Surgeon, but seeks to provide you with background information.

Anatomy of the Breast
The breast consists of fatty, glandular and fibrous tissues. Under the breast is the pectoralis major, which is a large muscle that assists in arm movement.

Incision and Placement Choices

Incisions: Breast implants are usually inserted using one of three common incision sites: around the nipple (periareolar), within the breast fold (inframammary) or under the arm (transaxillary).

Inframammary-This incision is very popular because it is concealed in the skin fold below the breast and carries the least risks and complications.

Periareolar– This incision offers the benefit of being the most concealed. However, risks include potential interference with breast feeding, infection and bleeding.

Transaxillary– This incision is less concealed, but it might be a good option for women who do not want any scars on their breasts. However, the surgery itself is more complicated and lengthy due to the difficult access.

Your Cosmetic Surgeon will explain each incision choice to you in greater detail including the advantages and disadvantages, and help you make a decision that is right for you.

Placement :

During a breast augmentation procedure, the implants will either be placed under the chest muscle (submuscular) or on top of the muscle and under the breast glands (subglandular).

Submuscular placement
may reduce the chances of your implants being felt through your skin, and it may help reduce the chance of scar tissue hardening around your implants. It also will make it easier to image your breast during a mammogram. Potential disadvantages of this placement choice could be a longer surgery and recovery period.

Subglandular placement
can make your augmentation surgery shorter and reduce your recovery time. A possible disadvantage could be having your implant edges more visibly noticeable under your skin, however this also comes down to what kind of breast implant and what size you choose, along with your existing breast tissue and anatomy. Imaging during a mammogram can also be more difficult when your implants are placed subglandularly, however other tests can be performed instead.

Your Cosmetic Surgeon will discuss with you your placement options in relation to your individual needs and goals, so that you can make a decision about which option is right for you.

Breast implant incision sites

Types of Breast Implants

There are two basic types of breast implants: silicone gel filled breast implants and saline filled breast implants.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants have improved significantly over the last several years. They are the most commonly used breast implants now, due to their ability to feel like natural breast tissue. Silicone breast implants consist of an outer silicone shell filled with a cohesive silicone gel. This gel is designed to retain its integrity in the case of the outer shell splitting or rupturing, so that the silicone does not disperse within the breast.

Saline breast implants
Saline breast implants consist of an outer silicone shell filled with a saltwater solution called saline, similar to the fluid that naturally occurs in the human body. These have declined in popularity due to their tendency to feel literally like a bag of water rather than simulate the feeling of natural breast tissue.

Implant Shapes
Depending on your current breast size and shape and the breast size and shape you are hoping to achieve, you and your Cosmetic Surgeon may choose either a round or contoured implant. Contoured implants have a teardrop shape that is aimed at providing patients with a more natural looking breast. However, many women seek to have volume and fill at the top of their breast, which a teardrop shape will not provide. Anatomical implants also have a tendency to rotate within the breast, requiring further surgery to correct their orientation. Round breast implants are the most common choice for women seeking breast augmentation. Breast implants come in different degrees of projection; moderate, high and very high. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will discuss with you the shape and projection of breast implant that will best suit your existing breast tissue and chest size and meet your goals and expectations.

Implant Surfaces
Breast implants come with either a smooth or a textured surface, now commonly known as “furry brazillian”. Breast implants with a smooth surface have a slightly softer shell, are less likely to be felt through the skin and are able to move naturally within the breast tissue. Textured breast implants tend to adhere like Velcro to the tissue inside the breast and can be used to achieve a small of degree of lift.

Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation surgery is performed in a private hospital. You normally can go home the same day as your surgery, with a friend or family member staying with you for 24-48 hours. General anesthesia is typically used, so you will be asleep during your procedure.

The surgery usually takes between one and two hours. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will make an incision and create a pocket in the breast tissue in which the breast implant is placed. Once the Surgeon is satisfied with the position of the breast implant, the incision will be closed with layers of stitches.

Your Recovery

Every woman’s recovery is different. You may expect to feel a little sore for the first 24 – 72 hours but any pain or discomfort is usually alleviated by mild pain relief, such as paracetamol. Your breasts may be swollen and tender to touch. Although every woman’s recovery is different, you should be able to resume light activities after about one week. However, it is really important to avoid any upper body activity, including exercise, lifting or bending for at least 6 weeks in order to allow the underlying muscles to settle and the breast tissue to start healing around the breast implants.

Initially you will be strapped with bandages and taping after surgery by the Cosmetic Surgeon. From about the 2^nd day, you will be required to wear a supportive bra with no underwire.

Your Cosmetic Surgeon will have other specific recommendations for you to follow while you recover. If any issues arise after your breast augmentation surgery, you need to contact your Cosmetic Surgeon immediately.

Question To Ask Your Cosmetic Surgeon

• • What training has the surgeon received in performing breast augmentation surgery?

• • How many years experience does the surgeon have in performing breast augmentation surgery?

• • How many breast augmentation implantation procedures does the surgeon perform each year?

• • What are the potential risks and complications associated with breast implant surgery?

• • What shape, size, surface texturing, incision site and placement site is recommended for me?

• • How will my ability to breast-feed be affected?

• • How can I expect my implanted breasts to look over time?

• Do you have before-and-after photos that I can look it?