Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, also known as breast enhancement surgery, is a popular cosmetic procedure. It helps women enhance their natural beauty and boost their self-confidence. Whether you’re looking for a mommy makeover or a more balanced figure, this surgery can help.

When done by a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon, breast augmentation offers safe and natural-looking results. Your surgeon will choose the right implant size, shape, and placement for you. This ensures a treatment plan that meets your unique needs and desires.

Choosing a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon is key. They prioritize patient safety and satisfaction. Working with a reputable professional makes your breast augmentation journey positive and rewarding.

Understanding Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgery to make breasts bigger, rounder, and fuller. It uses implants or fat transfer to get the look you want. Women get this surgery to change their body shape, add volume, or fix uneven breasts.

What is Breast Augmentation?

This surgery lets women pick their ideal breast size and shape. It involves an incision, a pocket made in the breast, and then implants are put in. The cut can be in three places:

The choice of implant and cut spot depends on your body, what you want, and your surgeon’s advice. This surgery is often done as an outpatient, so you can go home the same day.

Reasons for Considering Breast Augmentation

Women get breast augmentation for many reasons, like:

• Wanting bigger, fuller breasts
• Improving breast shape and balance
• Getting back volume lost from weight, pregnancy, or aging
• Feeling more confident and good about their body
• Fixing breasts after mastectomy or injury

For many, it’s about feeling more at ease and confident in their skin. Whether you want a small change or a big one, implants can help. It’s key to talk openly with a skilled surgeon to get the best results.

Choosing the Right Implant Type

When you think about getting breast implants, picking the right type is key. You have three main choices: silicone, saline, and gummy bear implants. Each has its own pros and cons. It’s important to know the differences to find the best fit for you.

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants have a gel that feels like real breast tissue. Many like them because they look and feel natural. They also don’t ripple or fold much and keep their shape well. But, if they rupture, you might not notice without regular MRIs.

Saline Implants

Saline implants are filled with saltwater. They’re empty when inserted and then filled during surgery. This lets surgeons adjust the size precisely. If they rupture, the body absorbs the saltwater, and you’ll notice right away. They might be a good pick for those who want a smaller scar or have concerns about silicone.

Gummy Bear Implants

Gummy bear implants are a newer silicone option. They have a thick gel that keeps its shape even if damaged. They’re made to look like natural breasts and don’t ripple or fold much. But, they might need a bigger incision and feel firmer than other implants.

Implant Placement Options

Choosing where to put breast implants is a big decision in breast augmentation. You can place them under or over the chest muscle. Your surgeon will pick the best spot based on your body and what you want.

Placing implants under the muscle (submuscular) can look and feel more natural. The muscle hides the implant’s edges. It also might lower the chance of scar tissue forming around the implant. This is good for those with less natural breast tissue.

Putting implants above the muscle (subglandular) works well for those with enough breast tissue. This method heals faster and hurts less after surgery. It also adds more to the top of the breasts for a better cleavage.

The choice between these options depends on your body, what you want, and your lifestyle. Your surgeon will look at your needs and suggest the best choice for you. This way, you get the best look from your breast surgery.

Incision Techniques for Breast Augmentation

When you think about breast augmentation, talking about incision techniques is key. The incision method affects scarring, healing time, and how your breasts look. There are three main ways to insert implants: inframammary, periareolar, and transaxillary.

Inframammary Incision

The inframammary incision goes along the natural crease under the breast. It’s great for placing implants precisely, working with both silicone and saline. Scars hide well under the fold. Many moms choose this method for its flexibility.

Periareolar Incision

The periareolar incision is made on the areola’s lower edge. It hides the scar well, perfect for those with darker areolas. But, it might affect nipple feeling and breastfeeding more than other methods.

Transaxillary Incision

The transaxillary incision is in the armpit’s natural crease. It leaves no scar on the breast, appealing to some. Yet, it’s harder to place implants accurately and works best with saline implants.

Your plastic surgeon will choose the best incision for you. They consider your body, what you want, and the implants. Knowing the pros and cons helps you decide. This way, you get the natural look you want from your breast augmentation.

Preparing for Your Breast Augmentation Surgery

After deciding on breast enhancement surgery, it’s time to get ready. Good preparation makes the surgery and recovery smoother. Your plastic surgeon will give you all the details during your pre-op visit.

Pre-operative Consultation

Your surgeon will go over your breast augmentation plan during the pre-op talk. They’ll check your medical history and do a physical exam. You can also ask about the surgery, recovery, and what to expect.

They’ll tell you how to get ready for surgery. This might include:

• Avoiding certain medications, like blood thinners and anti-inflammatory drugs
• Stopping smoking 4-6 weeks before to help healing
• Finding someone to drive you home and help you at first

Arranging for Recovery Time

Plan for enough time to recover after your breast implant surgery. Most people need 1-2 weeks off work. You’ll also need help with daily tasks like cooking and cleaning for a few days.

Here are some tips for a comfy recovery:

• Make a cozy resting spot with lots of pillows to keep your upper body up
• Get your pain and antibiotic meds ready before surgery
• Have easy meals and snacks ready
• Wear comfy, loose clothes that don’t need to be pulled over your head

Getting ready for your breast augmentation surgery helps with a smoother recovery. Your surgeon will guide you to feel confident and ready for your new look.

The Breast Augmentation Procedure

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure. It enhances the size and shape of the breasts using breast implants. The procedure involves several key steps to achieve the desired breast enhancement results.

Anesthesia and Sedation

Before the surgery starts, the patient is given anesthesia or sedation. This ensures comfort and prevents pain during the procedure. The choice of anesthesia depends on the patient’s preferences and the surgeon’s advice.

Creating the Implant Pocket

Once the patient is under anesthesia, the surgeon creates a pocket for the implants. The pocket’s placement depends on the implant type and desired outcome. There are two main options:

The surgeon will discuss the pros and cons of each option during the pre-operative consultation. This helps the patient make an informed decision.

Inserting and Positioning the Implants

After creating the pocket, the surgeon inserts the chosen implants. They position them for optimal results. The surgeon carefully adjusts the implants to ensure symmetry and the desired shape.

Once the implants are in place, the incisions are closed. This is done using sutures, surgical tape, or skin adhesive. Throughout the surgery, the skilled surgeon aims to minimize scarring and achieve a natural-looking outcome.

Recovery and Aftercare

After your breast augmentation surgery, you might feel some discomfort and swelling. Your surgeon will give you pain medication to help with this. It’s important to follow all post-operative care instructions to heal well and get the best results.

In the first few days, you’ll need to wear a special surgical bra. This bra helps support your breasts and reduce swelling. Your surgeon will tell you how long to wear it and when to switch to a regular bra. You should avoid underwire bras until your surgeon says it’s okay.

Most people can go back to work and do light activities within a week or two. But, you should avoid hard exercise and heavy lifting for a while. Your surgeon will tell you when you can start doing more things based on how you’re healing.

Make sure to go to all your follow-up appointments with your surgeon. These visits help your doctor check on your healing and answer any questions. If you had a mommy makeover or breast reconstruction too, your recovery might take longer. Your surgeon will give you extra advice for your situation.

Potential Risks and Complications

Breast augmentation is usually safe, but knowing the risks is key. Choosing a skilled surgeon and following instructions can help. This way, you can get the best results from your surgery.

Capsular Contracture

Capsular contracture is a common issue after breast implants. It happens when scar tissue around the implant gets hard. This makes the breast feel tight, painful, or look different. It might need surgery to fix, months or years later.

Implant Rupture or Leakage

Implant rupture or leakage is another risk. It’s rare, but can happen with both saline and silicone implants. Saline leaks are safe, but silicone might need to be removed. Regular MRI scans can spot silent ruptures in silicone implants.

Changes in Nipple Sensation

Some people might notice changes in nipple feeling after surgery. This could be more sensitivity or numbness. It usually goes away as nerves heal. But, in some cases, it might not go back to normal. Talk to your surgeon about this before your surgery.

Other risks include infection, bleeding, and not being happy with the results. Going to all follow-up visits and telling your surgeon about any issues is important. This helps catch and treat problems early, ensuring the best outcome.

Combining Breast Augmentation with Other Procedures

Many women looking for breast enhancement surgery might also want to combine it with other procedures. This approach can tackle several issues at once. It leads to a more balanced and refreshed look. The most common additions are the breast lift and the mommy makeover.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift, or mastopexy, lifts and shapes sagging breasts. It can also make breasts bigger. This is great for women whose breasts have changed a lot due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, or aging.

The table below shows why combining a breast lift with augmentation is good:

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is a personalized set of surgeries for post-pregnancy issues. It often includes a breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction, along with breast augmentation. This way, women can get back their pre-pregnancy body and feel confident again.

For a mommy makeover with breast augmentation, wait until you’ve finished having children and have a stable weight. This ensures the best results and lasting effects.

Maintaining Your Breast Augmentation Results

After your breast augmentation surgery, it’s key to care for your breasts well. Wearing a supportive bra helps keep your breasts shaped and prevents sagging. Always follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions for a smooth recovery.

Keeping a stable weight is vital for your breast implants to look good. Big weight changes can alter your breast size and shape. A healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and exercise helps keep your weight steady and your breasts looking great.

Make sure to see your plastic surgeon regularly. These visits help your surgeon check on your breast implants. They can address any issues, like capsular contracture or rupture, and suggest treatments, including revision surgery.

Remember, breast implants are meant to last but may not be forever. You might see changes in your breasts or want a different size or shape. In these cases, revision surgery can help improve your results.