BREAST AUGMENTATION

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a common surgical procedure that increases the size and shape of your breasts. Your breasts can be augmented using breast implants or fat transfer

BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY – INCISION TECHNIQUES

The breast augmentation procedure lasts one to two hours and is typically performed with general anesthesia. Incisions through which the implants are inserted are made in inconspicuous places on the breast to minimize scar visibility. These may be located in the crease on the underside of the breast (inframammary), or around the areola, the dark skin around the nipple (periareolar).

What are the different kinds of breast augmentation?

There are two main types of breast augmentation: breast implants and fat transfer augmentation. Within those two categories, there are multiple different options based on how you want your breasts to look and feel. Certain breast implants are only FDA-approved for certain ages. It’s important to fully research and know the pros and cons of each option and to talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon before opting for breast augmentation.

Breast implants are the most common type of breast augmentation. Breast implant options include:

• Saline breast implants: These implants are filled with sterile saline (salt water). If the implant were to break inside your breast, your body will absorb the saline and naturally get rid of it.
• Structured saline breast implants: These implants are filled with sterile saline (salt water) and have an inner structure that helps the implant feel more natural.
• Silicone breast implants: These implants are made of silicone gel. If the implant were to break, the gel could stay within its shell or leak into your breast. If you get silicone implants, you may have to see your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure your implants are working properly.
• Form-stable breast implants: These implants are often called gummy bear breast implants because they keep their shape even in the implant shell breaks. They are made of a thicker silicone gel and are firmer than traditional implants. Form-stable breast implants require a longer surgery incision in your skin.
• Round breast implants: These implants usually make breasts look fuller. Since the implants are round all over, they don’t typically change the look of your breast if they rotate out of place.
• Smooth breast implants: These implants feel the softest of all the different kinds of implants. Smooth breast implants usually make breast movement look more natural than other implants.
• Textured breast implants: These implants create scar tissue to adhere to the implant, which makes them less likely to move around inside of your breast. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), though rare, occurs most frequently in people who have breast implants with textured surfaces.

Fat transfer breast augmentation: In a fat transfer breast augmentation, your surgeon will use liposuction to take fat from another area of your body and then inject that fat into your breasts. This type of augmentation is usually for people who want a relatively small increase in their breast size. In most cases, your surgeon will take fat tissue from one of the following areas: Belly, flanks (the sides and lower back of your abdomen) Back, thighs.

RISKS & COMPLICATIONS OF BREAST AUGMENTATION

Early

 Bleeding and infection can occur with any surgery. Fortunately, both are uncommon occurrences. When recognized by the patient or staff, quick intervention will take place to resolve the issues.

 Late

With any type of surgery, a scar results with healing. Most often, scarring is hardly noticeable on the skin. An unacceptable scar can be revised under local anesthesia if necessary. A normal response of the body to the presence of an implant is to form a scar, often referred to as a capsule. Occasionally, this scar will shrink around the implant to cause the breast to feel firm. This is commonly referred to as capsular contracture. If this condition causes undue pain and/or aesthetic distortion of the breast appearance, it can easily be corrected with a surgical procedure.