Breast Augmentation - Augmentation Mammoplasty

Breast augmentation is the name of the surgical procedure performed in order to enhance or enlarge a woman's breasts with the use of breast implants. Saline-filled implants are used almost exclusively for breast augmentation.

Who Is An Ideal Candidate?

The best candidates for breast augmentation are women who desire to enhance their body contour and feel their breast size is too small. Breast augmentation may help a women to feel more self-confident about her body image. Breast augmentation can also correct slightly sagging breasts or breasts that have lost volume due to pregnancy. The goal of surgery usually is to create a natural fuller breast rather than one that appears "over augmented". Women that have a breast asymmetry, congenital abnormalities or have undergone a previous mastectomy may also be good candidates for breast augmentation.

The Consultation

Consultation for breast augmentation consists of a thorough discussion of the patient's desires and concerns. An examination and evaluation of the patient's breasts will be performed. The available surgical options, including a description of how the procedure is performed, will be reviewed. An idea of what results you can expect, including the limitations and risks of surgery, will also be discussed. The types and shapes of the available breast implants will also be discussed. Presently, most breast implants used for breast augmentation are saline-water filled. Patients must be aware of the potential risks associated with breast augmentation surgery. These risks will be reviewed with you at the time of your consultation.

The Procedure

Breast augmentation may be performed in our office operating suite or as an outpatient at the hospital. Either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia may be used. The location of the incision used depends on the patient's anatomy and desires. Every effort will be made to assure that the incision is placed so resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible. The most common incisions are usually located underneath the breast in the natural crease or under the arm. Through these incisions a pocket is created behind the breast, the implant is placed either behind or in front of the chest muscle, depending on the patient's anatomy and the type of implant selected. In most cases dissolvable sutures are used and drains are not felt to be necessary. Surgery usually take less than two hours.

The Recovery

Patients may be sore for a period of time after surgery. Bruising is usually minimal, however, swelling may last for several weeks. Most patients are able to return to work within one week after surgery. Patients may be required to wear a surgical bra and limit their activities for a few weeks following surgery.

For most women, the result of breast augmentation is extremely satisfying, even exhilarating, as they learn to appreciate their fuller appearance. Regular examination and routine mammograms for those in the appropriate age groups at prescribed intervals will help assure that any complications, if they occur, can be detected early and treated.

Article taken from Breast Implants USA, the leading source for breast implant and breast augmentation information, courtesy of Peter Hyans, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Breast Augmentation FAQs

Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgical procedure done to increase the size and shape of a woman's breasts by placing a saline filled implant with a silicone shell under the breast.

What are the reasons why women opt for breast augmentation?

In most cases, women wish to undergo a breast augmentation procedure when they feel their current breast size is too small or disproportionate to their body size. In some instances the breasts may be unevenly developed and breast augmentation procedure is preferred to rectify the problems. Women, who find that their breast size has shrunken after pregnancies, also wish to restore their breast size through breast augmentation. Also, those women who have undergone a mastectomy often choose to have breast augmentation.

What are the benefits of breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation makes the breasts larger and fuller. The results may not look exactly like natural larger breasts. The breasts tend to be a bit rounder and less saggy than natural breasts of the same size.

What is the minimum age requirement to have a breast augmentation?

A woman must be at least 18 years of age to undergo breast augmentation.

How much cost will be incurred for breast augmentation?

The cost of breast augmentation may vary depending on several factors. This may include the place where the surgery is performed, the fees of the plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist and what style and type of implants are used.

Is breast augmentation painful?

The intensity and duration of pain vary with individuals. After the procedure, most women feel tired and sore for a few days. Usually women are able to return to normal activity in three to four days without much pain.

How long does the procedure take?

It takes approximately 1-2 hours for a routine breast augmentation procedure. The duration of the procedure differs according to the technique used, the placement of the implants and the type of anesthesia used.

Is there a higher risk for cancer in women with implants?

No evidence is available to substantiate that breast implants are associated with a higher cancer rate.

Breast Implants - Right Size Or Downsize: Breast Augmentation Decisions

Breast augmentation can enhance a woman's shape and proportions and make her feel more confident about her overall physical appearance. If you are considering having breast augmentation, there are important choices you will have to make that will make a big difference in your overall satisfaction of the final results. Once you have decided to have breast implants placed, the next question is, "how big?" and do you opt for silicone or saline implants? Too small and you may not be satisfied with the results, too big and there can be complications that result in you eventually seeking out breast augmentation revision surgery.

Breast augmentation revision is usually a combination of removing the breast implants that are too large and replacing them with smaller ones, and then performing a breast lift to deal with the stretched skin. As a plastic surgeon, I often perform breast augmentation revisions on petite women who didn't realize the size they selected was too large, (think Heidi Montag). In many cases, the cosmetic surgeon who placed the original implants, didn't warn her of the complications she would likely face with her selection. I mostly see this problem with women who selected saline breast implants. Women who choose saline implants that are too large for her frame soon realize they are uncomfortable and look too big. Many times, the original augmentation was performed by a "discount" cosmetic surgeon rather than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Here are the five main points to understand about choosing large breast implants, especially if you are a petite woman:

1. Large implants look disproportionate and make the patient look unbalanced.

2. Large implants in small women make them look fat in their clothes and top-heavy.

3. Large saline implants create more fitting of the skin and more wrinkling and rippling.

4. Large saline implants cause more dissent of the implant overtime and therefore more sagging.

5. Large saline implants, because they cause thinning of the skin, feel like a water-bed.

It is true that some of these changes could happen with large silicone breast implants of equivalent size, however, they are more pronounced with saline breast implants.

To solve this issue and create a more balanced look for each of these women, I removed the larger implants replaced them with an appropriate sized silicone breast implant and then designed the breast lift over this new implant. As I've written before, you can make preliminary markings before the surgery but the actual proof is in the operating room. With the new breast implants in place, temporary sutures are placed on the outside of the skin without any incisions and the breast is tailor tacked to the appropriate shape. This process may take several tries until we are able to achieve the ideal shape. At that point, the extra skin is removed and the breast is tightened and lifted.

Breast revisions are never an easy operation but they are very satisfying one for both the patient and the doctor. The difference in comfort, aesthetics, and self-image are amazing. Every single patient that I have converted from saline to silicone implants has commented on how much better they feel. The average breast implant should last 20 to 30 years but if you have a result that you are not happy with, there is no reason to wait that long to change it.

Of course, the best option would have been to choose the right size breast implant from the very beginning. This is why at Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery of Sacramento, I discuss the downside of choosing breast implants that are too large in the first place and in some cases I refuse to place implants that I know the patient will be unhappy with even if she wants them. With this approach, I rarely have to remove implants that I placed and my patients are happy with their results.

Breast Augmentation: A Process of Surgery Which Helps in Enhancing the Look of the Breasts

Breast augmentation is a basic procedure of resizing the breast. Breast augmentation is technically known as mammoplasty augmentation or breast implantation. Breast augmentation is in fact, a surgical process to improve the shape and size of a woman's breast. Breast augmentation helps in the process of enhancing the women's body contour either for personal reason or for the purpose of captivating the eyes of the opposite sex. Breast augmentation is also done after pregnancy to reduce and correct the breast contraction which is generally caused due breast feeding.

Breast augmentation as it helps in the process of breast enhancement and proper appearance of the breast, thus it helps in adding self-confidence in one's personality. But it should be noted out here that breast augmentation however to a certain extent changes the look of one undergoing breast augmentation and it may also change the way of people's interaction with the person who has undergone the implantation. Breast augmentation is generally a women's issue. Breast augmentation thus helps in the process of improving the look of the women. Good looking and healthy breasts can be considered as a femininity symbol. Good looking breasts help in providing self-reliance and thereby often may be considered as a proper way of inviting attention of men. Thus based on these concepts women folk generally opt for breast augmentation for providing a perfect shape and size to the breasts.

Variety of breast augmentation and breast implantation methods are practiced which gives guaranteed results. Every method promises the desired results. Lets us discussed certain types and procedures of breast augmentation. The most popular way of breast augmentation is known as saline implantation, a process where a silicone shell of rubber which is filled with saline liquid properly sterilized is implanted into the breasts. Then there is another process of breast implantation which is generally done in the process of silicone gel shell which is filled up with silicone viscous gel is implanted into the breasts. Then we can also talk about the type of breast augmentation which is generally done by the way of string implantation done on the basis of using proypropylene.

Further, there is also a different process of breast augmentation which is done by way of implanting certain tissues into the breast for reshaping the breasts. This process is in fact the most recent and the most modern form of breast augmentation. Thus it is considered important to consult the surgeon before opting for breast augmentation. The cost meted out for breast augmentation depends upon the type of implantation one opts for.

Breast Augmentation - Breast Feeding Issues

When many women begin researching breast augmentation, breast feeding questions always arise. It is understandable since nurturing offspring is the primary function of the breasts and affecting their ability to do that is not something any woman wants to do. The good news is that breast feeding issues from breast enhancement procedures are rare. However, there are potential problems that you should be aware of.

After breast augmentation, breast feeding can be made difficult if there is a lack of milk production caused by the disturbance of the milk ducts. With the medical advancements, most of today's procedures place the implants behind the muscle walls which does not disturb the milk ducts. Also, some procedures go through the naval instead of the breast itself which also cuts down on damage to the milk ducts. This is mostly not a problem anymore. When researching a physician or clinic they should be very detailed in their description of the entire process. Make sure you understand the risks involved with the milk ducts if you see having children in your future.

Another problem that can arise is if you choose to have the nipples moved during the procedure. This can also sever the ducts, leaving milk production impossible. Many times the ducts are able to repair themselves but not always. Keep this in mind when mapping out your surgery.

Lastly, no matter what type of procedure you go with, pressure caused by the insertion of the implants can affect breast milk production. This is very rare but can occur.

When deciding on whether or not to get breast augmentation, breast feeding should not be a reason why you shouldn't. Your procedure can be fit to all but eliminate the chances for complications.

What to Expect Before and After Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery procedure to change the size and shape of a woman's breasts. Whether it is reducing the size of breasts that are too large, reconstructing breasts after surgery, or enhancing the size of the breasts, breast augmentation provides women with the body contour they are looking for.

Dr. Hendricks in Newport Beach, California is a plastic surgeon that specializes in breast augmentation in all its forms. "I strive to improve my patients appearance with breast augmentation," says Dr. Hendricks, "I am committed to providing thorough consultations, pre-operative education, and post operative care."

Prior to your breast augmentation surgery, you will have an initial consultation with your plastic surgeon. This is your chance to have all of your questions about breast augmentation surgery answered.

Your plastic surgeon will inform you of what directions you must follow prior to the breast augmentation surgery. You may need to avoid smoking, certain vitamins and drugs, and some food or drink. Also, your plastic surgeon will evaluate your overall health to make sure you are not at risk for any unnecessary complications during breast augmentation surgery, or during the recovery from the surgery.

Breast augmentation is the most common form of plastic surgery performed in the United States, but it is still a surgical procedure, and must be performed by a professional in a medical environment.

On the day of your breast augmentation, you should arrive with a companion to help you after the procedure. Breast augmentation can be performed in an independent surgical facility, or it can be performed in a hospital.

Most of the time, breast augmentation is performed while you are under general anesthesia. This means that you will not feel anything and you will be unconscious for the entire procedure. Some plastic surgeons prefer to perform breast augmentation procedures while the patient is under local anesthetic and sedative. In this case, you would be conscious, but would not feel any discomfort.

During the breast augmentation surgery, the surgeon will make an incision either next to the areola, in the inframammary crease, the transaxillary (armpit) crease, or in the navel for a TUBA (Trans Umbilical Breast Augmentation) procedure. You will work with the plastic surgeon to decide what incision is best for you prior to the breast augmentation surgery.

If the incision is made in the navel or in the transaxillary (armpit) crease, the plastic surgeon will need to use an endoscope to aid them in the placement of the breast implant. An endoscope is a small camera and light that is used to show the surgeon the area of operation.

Once the plastic surgeon has made the incision for the breast augmentation surgery, they will create a pocket behind the breast for the implant. Depending on where you and the surgeon have decided on placing the implant, the pocket will be created either in front, partially behind, or completely behind the chest wall muscle.

After the pocket has been created, the surgeon will place the breast implant. During breast augmentation, the implant can be selected so that it is either filled prior to the surgery, or so that it is filled once it has been placed.

If the implant must be filled, the plastic surgeon will fill it, otherwise, after the implant is placed, the breast augmentation is complete, and the surgeon will close the incision and place bandages around the area to aid the healing process.

After breast augmentation surgery, you will be able to return home to recover. After a few days of healing, the gauze will be removed from the area, but you will still wear a surgical bra as directed by the plastic surgeon. Stitches or sutures will be removed after a week or so, and any bruising or swelling should subside after a few weeks.

For a few weeks your breasts may be sore, but light activity and work can be resumed after just a couple days of rest. Your plastic surgeon will inform you of how long after breast augmentation surgery you should wait to resume some normal activities and exercise.

Scarring from breast augmentation surgery should lessen as the healing process continues, but good placement of the incision and the natural creases or folds of the body should conceal any scars.