Overview of Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is a plastic surgery procedure designed to enhance the size and fullness of the breasts. Breast augmentation is performed in women with naturally small breasts as well as to reconstruct the breasts after injury or mastectomy, and may enhance your self-image and self-confidence. Breast augmentation does not correct severely drooping breasts, where a breast lift procedure is performed in conjunction with breast augmentation.
The Breast Augmentation Procedure
After arriving in the operating room, an anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia for the procedure. The surgeon will then make an incision to place the breast implant. The three most commonly used incisions are areolar (near the darker around the nipple), transaxillary (armpit), and inframammary (under the breast). These incisions are designed to minimize visible scarring, and the type of incision used is based on the implant type, patient anatomy, and personal preference.
During the breast augmentation procedure, breast implants are used to increase the size of the breasts and improve their shape. The implants used are either filled with saline or silicone gel. Saline implants use a saline (salt water) filling to create the size of implant desired. Silicone implants use a gel filling to create the size and shape of the implant. The advantage of silicone implants is that they generally look and feel more like natural breast tissue. The disadvantage is that the gel may will remain in the breast tissue if a rupture should occur. If a rupture should occur with saline implants, the saline is naturally resorbed by the breast tissue. In general, the type of implant used is based on factors including desired increase in size, body type, and breast anatomy. You may discuss the advantages and disadvantages to each implant type during your consultation with your plastic surgeon. (For more information, please see the FDA Website for Consumer Information on Breast Implants).
In general, implants are placed under the chest muscle to hide the superior portion better and to make mammography easier. The incision site is then closed by the surgeon using sutures.
A sports bra is typically worn for the first 4 to 8 weeks following surgery.
General Risks of Surgery Include:
- risks of anesthesia
- blood clots after or during surgery
- post-operative pain
- cardiac and pulmonary complications
Risks of Breast Augmentation Surgery Include:
- infection or poor healing of the incision
- bleeding
- unfavorable scars
- altered sensation in the nipple
- rippling or wrinkling of the implant
- asymmetry
- capsular contracture (where breast tissue contracts around the implant)
- implant deflation
- the possibility of a need for revision of the surgery
Recovery from Breast Augmentation Surgery
After breast augmentation surgery, you are likely to experience pain and swelling for the first 2 to 3 days. Your pain will be controlled with pain medications. The soreness and swelling may continue for a period of a few weeks, and a sports bra is typically worn for the first 4 to 8 weeks following surgery.
You will have a post-operative follow up appointment after your surgery. Your surgeon will give you instructions at this time on when exercise and normal activity can resume. He will also give you information on when bandages and sutures may be removed. The swelling and scar lines associated with breast augmentation surgery will decrease over time.
Useful Information on Breast Augmentation
• Breast Augmentation Info from American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• Breast Augmentation Info from the NIH
• Cosmetic Breast Surgery Info from the NIH
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