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Breast Implants

Information about Augmentation Mammoplasty

Augmentation Mammoplasty is an specific term for breast augmentation, breast enhancement or breast enlargement. This breast surgery involves placing silicone or saline breast implants in a certain part of the area involved: behind the breast tissue or under the chest muscle to increase size or improve shape of  the breast. Breast augmentation can be performed in order to make smaller breasts seem to be larger, renovate the balance of breasts that are asymmetrical, or restore fullness that has decreased due to age or because of pregnancy.

Young women under the age of 18 are generally considered not to be good candidates for breast implants because the breasts continue to develop on into the early twenties.

The procedure

To begin the procedure, it is made an incision in one of four main locations:

• The crease of the breast (inframammary incision)
• The perimeter of the areola  (peri-areolar incision)
• The arm pit (transaxillary incision), or
• The navel area (trans-umbilical or TUBA incision).

A discreet incision placement is one of the most important priorities in breast implant placement surgery. Although scars can fade significantly over time, they never completely disappear. Thus, the place of the incision is decided on a case-by-case basis, according to the individual anatomy and the preferences of the patient.

• Sub-glandular or above the pectoral muscles implant placement (positioning of the implant in front of the chest muscle and directly behind the breast tissue)
• Sub-muscular implant placement (positioning of the implant under the pectoral muscle)

Some surgeons advise placing the implant in front of the pectoral muscle during surgery because this method tends to lessen postoperative pain and discomfort. Other specialists recomend placing the implant under the pectoral muscle in order to avoid interference with future mammograms.

Once  the implant  has been placed, the incision is cautiously sutured. If stitches used are the traditional variety, they are removed in one or two weeks,  if are absorbable, they dissolved on their own in the same term.

In some cases, the surgeon places drainage tubes to minimize swelling and bruising. If drainage tubes are used, they are removed within a few days.

Anesthesia: In most cases, surgery is performed with general anesthesia (the patient is asleep). Although, the anesthesiologist may advice to use sedatives to put the patient to sleep and keep them sedated until the surgery is complete. The patient will not be able to hear, see, or feel anything that is going on during the operation.

Length: Typically one to three hours.

After the surgery

The breasts will be bruised, sore and swollen after operation. The patient is expect to wear a special surgical bra for some days. There may be some moderate pain, but that can be managed by a medicine prescription from the plastic surgeon. The surgeon may advice to wear an support or sport bra until the swelling has subsided.

The nipples sensation might be reduced for the time being, but it should return to normal as the breasts heal.

It is extremely important to keep the area around the stitches clean. Avoid submerging your incision site in water and do not let dirt or products come in contact with the area. You should also avoid any strenuous activity, lifting, or stretching that could pull the sutures. This will prolong healing time and make your scar more noticeable.

After healing, some permanent scarring will remain. Scars are usually small and not noticeable.

Returning to Normal Routine

Heavy lifting or straining should be avoided after surgery because this can cause the breasts to swell and increase pressure. You can typically return to work within a week and to full activity within a few weeks.

What are the possible side-effects and complications?

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although there potentially may be complications with breast implants, they do not impair breast health. Some of the risks and potential complications that can occur are infection, skin discoloration and/or swelling, changes in nipple or breast sensation, capsular contracture and implant leakage or rupture.

What can be expected from a Breast augmentation surgery?

• The size of the breasts is enhanced by the procedure.
• Two breasts with different size can be balanced.
• In those women that due to aging or pregnancy, it restores the aspect of the breasts that lost their previous appearance. This procedure can be realized in combination with breasts lifting.

What can not be expected from a Breast augmentation surgery?

• To solve asymmetries in the position of the areolas or nipples.
• To lift hanging breasts.
• Both problems can be solved with a Lifting procedure which can be developed in combination. 

Other similar procedures:

Breast Reduction - Reduction mammaplasty or breast reduction surgery, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that surgically diminishes the size of excessively large breasts.

Breast Lift - As women age and their skin elasticity diminishes, their breasts tend to sag and lose their shape, resulting in drooping breasts. Breast lift, also called mastopexy, is a plastic surgery procedure which may restore firmness as well as shape to the breasts.

Last Update: 07/20/2010
Note: This information is directed to support and not to replace your doctor opinion.

Before and After Photos