Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical enhancement procedure to accentuate the size and shape of a woman's breasts. While breast augmentation will make the breasts larger, the surgery will not move the breasts closer together or lift sagging breasts. Breast augmentation is a tremendous help to patients who desire a fuller profile, who have lost breast volume due to pregnancy or nursing and want to gain a more natural look again.

Reasons for Considering Breast Augmentation:

Enhance body shape if breasts are too small.
Increase breast volume after pregnancy and nursing.
Equalize a difference in breast size (cup size) to gain breast symmetry.

General Procedure

Breast augmentation involves making a small incision to insert a breast implant into the breast area in order to enlarge the breast. The surgery is commonly performed on an outpatient basis at a hospital or state-of-the-art surgical unit while the patient is under a general anesthesia and asleep. There are several possible locations for the small incision that will be used for inserting the breast implant. The most frequent technique utilizes an incision made in the lower portion of the breast. Another technique involves making an incision in the armpit (transaxillary endoscopic approach). A third technique makes an incision around the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). The best technique will be decided together between the patient and the surgeon during the consultation.

During surgery, the breast tissue is raised to create an open pocket under the breast tissue or beneath the pectoralis muscle. Inserting an implant behind each breast can increase a woman's breast size by one or more bra cup sizes. Implants contain a saline solution or silicone gel. In some circumstances, particularly those in which there is breast asymmetry (uneven breast size), the surgeon may adjust the level of inflation to attain better breast symmetry and balance. Surgery typically lasts 1 to 3 hours.

Recovery Process

Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. Bandages are applied right after surgery to aid the healing process and to minimize movement of the breasts. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with the surgery. This pain can be treated effectively with oral medication. While complications are rare, you should discuss the risks with your plastic surgeon prior to proceeding with surgery. It is important to be well-informed ahead of time. Patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions given by the physician after surgery.

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