Breast augmentation is also known as augmentation mammaplasty. It involves the use of implants to fulfil your desire for fuller breasts. It also helps to restore the breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy. According to the statistics collected by the American Society of Plastic Surgery, breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic surgery procedure performed in U.S.
Preparation
Lab tests are done, certain medicines are prescribed, mammogram is taken and instructions regarding the use of aspirin, alcohol, cigarettes, etc are given by the doctor.
Two types of breast implants are used in breast augmentation. They are saline implants and silicone implants. The saline implants have a silicone elastomer shell. The interior is filled with sterile saline solution. On the other hand silicone implants have silicone shell filled with silicone gel.
Saline implants are filled after insertion into the breast while the silicone implants are pre-filled. As the saline implants are filled after insertion it results in minimum scar, but they are more likely to cause other cosmetic problems like wrinkling, rippling and in some cases becomes noticeable to the eye or touch.
The implants are inserted through different incisions, the choice of which depends on your preferences, anatomy and your surgeon’s recommendation.
Areola incision- This is the most popularly adopted breast implant incision site. This is because it camouflages the scar, as the incision is made along the edge where the dark and light areas meet. The scar left after insertion heals nicely. The breast implants are best manipulated when this incision site is used. To protect the breast ducts when implants are inserted protective “sleeves” are used.
Underarm incision- It is also known as transaxillary breast implant incision. The site of incision is armpit. A channel is made from the incision site to the breast through which the implant is inserted into the breast and positioned. The advantage of this procedure is that leaves the breast scar less. The major disadvantage is that, if a patient needs revision surgery, the original incision cannot be used. Another disadvantage of this incision site is that it cannot be used for the insertion of silicone implant, as it is pre-filled and cannot be compressed for proper placement.
Under breast incision- The incision is site is below the breast along the natural crease. In this case also the scar is not visible as it is along the natural crease.
The incisions are then closed by using fine, dissolving sutures. The incision site is taped for better support.
The entire procedure takes upto 1.5 hours and is done under general anesthesia. It requires an overnight stay at the hospital. The post-surgical recovery period is 24-28 hours. The incision site should not be subjected to motion, excessive force or abrasion. One should keep away from strenuous activities for atleast 2 weeks. The swelling and redness at the incision site decreases with time and can resume the normal activities on the direction of your plastic surgeon.
The potential risks includes capsular contracture, rupture of implants, bleeding, wrinkling,asymmetry of the breasts, etc.
The breast augmentation usually gives long-lasting results. It also gives a boost to the self confidence of a woman.