Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breast for a number of reasons
- To enhance the body contour of a woman who, for personal reasons, feels her breast size is too small
- To restore breast volume lost due to weight loss or following pregnancy.
- To achieve better symmetry when breasts are moderately disproportionate in size and shape
- To improve the shape of breasts that are sagging or have lost firmness, often used with a breast lift procedure
- To provide the foundation of a breast contour when a breast has been removed or disfigured by surgery to treat breast cancer
- To improve breast appearance or create the appearance of a breast that is missing or disfigured due to trauma, heredity, or congenital abnormalities.
A very common complaint among women of all ages, races and body types is that their breasts are small or not big enough. Some women are born with small breast and lack breast fat and breast tissue. Some women see the size of their breast decreased after pregnancy and breast feeding. Some other women may see that the size of their breast reduces over time and the breast fat and tissue are reduced.
Regardless of the cause of the small breasts, breast augmentation provides women with a way to enlarge and enhance their breasts in one simple surgical procedure.
Before deciding on breast augmentation it is very important to talk to your breast augmentation surgeon about your goals, what type of breast implants and breast augmentation technique would work best for you and about what to expect from breast augmentation surgery. It is important to keep in mind that your new bigger breast should be in proportion with your body frame in order to achieve optimal results.
By inserting an implant behind each breast, surgeons are able to increase a woman's bustline by one or more bra cup sizes. If you're considering breast augmentation, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please ask your surgeon if there is anything you don't understand about the procedure.
Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
Who is the Best Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
The best candidates for breast augmentation are women who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you're physically healthy and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good Types of Implants.
The choice of implant filler, implant size, shape and other features will be determined based on your breast anatomy, body type and your desired increase in size.
Your lifestyle, goals and personal preferences, as well your Cosmetic surgeon's recommendations and sound surgical judgment are also determining factors. Implant manufacturers occasionally introduce new styles and types of implants, and therefore there may be additional options available to you.
Breast implants are medical devices with a solid silicone, rubber shell.
The implant shell may be filled with either saline solution (sterile salt water) or elastic silicone gel. Both saline and silicone gel breast implants approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Approval means that an implant has been rigorously researched and tested, and reviewed by an independent panel of physicians for safety.
The size of a breast implant is measured in cubic centimeters (ccs) based on the volume of the saline or silicone filler.
Breast implants vary both by filler and in size, but there are additional features to consider:
- Texture: the implant shell may be smooth or textured Shape: the implant may have a round profile or one that is anatomic (teardrop or tapered shape)
- Profile: the implant may have a low, medium or high projection (the depth of the implant from the base to the highest point of the implant curve)
- Diameter: the width of the implant measured across it's base (the side of the implant that will be positioned over the chest wall)
Adult women of any age can benefit greatly from the enhancement breast implants provide. It is usually recommended, however, that a woman's breasts are fully developed prior to placement of breast implants. Saline implants are FDA approved for augmentation in women 18 years of age and older. Silicone implants are FDA approved for augmentation in women age 22 and older. Saline or silicone implants may be recommended at a younger age if used for reconstruction purposes.
You should be aware that breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants. Regular examinations for breast health and to evaluate the condition of your implants are important whether you have chosen saline or silicone breast implants.
Saline implants
Saline implants can be inflated to the desired size with sterile saline. They are inserted during surgery completely empty, and the surgeon fills them with saline solution during surgery.
Since the implants are empty when they are surgically inserted,the scar is slightly smaller than is necessary for silicone gel breast implants (which are filled with silicone before the surgery is performed).
All implants, including saline implants, vary in shape, volume, expandability, shell thickness and shell surface. Therefore, they are easy to customize to your overall body height, weight, chest length, chest width, and current amount of breast tissue.
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants are filled with a fixed amount of silicone gel. Silicone implants vary in shell surface (smooth/textured), shape, volume, and shell thickness. Most silicone gel-filled implants are not adjustable.
Recently, an improved form of gel was developed. This newer type of silicone gel implant is called cohesive gel. These cohesive gel implants can retain their shape even if the shell ruptures, since they are slightly thicker in consistency.
Silicone gel-filled breast implants are now available for all women age 22 years and up. Our Cosmetic surgeons are very experienced in the use of silicone implants and was an FDA breast implant investigator. He was involved in FDA studies of both Mentor and Inamed silicone breast implants.
Many breast enlargement patients believe that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants. This is because silicone gel has a texture that is more similar to breast tissue.
Some patients choose saline implants because they cost less than silicone implants. When you come in for a consultation with silicon valley cosmetic surgeon, you will have an opportunity to compare and see how each type of breast implant feels.
Saline implants also have some disadvantages compared to silicone implants. Ruptures can happen more suddenly than in silicone gel implants. Some women feel the movement of the saline solution as a discomfort.
Both types of breast implants require maintenance. The Jeunederm cosmetic surgeon will inform you of what this involves. Also, when you have a mammogram, be sure to inform the technician that you have breast implants.
Planning Your Surgery
During your breast augmentation consultation your breast augmentation surgeon will examine you and let you know If you are a good candidate for breast augmentation. He or she may require additional blood work and x-rays to make sure that you a good candidate for breast augmentation.
During your breast augmentation consultation your surgeon may show you before and after pictures or use special software so that you can visualize the possible outcome of your breast augmentation surgery. Then you and your breast augmentation surgeon will discuss the size, shape, type of implant and technique to use for your breast augmentation.
Your breast augmentation surgeon may show you the different kinds of breast implants available and may ask you to try different sizes and shapes of implant on your bra so that you have a better idea of how your larger breasts may look like after surgery.
Breast Augmentation: Finding The Right Size
Breast augmentation will give a woman bigger breasts in one simple surgical procedure. It is very important to have realistic expectations about the size that is best suited for each body frame. There are a number of factors that will determine and limit the size that a breast can be enlarged.
Your breast augmentation surgeon will examine your breast tissue and skin and also your skin's elasticity and body frame to determine and recommended the breast size that is recommended for you and how big you can go.
For patients where there is less skin on the breast and for whose skin's is inelastic; if they decide to go too big they will have a greater risk of developing stretch marks and having a more painful and lengthier recovery. For these cases your breast augmentation surgeon may recommend a smaller size of implant but with a higher profile so that the breasts stand out and look perkier without being too big for you.
Your plastic surgeon will let you know how big you can go without causing extreme stretching on the skin. Please keep your expectations realistic. If the size that your breast augmentation surgeon recommends for you is not what you expected, talk to him or her about different breast profiles available for you. The different profiles will allow you to get the results you desire without going too big on your breasts.
Your surgeon should also explain the type of anesthesia to be used, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved. Because most insurance companies do not consider breast augmentation to be medically necessary, carriers generally do not cover the cost of this procedure.
Your surgeon will give you instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. A mammogram may be recommended prior to your procedure to ensure breast health and serve as a baseline for future comparison.
In addition to explaining your surgical procedure, you surgeon will discuss anesthesia, the recovery process and your obligations as a patient. You will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks and potential complications of your surgery. There may be a waiting period of several days to weeks from the time of your consent to the day of surgery.
Breast Augmentation and Saggy Breast
If you suffer from saggy breast and excess skin on the breast, your breast augmentation surgery and recover may be easier for you.
When there is excess skin on the breasts, it is simpler for the breast augmentation surgeon to create and shape the breast since the patient's skin does not need to stretch as much to hold the new and enlarged breasts.
Breast Augmentation and Breast Anatomy Introduction
Breast Augmentation is one of the most common elective surgical procedures performed annually by members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, otherwise referred to as Breast Enhancement and Breast Implant Surgery. The growing popularity of this surgery is due to an increase in the number of women that choose to have their breasts augmented and enlarged via surgery. In addition, there are now more options to choose from when considering a breast implant surgery. Researching qualified, accredited, plastic surgeons in your area and setting up a consultation are the first steps to your new physique.
Breast Augmentation: The Right Choice for Many Women
Breast augmentation and implant surgery performed by an accredited plastic surgeon is the most popular way for women to improve breast shape and size and enhance their figures.
Women decide to have their breasts enlarged for a number of personal reasons to improve the shape and size of their breasts to achieve a fuller, larger more proportionate look and feel.
Breast volume and shape change for a number of reasons, such as: age, re-construction after a mastectomy, weight gain or loss, to correct physical deformities, pregnancy, childbirth and breast-feeding. Women seek breast enhancement and breast implant surgery to add proportion and dimension and improve their body image.
Important Factors and Surgical Overview
Breast augmentation is considered an out-patient surgery in most cases and can be performed within a surgical suite set up in the Plastic Surgeon’s office or in a hospital. Implant surgery takes between 2 – 4 hours and requires anesthesia to perform the surgery. Many people choose to have the surgery in a hospital, where additional and separate will apply.
Local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing breast augmentation, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances. Medications are administered for comfort during the surgical procedure.
Post surgery, breast augmentation patients are taken into a recovery area and closely monitored. The breast area is tightly wrapped in gauze dressings or a surgical bra. The surgical wrap is removed after a few days, however special sports (without under-wires) bras should be worn for a month or 28 days. Wait at least a month before purchasing new bras, especially ones that have under-wires for proper fitting.
Most breast augmentation patients are permitted to go home after a few hours and the recovery period will take about a week.
Individual factors and personal preferences between you and the plastic surgeon will determine your appropriate breast size, the location of incisions, and whether the implants will be placed on top of or underneath the chest muscle.
Breast Augmentation Considerations
Breast augmentation, mammoplasty or breast enlargement surgery is relatively safe and aside from initial pain and discomfort from the implant placement, there are few side effects. Breast implant side effects are different to surgical complications, which are occurrences that go wrong during the procedure. Certain side effects can be related to the anesthesia during surgery or the prescribed medications and or not following the surgeon’s orders during the healing process, after surgery.
There will be pain and swelling associated with the surgical enlargement of the breast area, because the muscle and breast tissue will contract to accommodate the silicone or saline implant placement either behind the breast tissue or under the chest muscle to increase the size and to add shape and fullness. This procedure causes some muscle spasms that can cause discomfort in the days following breast enlargement surgery.
Side effects are to be expected as they are part of the healing process after surgery. Medications should be taken as prescribed to allow the proper healing to take place and to manage the pain after surgery. Make sure to follow the instructions and take it as needed for swelling, a common side effect of any kind of surgery. The surgeon will provide the proper, supportive surgical garments. It is important to wear them 24/7 for the duration recommended by the surgeon. Sleeping in a reclined position, this may also help swelling to subside quicker and prevent some post-surgical side effects.
After surgery, bruising around the implant area and under the arms is normal. However, contact your surgeon if you notice any firm, large and painful areas referred to as hematomas. They are abnormal in appearance and require medical treatment to avoid any additional complications. Expect to have small incision scars; they are inevitable with breast enlargement surgery. Proper healing will reduce the size of the scars. Avoid certain strained movements and stretching for up to 30 days. Topical medications will minimize the scarring.
Any surgical procedure where incisions are made, introduces the possibility of bacterial infection, which is why it is important to follow post-surgical procedures. Signs of infection are: redness, warmth, localized swelling, tenderness and possibly fever. Be sure to keep the incisions clean, as prescribed and be aware of the signs of infection. If infection is recognized, it can be treated with antibiotics, which prevent more serious complications.
Preparing For Your Surgery
While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days, if needed.
Where Your Surgery Will Be Performed
Your surgeon may prefer to perform the operation in an office facility, a freestanding surgery center, or a hospital outpatient facility. Occasionally, the surgery may be done as an inpatient in a hospital, in which case you can plan on staying for a day or two.
Types of Anesthesia
Breast augmentation can be performed with a general anesthesia, so you'll sleep through the entire operation. Some surgeons may use a local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy, so you'll be relaxed but awake, and may feel some discomfort.
The Surgery
The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your anatomy and your surgeon's recommendation. The incision can be made either in the crease where the breast meets the chest, around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple), or in the armpit. In addition, a saline implant may be placed through an incision at the navel. Every effort will be made to assure that the incision is placed so resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible.
Working through the incision, the surgeon will lift your breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, either directly behind the breast tissue (submammary or subglandular placement) or may be placed beneath the pectoral muscle and on top of the chest wall (submuscular placement). Once the implant is positioned within this pocket, the incisions are closed with sutures, skin adhesive and/or surgical tape. A gauze bandage may be applied over your breasts to help with healing.
The surgery usually takes one to two hours to complete. You'll want to discuss the pros and cons of these alternatives with your doctor before surgery to make sure you fully understand the implications of the procedure he or she recommends for you.
After Your Surgery
You're likely to feel tired and sore for a few days following your surgery, but you'll be up and around in 24 to 48 hours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication prescribed by your doctor.
Within several days, the gauze dressings, if you have them, will be removed, and you may be given a surgical bra. You should wear it as directed by your surgeon. You may also experience a burning sensation in your nipples for about two weeks, but this will subside as bruising fades.
Your stitches will come out in a week to 10 days, but the swelling in your breasts may take three to five weeks to disappear.
You should be able to return to work within a few days, depending on the level of activity required for your job.
Follow your surgeon's advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct stimulation for two to three weeks, so you should avoid much physical contact. After that, breast contact is fine once your breasts are no longer sore, usually three to four weeks after surgery.
Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months, or even appear to widen. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely.
Routine mammograms should be continued after breast augmentation for women who are in the appropriate age group, although the mammographic technician should use a special technique to assure that you get a reliable reading, as discussed earlier.
A patient will most likely feel sore after breast augmentation surgery. Your plastic/ cosmetic surgeon will prescribe you with pain medications to manage any pain and discomfort. In most cases, breast augmentation patients are able to return home the same day. It is required that you have someone drive you home and recommended that someone stays with you at least the first night after breast augmentation surgery since you may feel dizzy, weak and may experience limited mobility.
You may also feel that the skin on your breasts is tight. As time passes by the skin will stretch to accommodate the new and larger breasts. This feeling should go away after a few weeks.
Your activities will be restricted for about 1 to 2 weeks. During this time the patient must abstain from exercising and lifting heavy objects. It is also recommended that in the case of round breast implants, the patient massages the breasts for at least 6 weeks after breast augmentation surgery. By doing this, the patient will help keep the breasts soft and reduces the risk of capsular contracture.
After surgery, your breast augmentation surgeon will also explain how to properly care for your new breasts, what medications you need to take and what kind of compression garment you need to wear. Following these instructions will help you achieve a smooth and fast recovery from your breast augmentation surgery.
Breast Augmentation After Pregnancy
Breast augmentation surgeons recommend that it is appropriate to have breast augmentation from 3 months to 6 months after giving birth. This time differs based on the breast augmentation's preference and the patient's individual case. It is also recommended that the patient is back to their pre-baby weight, is no longer breastfeeding and no longer experiences milky breast discharge. In some cases it might be recommended to wait 9 months after giving birth before getting breast augmentation.
Women experience a lot of changes during and after pregnancy on their bodies. The breast volume changes and some conditions, such as saggy breast may correct themselves over times. Committing to a breast augmentation surgery before the body has stopped changing may leave the patient with undesirable results.
All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk
Breast augmentation is relatively straight forward. But as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.
The most common problem, capsular contracture, occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This squeezing of the soft implant can cause the breast to feel hard. Capsular contracture can be treated in several ways, and sometimes requires either removal or "scoring" of the scar tissue, or perhaps removal or replacement of the implant.
As with any surgical procedure, excessive bleeding following the operation may cause some swelling and pain. If excessive bleeding continues, another operation may be needed to control the bleeding and remove the accumulated blood.
A small percentage of women develop an infection around an implant. This may occur at any time, but is most often seen within a week after surgery. In some cases, the implant may need to be removed for several months until the infection clears. A new implant can then be inserted.
Some women report that their nipples become oversensitive, undersensitive, or even numb. You may also notice small patches of numbness near your incisions. These symptoms usually disappear within time, but may be permanent in some patients.
Breast implants do not generally interfere with a woman's ability to breast feed, or present a health hazard during pregnancy to a woman or her baby. However, pregnancy and the associated changes to a woman's body may alter the results of any breast surgery, including surgery to place breast implants. Therefore, it is important to discuss the options of breast implant surgery with your surgeon if you are interested in becoming pregnant and breast feeding in the future.
Occasionally, breast implants may break or leak. Rupture can occur as a result of injury or even from the normal compression and movement of your breast and implant, causing the man-made shell to leak.
If a saline-filled implant breaks, the implant will deflate in a few hours and the salt water will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body.
If a silicone-gel filled implant leak or break, the elastic silicone gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket (a capsule of tissue that surrounds the implant). A leaking implant filled with silicone gel may not deflate and may not be noticeable except through imaging techniques such as an MRI. For this reason, a woman with silicone breast implants is advised to visit her surgeon annually to assess that her implants are functioning well. An ultrasound exam or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants; after 3 years it is recommended that all silicone implants be properly screened.
Getting Back to Normal
For many women, the result of breast augmentation can be satisfying, even exhilarating, as they learn to appreciate their fuller appearance.
Even if you believe your implants are functioning well, it is important that you follow-up as directed with your surgeon to assess the condition of your breast implants. In addition, whether you choose to have breast implants or not, it is essential to your health that you practice a monthly breast self-exam and schedule regular diagnostic breast screenings.
Your New Look
Your decision to have breast augmentation is a highly personal one that not everyone will understand. The important thing is how you feel about it. If you've met your goals, then your surgery is a success.
More Before & After Gallery
Breast Implants Anatomy
The physical anatomy of your body, your weight and frame should dictate implant size. Selecting the right size implant is one of the most important anatomical decisions to ensure proper proportion and satisfaction with the post-operative procedure. If the selected implant is too large, then it may be visible through the skin after the operation, and it may appear and feel less natural.
An implant, which is surgically placed under the chest wall, contains an exterior sac or shell. The plastic surgeon will the patient’s anatomy and evaluate the existing breast tissue to determine if the patient has enough tissue for the surgery. The doctor will also give suggestions on the proper size of the implant based upon the natural composition of the breast and area.
Breast Sensitivity
Post operative breast sensitivity is a concern for prospective surgical implant patients. Although overly-sensitive nipples often result from breast implant surgery, that symptom will go away over time. Use a non-alcohol-based moisturizer or breast-feeding lotion around the breast area, especially if the surgery required areola incisions. Wear light-weight cotton or silky tops until the sensitivity dies down. Likewise, lack of sensitivity after breast augmentation is an even greater anxiety. Because nipple sensation is important to most women, they fear they may lose all sensitivity in the area. Some nipple sensation loss may be experienced, but it is rare. Typically nipple sensation is restored after the body heals and returns to a normal state. This process may take more than a month.
Breast Implants and the FDA
Various forms of breast implant and augmentation surgeries have been performed since the 1800’s. In those early operations, however, the materials were a severe contrast to the feel and texture of the silicone and saline implants used today. Silicone gel implants have been on the market since 1962. Initially, these implants were silicone shells filled with a silicone gel and the leading manufacturer was Dow Corning. In 1995, Dow Corning halted production and filed for bankruptcy after 19,000 lawsuits filed by women who proclaimed to have a range of medical difficulties caused by the silicone gel. This caused The Food and Drug Administration to become involved. Today, the FDA has approved both leading manufacturers of silicone gel implants, Mentor Corporation and Allergan imposing some restrictions and limitations for breast reconstruction and cosmetic breast augmentation.
Achieve a better you: Find Out More About This Procedure!
Choosing to have this procedure is an important decision. Like any other medical procedure, breast augmentation provides different benefits, risks, and considerations. Making an informed decision is a very important part of the process. It will not only assure that you are getting all the benefits from this procedure, but it will also help you find the right surgeon for you; increase your chances of having a smooth recovery; obtaining the best results and achieving complete personal satisfaction.
Use the menu options on the left of our site to learn more, including if you are a good candidate. Then you can review all the information on our site and decide if you are ready to get breast augmentation. If you are sure about the procedure and that you want to get it done; the next step is to find that you want to perform your procedure. Visit the different physicians websites, read their credentials and browse their before and after photos. Once you have chosen a surgeon the next step is to schedule a consultation. In most cases you can call the doctor's office or send them an e-mail or use a contact form on their site to find out more information or schedule a consultation.
During the consultation; you will be examined and you can talk to your surgeon about how the procedure will be performed; what to expect, how long it takes, how long is the recovery process and if there are any special considerations about you case. Make sure that all your questions are answered and that you are fully aware of all possible complications and have realistic expectations about the results that can be obtained.
In some cases, a person might not be a good candidate for the procedure, the procedure may represent big risks for them or the results that can be achieved might not be significant. In this case you can explore with your doctor other alternatives to breast augmentation that can give you similar results without any problems. Please keep in mind that every person is different and that each body can react differently to each procedure. That is why is so imperative that an expert and skilled specialist evaluates your case and performs this procedure.
If you are unsure about getting breast augmentation; you can continue your research, talk to accountancies that may have had this procedure. People who have had this procedure done can tell you more about their experience, how they feel about the procedure and the doctor that performed. In some cases a second opinion from another physician can answer questions; clear doubts and help you make a clearer decision.
After your procedure remember that all recoveries are different. If someone you know has had breast augmentation performed they can let you know about their experience but it does not mean that your results will be the same, not that your recovery will be the same either. Some people are more sensitive to pain that others, some recover faster while others recover slowly; and in very few cases there may be complications. Having the best physicians will lower your changes of complications and increase your chances of success.