Breast Enhancement
Is Breast Augmentation right for you?
Breast enhancement, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, can enhance
your appearance and your self-confidence, but it may not change your
looks to match your ideal. It is important to have realistic expectations
of how you will look and feel after your suregery. Before you decide
to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss
them with your surgeon. Some women tend to go too large. Think about
creating a balanced body, rather than looking like you have "large
breasts". The most important aspect is how you feel about it, not
how others view you.
Reasons for having breast enhancement surgery
- To enhance and balance the body contour of a woman who feels her
breast size is too small.
- As a reconstructive technique following breast surgery.
- To balance a difference in the sizes of breasts.
- To regain breast size due to less volume after pregnancy.
- As a reconstructive technique following breast surgery.
Types of breast implants
Silicone - Silicone gel filled breast implants are not currently available
to the general public due to lack of information on the safety of silicone.
The FDA is allowing silione implants only for women participating in
approved studies. Research has not proven a link between silicone breast
implants and diseases of the immune system, however, there have been
many reports of symptoms of scleroderma and other arthritis-like conditions.
These symptoms include fever, joint pain, fever, breast pain or fatigue.
Saline - Saline breast implants are readily available. For information
about saline implants, see your plastic surgeon.
About breast enhancement surgery
Depending on your body, the surgeon will insert the breast implant
through an incision made under your breast, around the areola or under
your armpit. The incision is made as small an inconspicous as possible.
The surgeon then creates a pocket by lifting your breast tissue and
skin. The breast implant is placed either directly behind the breast
tissue or underneath your chest wall muscle (the pectoral muscle). Some
plastic surgeons believe that placing the implants behind your chest
muscle reduces the possibility of capsular contracture (see Risks of
breast augmentation surgery). Placement behind the muscle may be more
painful (for a few days) than placement directly under the breast tissue.
The surgeon will then center the implants under your nipples.
You will be tired and sore for a few days after your surgery. You can
expect to be back up and getting around in 24 to 48 hours. Discomfort
and pain can can be controlled by medication prescribed by your physician.
You may be given a surgical bra. Wear it as directed by your surgeon.
You may also notice some burning in your nipples for about two weeks
until the bruising fades. Stitches will be removed in about 7 - 10 days.
You may experience swelling for up to five weks.
Risks of breast augmentation surgery
Capsular Contracture - Capsular contracture is the most common problem
assocaited with breast enlargement surgery. It occurs if the scar or
capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This squeezes the implant
and can cause it to feel hard. Capsular contracture treatment sometimes
requires removal of the scar tissue. The breast implant may also need
to be removed or replaced.
Infection - Infection occurs in a small percentage of breast enhancement
surgery patients. If an infection develops around the implant it is
usually detected within a week. The implant may need to be removed until
the infection is gone and then re-inserted.
Sensitivity Issues - Some women's nipples may become undersensitive,
oversensitive, or numb. Small patches of numbness can also occur near
your incisions. These symptoms usually disappear within time, but may
be permanent in some breasr augmentation patients.
Breakage - Breast implants may occassionally break or leak. If a saline
filled implant breaks, the implant will deflate in a few hours and the
salt water will be harmlessly absorbed by the body.
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