Breast Augmentation
Cosmetic Breast surgery
Cosmetic breast surgery has been one of the most performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the world. This include breast enlargement with implants (breast augmentation), breast reduction, and drooping breast lift. The purpose of cosmetic breast surgery is to obtain more attractive, full and youthful looking breast.
Breast augmentation may be achieved with manufactured breast implant made of silicone or plastic filled with saline (sterile salt water). The implants are inserted under the breast tissue through a small incision made either under the breast fold, around the nipple, through belly button, or armpit.
The implants can be placed under the chest muscle (sub muscular), on top of the chest muscle (subglandular), or inside the chest muscle tissue(subfacial). The pros and cons of each option can be discussed with your surgeon.
The size of the implant is usually determined based on many factors including the amount of breast tissue, loose skin, width of the breast, size of the patient including height, weight and body frame. These factors will be evaluated by the surgeon and with the help of the patient an appropriate size is selected.
Breast augmentation can be performed under general anesthesia, mild sedation or even local anesthesia. Each technique has its advantages and disadvantages and a surgeon may feel more comfortable one or more of these techniques. Cosmetic breast augmentation is a same day surgery procedure where the patient goes home after the surgery. The surgery may take 1-2 hours.
depending on the port of approach to breast augmentation with, suture may or may not have to be removed. For example, approach through nipple area usually needs no suture removal unless otherwise indicated. The sutures are under the skin and will dissolve with time, where incision in the armpit may require suture removal in about 5-7 days.
The patient is sent home with special sport bra or similar bandages to hold the breast in a desired place while healing. There may by additional wraps that the patient is required to wear on top of the bra for several weeks to control the position of the implants as the area heals.
Utilizing new techniques in local anesthesia, the initial discomfort after the surgery has been virtually reduced to minimum. The patients are seen one or two days after the procedure and are evaluated for any potential issues like collection of fluid (seroma) or other untoward issues and inspection of the implants and incision sites. The patient can start massaging the implants one week after the surgery (this is a must to avoid development of contracture of the capsule). This maneuver should be continued for the life of the implants. The patient can go back in one week and light activities can be resumed. It takes about 2-3 months for new breast to assume the natural look and for the implants to descent into the desired position. Scars take 6 months to 2 years to flatten and fade away.
All the potential risks and benefits of this procedure can be discussed at the time of consultation. As with all surgical procedures, breast augmentation has its own specific risks. The minor complications do not affect the outcome and major complications are very unususal.