The Facts about Breast Augmentation Surgery

The Facts about Breast Augmentation Surgery

Has pregnancy, injury, illness or even just aging left you feeling dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts?

If so, you may be the perfect candidate for breast augmentation surgery.

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgery that places implants to increase fullness and projection of the breasts.

It can be done for reconstructive purposes, such as after an injury or mastectomy for breast cancer, or for cosmetic reasons to enhance self-image and self-confidence.

So what are the facts about breast augmentation surgery? They’re pretty straightforward and simple, really.

We’ll start by taking a look at the implants.

Silicone Implants Vs. Saline Implants

It’s not really a competition.

In fact, there is little to even no discernible difference between the appearance of breasts augmented with silicone implants over those with saline implants.

Both silicone and saline implants involve a silicone shell that is either smooth or textured.

In the case of silicone implants, the shell comes from the manufacturer filled with a pre-determined amount of silicone gel. The implant is then surgically placed.

Many patients claim that silicone implants feel the most like natural breast tissue.

By contrast, with a saline implant, the silicone shell is inserted into the body first and then filled with saline to its desired volume by the surgeon.

Even so, both cases require the same size incision.

However, saline has the consistency of water so there is a slightly greater chance of visible rippling or wrinkling with saline implants. This is far less likely to be apparent when the implants are placed under the pectoral muscle or in the dual plane position (under the gland and lower border of the pectoralis major muscle.)

When choosing between silicone and saline implants, each has its own distinct advantages depending on your situation. It’s important you get a thorough examination and then sit down with your surgeon to discuss which option is better for you based on your unique needs.

It should also be noted that because breasts continue to develop in women until they are in their late teens or early 20s, the FDA requires that women be at least 18 years old to get saline implant breast augmentation and at least 22 years of age to receive silicone implants.

Incision Options

If you’re hoping to don a bathing suit or sports bra again, then be sure to find a board-certified surgeon who offers sub-muscular breast implant placement.

This procedure offers the most natural look while greatly minimizing the appearance of obvious implants. Plus, breast implants placed underneath the muscle do not interfere with mammograms.

There are two common types of incisions for breast augmentation: periareolar and inframammary.

Periareolar

 This incision is made along the inferior border of the areola. The surgeon then inserts the implant in the breast pocket. This method offers excellent scar quality which is difficult to see after it heals at the junction between the pigmented areola and breast.

There is virtually no risk of losing nipple sensation because the nerve to the nipple does not come through the skin. Instead, it travels along the ribcage and through the gland to the nipple. This is important for women who plan to breastfeed in the future.

Inframammary

With this incision, the cut is made along the inframammary fold – which is the crease of skin underneath the breast. There is very little risk of losing nipple sensation with an inframammary incision.

In the case of both incision types, the surgeon can typically reuse the incision in the event of any needed re-operations. And because of its location, the scar is relatively or even completely unnoticeable.

Recovering from Breast Augmentation Surgery

Should you opt for this surgery, it’s reasonable to expect 5-7 days for recovery.

This doesn’t mean you’ll be laid out flat during this time. In fact, patients are encouraged to ambulate the same day or day after the surgery. But rest is important and there should be no heavy lifting or pushing whatsoever.

You will need a follow-up appointment during that time as well so your surgeon can monitor the incision sites to ensure they’re healing correctly.

Implants can last for many years and do not need to be changed unless in the rare event that there is a problem.

Now You Know the Facts about Breast Augmentation

Knowing the facts about breast augmentation will help you when it comes time to find the right surgeon.

Choosing a board-certified surgeon with many years of experience will strongly lessen the likelihood that you’ll have complications down the road.

So if you’re considering breast augmentation, contact us today to work with highly experienced surgeons who are thorough and will listen closely to your desires.

Once you provide us with the necessary information, we will perform a full assessment of your body to help you determine what size and shape implant will best meet all of your needs.