Breast Augmentation

Introduction

Breast enhancement surgery is a cosmetic procedure. It is chosen by women to augment the shape and size of breasts. This is also a procedure opted for by women who have had surgery to remove the breasts due to breast cancer or other pathologies. Women with uneven shapes of breasts, change of breasts due to age, pregnancy etc. may also feel the need for going under the knife for enhancement of breast shape and size. Mammoplasty or breast augmentation involves placement of an implant usually made of silicone. This silicone bag is placed within the breast tissue or under the chest muscles beneath the breasts.

Surgery procedure

Breast augmentation surgery is usually a minor surgery done in Day Care units taking around one to two hours to complete. Patient might be operated under general anesthesia where there is complete unconsciousness or under local anesthesia where the anesthetic is injected around the surgical site to numb the area. Some centers can also perform the operation under epidural anesthesia where an anesthetic injection is given between the vertebrae to numb the operative area. The incision is usually made under the crease of the breast, near the armpits or around the areola or the dark area around the nipple. The purpose of these incisions is to reduce the risk of visible scars. The silicone bag or implant is inserted within this incision under the breast tissue or under the chest muscles.

The silicone bag or implant is inserted within this incision under the breast tissue or under the chest muscles.

This silicone implant is usually filled with normal saline (salt water) or silicone gel. Usually saline is preferred because if the implant leaks or ruptures it can be absorbed safely. Sometimes breasts are also reshaped during mammoplasty. This literally means tightening of the breast skin in order to lift sagging breasts. After the implant is properly positioned and fixed and the shape of the breasts altered the incision is closed with fine stitches to aid in rapid healing and fine scars. Some drainage tubes may be placed in the incision line to drain excessive fluid. Finally the breasts are dressed in gauze and the patient may need to wear a special supportive bra or elastic bandages may be used to hold the breast. An overnight stay in the hospital may be needed. After the operation the stitches may be removed in a week or ten days. Breast augmentation surgery costs may vary considerably among different cosmetic surgeons, hospitals and plastic surgery clinics; you may want to consider doing a bit of research first into your breast augmentation surgery pricing with several plastic surgeons prior to making a decision.

Recuperation and post operative complications

Usually some soreness, swelling and pain may persist for while and can be relieved by the use of supportive bra and oral pain killers. Vigorous exercise or lifting heavy weights at least six weeks after the surgery is an absolute no-no.

If a silicone gel filled implant is inserted, one may need to get an MRI scan three years after the surgery and every two years thereafter in order to ensure that the implant has not ruptured or is not leaking. Breast implants may need to be replaced over time due to damage to the implants or change in the shape and size of the breasts.

Some risks associated with Mammoplasty include pain, bleeding, bruises, delayed healing, infections, scarring, rupture or displacement of the implant. Some of the serious risks associated with breast augmentation surgery include changes in the breast tissue leading to hardening of the tissues surrounding the implant or capsular contracture. In these cases removal of the implant due to rupture or leakage may leave the breast permanently disfigured. A breast implant may also delay or mask the detection of a breast lump that can be potentially cancerous on regular self examination and also make mammography difficult to read. Breast implants also interfere with breast feeding.