Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast enhancement surgery, which is also known as breast enlargement or breast augmentation surgery, is one of the most popular cosmetic operations for women. More than 350,000 breast enlargement procedures were performed in the United States alone in 2008, according to data collected by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or ASAPS, which attests to its popularity.

There are a variety of reasons why a woman might think about breast enhancement surgery. Breast augmentation can be used in order to rectify an asymmetry of the breasts, as well as to reconstruct the breasts following a mastectomy or other similar operation; the term “breast reconstruction surgery” is usually used to refer to cases of this nature. Surgery may also be used as a way to deal with genetic issues involving the breasts such as micromastia, a condition involving the severe underdevelopment of the breasts, or other conditions which can result in the absence of breasts in females.

Above all, though, the majority of women who decide to receive breast enhancement surgery do so for purely cosmetic reasons. Detrimental effects upon the individual’s social and work life are often a result of misgivings regarding one’s looks, and this includes the appearance of the breasts. An effective way of preventing or dealing with these issues, then, is to address their basic cause. Thus, the popularity of breast augmentation is not surprising.

There are a number of different approaches and techniques in use for breast augmentation surgery procedures, each of which may be particularly appropriate for the individual depending on various factors including physical characteristics, prior operation history, the amount of augmentation desired. Breast enhancement surgery involves the use of prostheses or implants which are inserted underneath the mammary tissue or the muscle. There are two basic kinds of breast implants: silicone implants and saline implants.

Saline implants are somewhat less common than silicone ones, and are comprised of a silicone elastomer shell which, after first being implanted during the surgical procedure, is filled with a a saline solution, containing water and salt. That saline implants are filled after insertion means that they are slightly more adaptable in comparison to silicone implants. On the other hand, saline implants are considered to be useful only for smaller augmentation procedures. They are also somewhat susceptible to rippling, wrinkling, and other such issues, as well as being thought to be more noticeable to the touch compared to silicone implants, although this point is debatable.

Silicone implants, meanwhile, have a silicone elastomer shell which is pre-filled with a silicone gel of various characteristics. Silicone implants, like saline implants, have been in production since at least the 1960s, although the construction of silicone implants has seen changes incrementally in the years since. The silicone implants available today are substantially different from the ones used back in the 1960s; a semi-solid gel is now standard, which all but completely eliminates the leaking issues that previous implants, which used a liquid-like gel, were known to experience.

Several techniques are used for the surgical procedure itself. The most commonly used method for breast augmentation surgery is the inframammary incision method. This technique involves the use of an incision in the area directly below the breast, which is called the inframammary area. The implant is inserted by way of this incision. This technique involves perhaps the least risk of complications of any type of breast augmentation procedure, and the resulting scars are usually well hidden below the breast afterward.

An incision is placed outside the edge of the areola in the periareolar incision method. Saline implants are required for this technique, as silicone implants are too large to be inserted through this type of incision. However, this technique does allow for the surgeon to change the position of the breast substantially, which may be requested in some instances.

Depending on a number of factors, the patient may desire the surgeon to to make the incision in an area more distant from the breast; patients who are concerned with scarring visible on or around the breast may also request this type of procedure. The transaxillary incision is an incision made below the armpit, while the transumbilical incision is an incision in the area of the belly button, which can be performed at the same time as a tummy tuck. In both cases, an endoscope may be used in order to help with the correct placement of the implant. Saline implants are usually necessary for either of these procedures.

Every type of surgical procedure involves some risk, and breast enlargement is no different. Additionally, after undergoing this kind of operation, the patient will normally be required to observe a recovery schedule of at least six weeks, during which time strenuous exercise and other physical activity must be avoided in order to ensure that the operation is a success in the end.