Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical operation that enlarges the size, shape, or fullness of the breasts.
Under the chest muscles or breast tissue, the surgeon puts silicone, saline, or other composite breast implants. Implants typically last 7 to 12 years.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there were 279,143 breast augmentation procedures performed in the United States in 2015.
This was 2% lower than the previous year, but 31% greater than the year before.
What are the advantages of breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is performed for the following reasons:
- Breasts that are naturally tiny can be enlarged.
- Breast size and shape can be restored after pregnancy, weight reduction, or breastfeeding, and symmetry can be restored when the breasts are asymmetrical.
- After surgery, restore the breast or breasts.
- Plastic surgery involves reconstructive surgery and aesthetic surgery.
Reconstructive breast surgery may be performed as part of breast cancer treatment. Cosmetic breast surgery is performed to improve one’s appearance. Breast augmentation is usually seen as a cosmetic procedure.
Breast enlargement through cosmetic surgery enhances women’s self-esteem and perceptions about their sexuality, according to a 2007 study by University of Florida researchers. Plastic Surgery Nursing published the findings.
What are breast implants and how do you get them?
A breast implant is a medical device that is surgically implanted into the breast to augment, reconstruct, or create the physical form of the breast.
Breast implants are divided into three categories:
A sterile saline solution, similar to salt water, is used to fill saline implants. The solution is contained within a silicone elastomer casing. Different volumes of saline solution can be used to fill these implants. This has an impact on the breast’s sensation, firmness, and contour.
If a saline implant leaks, the solution will be naturally absorbed and ejected.
A silicone outer shell is filled with silicone gel in silicone gel-filled implants. When a silicone-filled implant leaks, the gel either stays in the shell or leaks into the breast implant pocket. A silicone-filled implant that is leaking may or may not collapse.
Patients who choose this sort of implant should see their doctor more frequently than those who choose saline solution implants. The status of the implants can be assessed with an MRI or ultrasound scan.
Polypropylene thread, soy oil, or another material can be used to fill alternative composite implants.
What can you expect?
Because breast augmentation is a sort of surgery, people should consider their options carefully before proceeding.
Before surgery, the surgeon should assist the patient in selecting the appropriate implant size. This can be accomplished by inserting various sized implants into a bra and observing how they feel.
In most cases, a general anesthetic is utilized to keep the patient sleeping during surgery. The patient is awake when a local anesthetic is applied.
Optional incisions
The surgeon and the patient should talk about the various incision choices.
The following options are available to you:
- In the crease beneath the breast, an inframammary incision is made.
- Incision in the armpit is called a transaxillary incision.
- Around the nipple, a periareolar incision is made.
- The type of incision chosen is determined by a number of criteria, including the amount of enlargement, the patient’s anatomy, the type of implant, and surgeon-patient desire.
Implant insertion and placement
A pocket is created for the breast implant.
There are two different kinds of placement:
- Under the pectoral muscle, a submuscular location is used. It’s possible that recovery could take longer, and there will be more pain following the procedure.
- A submammary, or subglandular, implant is placed behind the breast tissue and over the pectoral muscle.
Closing the wounds
In the breast tissue, the surgeon heals the incisions with multilayer sutures or stitches. Stitches, skin adhesives, and surgical tape are used to close and maintain the skin’s closure.
The incision lines will be apparent at first, but they will diminish over time.
Analyzing the outcomes
Swelling will occur after surgery, but it should subside within two weeks. Incision lines will vanish as well. The patient will then be able to assess whether or not the surgery matched her expectations.
Recovery
The patient will be given medicines to relieve the pain when the anesthesia wears off.
