Breast Augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breast for a number of reasons:
- To enhance the body contour of a woman who, for personal reasons, feels her breast size is too small.
- To correct a reduction in breast volume after pregnancy.
- To balance a difference in breast size.
- As a reconstructive technique following breast surgery.
By inserting an implant behind each breast, surgeons are able to increase a woman’s bustline by one or more bra cup sizes. If you’re considering breast augmentation, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure–when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. It can’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please ask your surgeon if there is anything you don’t understand about the procedure.
The Best Candidates for Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
The best candidates for breast augmentation are women who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you’re physically healthy and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.
Types of Implants
A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or a saltwater solution known as saline.
Because of concerns that there is insufficient information demonstrating the safety of silicone gel-filled breast implants, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that new gel-filled implants, at the present time, should be available only to women participating in approved studies. Some women requiring replacement of the implants may also be eligible to participate in the study.
Saline-filled implants continue to be available to breast augmentation patients on an unrestricted basis, pending further FDA review. You should ask your doctor more about the specifics of the FDA decisions. (Above guidelines are current as of July 1992.)
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone breast implants have now been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in breast augmentation. The newest generation of silicone breast implants, which have been used safely for many years around the world, are now available in the United States. Today’s silicone implants feature cohesive gel technology, allowing them to hold together uniformly while imparting a natural shape and feel to the breast. Many women believe silicone implants feel more natural than saline implants when used in breast augmentation.
Like saline implants, silicone implants may be placed above or below the muscle. The typical incision for placement of silicone gel implants is under the fold of the breast. Because the implants are prefilled with silicone gel, other incision sites such as around the areola or in the armpit are not recommended. Initial recovery from surgery, usually a matter of a few days, is the same with either saline or silicone implants.
There are a number of important differences between saline and silicone breast implants. To find out more about silicone breast implants, visit the Mentor link at www.mentor4me.com. Silicone implants are an option we are pleased to offer our patients considering breast enhancement. Like all cosmetic surgery, breast augmentation must be tailored to a woman’s individual needs to achieve a beautifully natural result, proportioned to their personal body type. If you are interested in finding out more about breast augmentation and whether silicone implants may be right for you, contact one of our patient care coordinators to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our board certified plastic surgeons.