Breast Augmentation
Breast Augmentation At A Glance
Augmentation of the breast consists of placing a bag made of silicone (a prosthesis) under the breast and/or the chest muscles (sub pectoral), then filling it with saline solution (salt water). This procedure expands and firms the breast giving an increased cup size, better shape and more pronounced cleavage.
Breast Augmentation Reasons & Benefits
Woman have been requesting larger, shapelier breasts for centuries. Surgery to increase the size of breasts has been performed since the 1890s. Various procedures had been tried over the years until finally settling on silicon shell implants in the 1980s.
Reasons given for breast augmentation include feeling that the breasts are too small, uneven, unattractively shaped or a desire to regain size lost after dieting or pregnancy. Breast augmentation has now passed nose reshaping as the most common cosmetic procedure in the U.S.. More than 300,000 procedures were performed in 2006.
Although the surgery is normally safe and the outcome generally pleasing to the patient it should be understood that a breast augmentation is possibly risky surgery like all types of cosmetic surgeries.
Some changes will be permanent and the outcome may not be satisfactory if not done by the right surgeon. Patients owe it to themselves and their future happiness to learn as much as they can about the technique, recovery and risks.
Breast Augmentation Surgery Procedure
The procedure begins with a pre-operative consultation with the surgeon where you are provided with careful instructions about how to prepare for the surgery. Follow the instructions exactly as slight variations can lead to serious, even life-threatening complications.
Some surgeons prefer general anesthesia and others prefer a light sedation plus a local anesthesia. Either method will ensure that the surgery seems quick and painless to the patient.
A cut is made in one of four places: in the armpit, in the skin crease under the breast and chest, along the edge of the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple), or in the navel. The cut is to allow the surgeon to separate the breast tissue from the underlying muscles to make a pocket to place the implant.
One way of placing the implant is to create a pocket in the actual muscle tissue under the breast. The disadvantage of this method is that there is generally more pain and a longer healing time. The advantage is that the muscle tends to keep the implant more securely in place resulting in a firmer, rounder breast.
After the pocket has been made the implant is inserted and positioned. A newer and common implant type is inserted unfilled and then saline solution (sterile salt water) is pumped into the implant through a valve.
The breast augmentation operation takes 1 to 2 hours and is done most frequently in the doctors suite or an outpatient facility. The patient usually goes home the same day, and can resume work in a week.
Severe pain may continue for 3 or 4 days following the technique and can then take up to six months before the final recovery of bruised areas.
Risks And Complications Of Breast Augmentation
Most women recover at a fast pace and are pleased with the outcome of the procedure. However, several kinds of complications can develop and it is vital to realize that the implants are not lifetime devices. At some point they may need to be replaced.
Physical risks can include an infection in the first week after surgery. There have also been cases reported of auto-immune disease but the link to the implants is still unclear.
Plastic problems can also occur. If scar tissue forms against the implant a condition known as "capsular contracture" can happen where the breast begins to feel hard and tight. Another symptom is "rippling" where the implant shifts position creating the impression of dents and ripples on the surface of the breast.
One of the highest risks is the possibility of mental depression should the results of the surgery not provide desired changes in the social life of the patient. Women who have had breast implants are 3 times as likely to attempt suicide as women in general
Breast augmentation can only improve the shape of the breasts and not lead to perfection. Larger breasts may lead to a greater sense of self-confidence but will not change your life.
Breast Augmentation Costs
Surgeons costs for breast augmentation are usually between $3,000 and $4,000. Fees for the operating room, anesthesiologist and drugs can significantly raise the total. Also the fees are usually higher in some major urban areas.
Ask your surgeon to learn the precise cost before making your decision. There are options for financing the costs over time.
Questions To Ask Your Breast Augmentation Surgeon
You should always have a meeting with your surgeon before agreeing to any kind of surgery. Be sure you take sufficient time to get all your questions answered. In addition you should ask to view before and after photographs to get a better idea of what is probable.
Some questions you may ask include:
- Am I being realistic about my desired results?
- Where will the technique be performed and how much time will it take?
- What is the healing time for doing various activities?
- What is the total this will cost me?
- How much experience have you had performing this procedure?
- How often do problems occur?
- What if I am not satisfied with the outcome?
Make sure the doctor has all your medical history and understands any allergies or special needs you have.
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