Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation At A Glance

Augmentation of the breast consists of inserting a bag made of silicone (a prosthesis) under the breast and/or the chest muscles (sub pectoral), then inflating the bag by filling it with saline solution (salt water). This procedure enlarges and shapes the breast area giving an increased cup size, more pleasant shape and deeper cleavage.

Breast Augmentation Reasons & Benefits

Woman have been requesting larger, shapelier breasts for centuries. Surgery to increase the size of breasts was first performed in the 1890s. Various procedures have been tried over the years until finally settling on silicon shell implants in the 1980s.

Reasons women give for breast augmentation include feeling that the breasts are too small, uneven, unattractively shaped or a desire to restore size lost due to dieting or pregnancy. Breast augmentation has now passed nose reshaping as the most popular technique in the United States. In excess of 300,000 procedures were performed in 2006.

Although the technique is normally safe and the results usually pleasing to the patient it must be understood that a breast augmentation is potentially risky procedure like all types of cosmetic procedures.

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 possible about the technique, healing and risks.

Breast Augmentation Surgery Procedure

The technique starts with a pre-operative consultation with the doctor when you are given careful instructions about how to get ready for the procedure. Follow the instructions very carefully as minor variations can lead to serious, even life-threatening complications.

Some surgeons use general anesthesia and others prefer a light sedation along with a local anesthesia. Either method will make sure that the procedure seems quick and pain-free to the patient.

An incision 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 incision is to allow the surgeon to disconnect the breast tissue from the chest muscles to make a pocket to insert the implant.

One method of placing the implant is to create a pocket in the chest muscle tissue under the breast. The disadvantage of this method is that there is often more discomfort and a longer healing time. The advantage is that the muscle tends to keep the implant more securely in position giving a firmer, rounder breast.

After the pocket has been made the implant is inserted and positioned. A newer and sought out implant type is inserted unfilled and then saline solution (sterile salt water) is pumped into the implant through a valve.

The breast augmentation procedure takes one to two 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 it can take up to six months for the final healing of bruised areas.

Risks And Complications Of Breast Augmentation

Most women recover quickly and are pleased with the outcome of the procedure. However, several forms of complications can happen and it is vital to realize that the implants are not lifetime devices. Eventually they may need to be repaired.

Physical risks can include an infection in the 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 around the implant a condition known as "capsular contracture" can happen where the breast starts to seem hard and tight. Another complication is "rippling" where the implant moves causing the impression of dents and ripples on the surface of the breast.

One of the highest risks is the possibility of unhappiness should the results of the the procedure not lead to desired changes in the social life of the patient. Women who have had breast implants are three times more likely to try suicide as women in general

Breast augmentation will only improve the shape of the breasts and not create perfection. Bigger breasts may lead to a greater sense of self-confidence but can not change your life.

Breast Augmentation Costs

Surgeons fees for breast augmentation are usually between $3,000 and $4,000. Fees for the operating room, anesthesiologist and drugs can significantly raise the total. In addition the fees are usually higher in some major urban areas.

Ask your surgeon to find the precise cost before making your choice. There are options for paying the fees over time.

Questions To Ask Your Breast Augmentation Surgeon

You should always have a meeting with your doctor before agreeing to any surgery. You want to take sufficient time to get all your questions answered. Also you may ask to see before and after photos to get a better understanding of what is probable.

Some questions you should ask include:

• Am I being realistic about my desired outcome?
• Where will the procedure be done and how long will it take?
• What is the recovery time for doing various activities?
• What is the total this will cost me?
• How much experience have you had with this procedure?
• How often do complications occur?
• What if I am not satisfied with the outcome?

Make sure the surgeon has your complete medical history and understands any allergies or special needs you have.

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