Loading...Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that enhances the size and shape of a woman’s breast with the use of a breast implant (silicon or saline).
The procedure also enhances breast contour and volume after pregnancy. A breast implant is composed of silicon gel or saline within a silicon shell. A breast implant is different from silicon oil.
Most Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon all over the world doesn’t do silicon oil injection of the breast to enhance breast size and volume. This technique is condemned both locally and internationally by most surgeons since the result is unpredictable and compounded by numerous complications such as extrusion, skin necrosis and infection.
Patients should not allow themself to be subjected to this procedure, because the risk for unwanted complications is very high and the result is deformed or unpredictable.
The most surgeon uses Breast Implant which is composed of material that is non-toxic, non-allergenic, non-teratogenic and biocompatible with human tissues and thus have less risk for any unwanted results and a more predictable outcome.
This is one of the most common cosmetic procedures done worldwide, especially in the United State. It is a straightforward procedure with a very instantaneous and pleasing result. Because of this, the public’s attention and interest focused on the search for a very safe breast implant material.
Breast Augmentation is the only procedure in the Cosmetic Plastic Surgery speciality that is surrounded by controversy and scrutiny. In the past, especially during the late 70s and early ’80s a lot of medical condition such as breast cancer and autoimmune disease was wrongfully associated with the use of silicon implant.
Because of this, the US Food and Drug Administration regulated the use of silicone breast implants for cosmetic breast procedures until recently in mid-2007.
After an extensive clinical research study that included more than a thousand breast-augmented women, it was found that silicon breast implant does not cause any malignant disease or breast cancer or any autoimmune disorder. Because of this the US – FDA approved the use of silicon implants in cosmetic breast procedures.
There are 2 basic types of breast implants, saline and silicone implants. The implant is composed of an outer membrane composed of a silicon shell. This shell contains either saline (fluid) or silicon (cohesive gel) material.
It is prudent for every patient to discuss extensively the advantage and disadvantages of each implant type with their surgeon before they finalize their decision.
I perform my Breast Augmentation procedure under deep sedation with local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia. The procedure can be done either as an outpatient surgery or the patient can be admitted or confined for a day or two in a hospital, depending on the surgeon and patient’s preference.
Whether the procedure will be performed as an Out-Patient or as a Hospital procedure, preoperative laboratory and medical clearance are required.
The surgery usually takes one to two hours to complete. The breast implant can be inserted through an incision at the armpit or breast folds or the areolar border. Each choice of incision site has its advantage and disadvantage in terms of scar cosmesis and nipple sensation.
And among the three incisions, the transaxillary approach has the best scar cosmesis since it is concealed and the nipple sensation is well preserved. But the patient should further discuss this issue if ever scaring will be a significant concern.
After the procedure, there will be some swelling and mild bruising that last for several days to a few weeks anthesis are only transient changes. The patient is required to wear a breast binder for 3 to 6 weeks. This will hold the breast implant in place during the healing process and also help control the swelling. Sutures are removed after 7 to 10 days.
Any patient planning to have this procedure will require 10 to 14 days for the initial consultation, laboratory, medical clearance, surgery; follow-up, suture removal and early recuperation. After this patient is safe to travel since the wounds are dry and healed.
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