Breast Augmentation - What to Know About How it is Performed

Patients who want to gain a larger size or enhanced shape to the breast can have breast implants placed in the body. Breast implants can be made of saline or silicone, and they can give the breasts a larger size as well as provide them with a more youthful look. In addition, fat grafting can also deliver the desired changes to the breasts. How does breast augmentation work? Keep reading for the answer!

Breast Augmentation – What is it and why is it Performed?

Breast augmentation, which is also known as a “boob job,” is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is performed to give the breasts a larger size or to give the breasts a more symmetrical appearance. The changes to the breasts can be accomplished through the transfer of fat or by the surgical placement of breast implants in the body.

The procedure is often performed on patients who want to increase the size of their breasts or on patients who want to address changes that have occurred to the breasts over the years due to pregnancy and breastfeeding or a large amount of weight loss. There are also some patients who want to give the breasts a more balanced appearance on the body, or they want the breasts to match the physical proportions of the rest of their body.

Breast Augmentation – How is it Performed?

There are multiple techniques available for the performance of breast augmentation:

• Breast implants can be placed behind the breasts, or they can be placed above or below the pectoral muscles to give the breasts a larger size. Besides being made of silicone or saline, breast implants can be shaped like a teardrop or have a round shape.
• The doctor can inject fat that is taken from another area of the body of the patient into the breasts, The addition of the transferred fat adds volume to smaller breasts and gives them a fuller and more symmetrical appearance.

Patients need to keep in mind that breast augmentation is not the same as a breast lift as that procedure is designed to correct the look of sagging breasts.

If breast implants are going to be placed in the body, there are three types of incisions that can be created by the surgeon. The options include an inframammary incision that is placed beneath the breast, an axillary incision that goes in the underarm of the person, and a periareolar incision that is placed in the tissue that surrounds the nipples of the patient.

The surgeon will also create a pocket that will house the breast implants and they will be centered inside the breasts. Silicone implants that are placed in the body are already filled when they are inserted by the doctor. Saline implants will be filled with a saline solution after the implant shell has been placed in the targeted position.

The incision created by the surgeon will be closed with stiches as well as bandaged securely by using surgical glue or tape.

Breast Implants – Risks and Recovery Revealed

There are some common risks involved with breast augmentation and they include bleeding, lingering pain, bruising, scarring, an implant leak or rupture, infection, and the formation of scar tissue inside the breast (AKA capsular contracture).

There can also be the need for a follow-up surgery if the breast implant moves out of place or if the breast implant is not placed in the correct location. In addition, another procedure might be necessary if the patient decides they want a bigger or smaller breast implant at some point in the future.

The start of the recovery period will require the patient to wear a compression bandage to help contain any swelling after the surgery. The surgeon will likely also recommend the patient wear a sports bra to gain the necessary support for the breasts during the recovery period. Any lingering pain or discomfort can likely be addressed by pain medication prescribed by the doctor.

Patients can normally return to work anywhere from a few days to a week after the procedure. They will need to avoid any strenuous activities or exercise for at least two weeks.

It can take about two or three months for the breasts to settle into their final position and for the body to adjust to its new shape. While the breasts will be sitting higher on the chest immediately after the surgery, this will resolve on its own as the existing tissue and skin on the body adjust to the amount of augmentation. The breasts might also seem larger than expected due to swelling but this will resolve on its own. The final results will be visible around six months after the procedure.

The length of the final results depends on the type of breast augmentation performed by the surgeon. In general, breast implants can last anywhere from ten to twenty years before they need to be replaced. While all of the transferred fat will not survive the transfer process, the augmentation results provided by the transferring of fat into the breasts will be permanent.

- MA