Cosmetic Surgery & Beauty #72

feature
procedures
2. Breast
augmentation
About the procedure
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure by which
implants are used to add volume to the breast and enhance
the body’s contours.
Breast implants are either filled with silicone gel (most
common in Australia) or saline solution, and are typically
produced in round and teardrop (anatomical) shapes. The
texture of breast implants can be smooth, textured or
covered in a polyurethane foam surface.
Saline implants have a silicone outer shell that is filled
with a medical-grade saltwater solution, which is completely
biocompatible. Saline implants generally feel quite firm
and can experience deflation or leakage problems. In
comparison, silicone gel filled implants generally feel softer
and more like natural breasts tissue. The silicone gel is
cohesive, meaning it is pre-shaped and holds a lesser risk
of leakage.
The patient’s body shape and individual preferences
are the main determinants of implant size. A thorough
consultation process, where the patient is given implants to
“try on” and shown several before and after photographs, is
necessary in determining the most suitable implant volume.
During the surgery, an incision is made either in the
inframammary crease (below the breast), around the areolar
or in the transaxillary position (in the armpit). The incision
location is usually dependant on the surgeon’s preference
and the patient’s wishes regarding scarring.
The implant is then placed either above (subglandular)
or below (submuscular) the pectoralis muscle. Implants
placed above the muscle afford greater projection, but
sufficient breast tissue is required to camouflage the
implant edges. Implants placed in the submuscular pocket
generally create a more natural-looking aesthetic result,
however recovery can sometimes be longer and involve
greater post-operative discomfort.
What happens after?
In the days following breast surgery, the chest might feel
tight and uncomfortable while the breasts are likely to
be high, swollen and firm to touch. The dressings are
generally removed a few days after surgery and wearing
a compression surgical bra is recommended during the
healing period.
Bruising should fade within a week or so, and the stitches
are also removed in this period. Usually, women can return
to an office-based job after three to five days, though it is
best to wait one or two weeks for more physical activities.
The breasts will usually remain sensitive for a few weeks
after the operation. Scars should begin to fade significantly
after a few months. In this period, the swelling should
gradually subside and the breasts will typically become
lower, feel softer and “settle” into size.
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