It is a surgical procedure carried out to increase the breast volume. The cases where this surgery may be needed:
- Correction of the breast contour of women who think their breasts are small;
- Enhancement of the breast volume that has reduced in consequence of weight loss or pregnancy,
- Elimination of incompatibility in cases of asymmetrical breasts,
- Breast augmentation as an addition to a breast lift surgery intended for sagging breasts,
- Correction of breasts completely removed or deformed due to other surgical causes,
- Correction of breasts deformed due to traumas, genetic reasons or diseases.
By using breast implants, it is possible to increase breast size by one or more bra cup sizes.
Who are Suitable for Breast Augmentation?
This surgery will be useful in terms of both the improvement of your external appearance and self-confidence. If you are a physically healthy individual with correctly determined expectations, you can be a good candidate for this surgery.
Types of Implants
The type, size, shape and other properties of the implant to be used in surgery will be arranged based on your breast anatomy, body type, and the intended breast size. Your lifestyle and individual preferences as well as your surgeon’s recommendations will be effective in this selection.
Breast implants are enclosed in an elastic silicone sleeve that has a hard consistency. The filling material contained in silicone implants can be liquid silicone or sterile saline.
Sizes of implants are measured based on the amount of fluid they contain (cc). Implants have also some other variations besides content and volume:
Outer Surface: Surfaces of implants can be smooth or textured.
Shape: They can be round or teardrop (anatomical) shaped.
Profile: Implants may be low, medium or high profiled. This is the measure of the distance from the base of the implant to its highest point.
Diameter: It is the diameter of the implant’s base that contacts the anterior thoracic wall.
With such implants, it is possible to get satisfactory results in most of the adult women. With the exception of special cases, it is recommended to make sure that the breast development has been completed prior to surgery.
Surgery
During your first application, your surgeon will evaluate your general health status and the procedures suitable for your condition. If you have sagging breasts, you will be recommended to have also a breast lift operation besides the intended breast augmentation surgery.
Be sure to honestly talk to your doctor about your expectations from the surgery. During the examination, be sure to tell the major diseases and surgeries that you have undergone, and whether you use tobacco products or alcohol.
Before surgery, a mammography examination may be required for being able to understand whether there is any disease in the breast that may poses an obstacle to the surgery.
This surgery is done under general anesthesia.
Placement of the implant can be performed through the fold under the breast, or the place where the dark colored area around the nipple called areola meets with the breast, or through the armpit. The surgeon and patient decide together on the site to be selected for this purpose.
The implant can be placed under the muscle tissue located just under the breast tissue, or under thin cover called fascia located on the muscle. Sub-fascial approach has constituted the most preferred procedure in recent years. The site determined for the procedure will be informed to you during your examination.
Surgery takes one or two hours.
You may feel tired for several days after surgery due to the effect of general anesthesia; however, you do not need to stay in hospital, and can be discharged on the same day. You will not suffer from any significant pain, as long as you use the recommended drugs.
Your dressing will be removed within a day or two, and you will be advised to you a special bra. The swelling in your breasts will take three to five weeks.
You will be able to return to your normal activities within a couple of days, depending on effort required by your job. It takes a longer time to return to your exercise programs.
Redness occurs in the surgical scars, for a period of at least six weeks. Scars begin to disappear within a few months.
A great majority of patients become satisfied with the results obtained after surgery.
Since the decision of this surgery varies from person to person, you must not expect all the people around you to understand or appreciate this. What is important is how you feel. The success of surgery is totally about whether or not you have achieved objectives that you have determined properly.