Breast Augmentation using Saline and Silicone Breast Implants

Introduction:
Breast augmentation is performed by placement of saline or silicone gel-filled implants either above or partially below the chest muscles through a variety of incisions. Breast augmentation is used to help women regain breast volume that was lost as a result of breast-feeding or weight loss in addition to helping women with smaller breasts or asymmetry achieve fuller, more shapely and proportionate breasts.

Reasons for undergoing a breast augmentation:

• Loss of breast volume.

• A desire for more volume in one or both breasts.

• Correction of a misshapen or tuberous breast.

Personal consultation:
During your consultation, you will be asked about your breast and medical history in addition to your desired goals from surgery. Your plastic surgeon will examine you, take measurements and photographs and then review which procedure they recommend specifically for you. Your medical history will be to include medical conditions, medications you take, any allergies, medical treatments received, all previous surgeries medications that you take. You should not smoke or be exposed to tobacco smoke for 2 weeks before or after surgery.

Risks involved:
There are risks with any surgical procedure but thankfully they are infrequent. There is a risk of infection, bleeding, pain, poor wound healing, asymmetry and possibly not achieving the breast size you desire. This list is by no means comprehensive and these should be discussed at your consultation and pre-operative planning visits.

Types of anesthesia:
Breast augmentation is typically performed under general anesthesia yet some plastic surgeons may utilize local anesthesia with sedation.

Surgical procedure:
Breast augmentation surgery generally lasts between 45-60 minutes and can be conducted on either an in-patient or out-patient basis using either a general or local anesthetic coupled with sedation. There are four different types of incisions used to allow placement of the breast implant - each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages and your surgeon will discuss which method they prefer for your unique circumstances:

• Infra-mammary approach, where an incision is made in the natural crease under the breast.

• Peri-areolar : where the incision is made at the juncture between the areola (dark skin around the nipple) and the natural breast skin.

• Trans-axillary: where an incision is made through the armpit.

• TUBA - Transumbilical: the incision is made in the region of the belly button and a tunnel is created up to the breast through which the pocket is created and the implant placed.

Once the initial incision is made your surgeon will then create a pocket above or partially below the chest muscle where your implant will be placed. This should be precise to allow proper positioning of the implant centered on your nipple. Breast implants all have a solid silicone shell and can be either smooth or textured. The filler material is either normal saline (which is the fluid that represents approximately 60% of your body weight) or a silicone gel. The implant that is right for you will be determined at the time of your consultation with your plastic surgeon. Once the implants are in proper position, your plastic surgeon may place a numbing medication into the pocket and then close the incisions. Typically the sutures do not have to be removed and the incision is covered by a dressing.

After your surgery:
You are encouraged to walk on the first day of surgery, drink plenty of liquids and to use you pain medication as needed. Your bra and dressings will be removed at your first post-operative office visit and typically within a week you will be instructed to massage your breasts if you have smooth implants. It takes weeks to months to see you final results so you must be patient.

View breast augmentation photos.