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Breast Augmentation

(Enlargement)

For many women, feeling confident and vibrant goes hand in hand with looking their best. For thousands of women, achieving such confidence and personal satisfaction can be achieved by choosing breast augmentation. Breast augmentation is a well established procedure that has been performed on more than three million women worldwide over the last three decades. Following their procedure, many women have experienced a transformation in how they feel about themselves and their bodies.

Also known as augmentation mammaplasty, the procedure involves using saline or silicone implants to increase the size or improve the shape of the breasts to fulfill your desire for fuller breasts or to restore volume.

There are many reasons women choose breast augmentation. Some of them include:

• Enlarging their breasts to make their bodies more proportional
• Increase the fullness and projection of your breasts
• Reshaping and enlarging breasts that have lost their shape due to breast-feeding
• Balancing breasts that differ in size or shape

Your reasons are very personal, and your decisions about breast augmentation should be made by you and your surgeon based on your personal needs, desires and expectations.

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The Breast Enlargement Operation

Breast augmentation is normally performed using one of three common incision sites: around the nipple (periareolar), within the breast fold (inframammary) or under the arm (transaxillary).

These incisions are made in an inconspicuous area to minimize visible scarring. The various techniques to perform the enlargement are:

• The implant may be inserted through the crease under the breast using an inframammary incision approximately 5cm long.
• An incision on the inside of the nipple-areola, in the lower half may be used. This is suitable only when the areola as a least 3.5-4 cm in diameter.
• A third incision technique is in the armpit. The implant can be placed above or under the pectoral muscles. This approach is only suitable for round implants.

Breast implant surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic and may involve an overnight stay in hospital. You and your consultant plastic surgeon will discuss which incision options are appropriate for your desired outcome. Please be aware that the incision and location may be dictated based on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, and your anatomy.

Additional Information

I encourage you to visit the web sites of the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (BAPRAS), British Association of Aesthetic Surgeons (BAAPS) and American Society of Plastic Surgeons. These web sites will provide you with additional information, photos and animated videos on this and other cosmetic procedures. All this information will help you have a more informative consultation with your consultant plastic surgeon.

Your Breast Enlargement Consultation: What to Expect

The success and safety of your breast augmentation surgery procedure depends very much on open discussion of your goals during your consultation. Only with clear communication and careful planning, your surgeon will be able to meet your particular goals and desires.

You will be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

Be prepared to discuss

• Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Use of current medications, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• Previous surgeries
• Any family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms

Your consultant will also

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risks factors
• Examine your breasts, take detailed measurements of their shape and size, skin quality, and placement of your nipples
• Take photographs for your medical records
• Discuss your options of breast implants this includes which sizes are appropriate for your body, shapes (round and teardrop-shaped), placement and a recommended course of treatment. You will also discuss where your implant will be placed, either behind your breast tissue or the pectoral muscle, and where your scars will be located.
• Discuss any likely outcomes of breast augmentation surgery, any risks or potential complications and what to expect during your recovery.

Breast Enlargement Procedure

Today, there are many options available for women who decide breast augmentation is right for them. Through the use of implants, this surgery can increase the size of your breasts and correct uneven breasts. It may also be used to correct mild degree of drooping breasts but it may require an additional uplift procedure.

There are two basic types of breast implants used in breast augmentation surgery: gel-filled breast implants and saline-filled breast implants. Each has its benefits and drawbacks.  

• Gel-filled breast implants use a silicone-gel that is cohesive, safe and aesthetically pleasing. Silicone gel-filled implants provide a more natural feel to the breast and are less likely to cause rippling.  At present, most surgeons use cohesive gel silicone implants, which do not leak if the shell is damaged.
• Saline-filled breast implants are filled with a saltwater solution during surgery that is similar to the fluid that makes up most of the human body. The additional factors to consider are Implant Shape, contour and surface type.

Depending on the breast shape you hope to achieve, you and your doctor may choose either a round or contoured implant, which has a tear drop shape. Breast implants also have varying degrees of projection: moderate, high, and ultra high. Breast implant surfaces come with either a smooth or a textured surface.