Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of the breast of women in the following situations: to enhance the silhouette of the woman who thinks her breasts are too small to correct the breast reduction that occurs after some pregnancies, also to correct a difference in size between the two breasts as a reconstructive procedure following breast surgery.
You can increase breast size one or several sizes by introducing a prosthesis under the breast.
¿WHO IS THE IDEAL CANDIDATE?
The ideal candidates to undergo breast surgery are those healthy people; emotionally stable comprising the results to be obtained after surgery.
PLANNING SURGERY
During the initial consultation, your plastic surgeon will evaluate the size and shape of the breast, skin firmness and overall health status were also performs breast exams and in some cases a mammography is required. It will explain the different surgical techniques, the size and shape that have your breasts and the options or combination of procedures that are best for you is discussed. You should state your expectations in a sincere and straightforward manner, so that the plastic surgeon is also sincere and show the alternatives available to your problem, with the risks and limitations of each. It will also tell what type of anesthesia to be used, whether or not to enter the clinic where the surgery and the costs of intervention.
Do not forget to tell if you are a smoker or take any medication or vitamin, number of previous pregnancies and if you plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Feel free to ask any question you may have, especially those regarding your expectations about the results.
PREPARING FOR SURGERY
You will be instructed on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on food and fluid intake, or taking snuff or suppressing medications, vitamins and iron supplements. Increase in the breast is not required blood transfusion during surgery. Make sure also that a family member or companion can get you home when you are discharged and, if necessary, can help a couple of days.
SURGERY AND ANESTHESIA
Breast surgery is performed in an operating room, within a clinic or hospital. Income is generally required, giving the hospital the next day. The breast augmentation surgery is performed under general anesthesia, the patient remained asleep during the operation. Some very specific cases can be performed under local anesthesia. Breast augmentation is performed through a small incision, depending on the patient's anatomy and preferences of your plastic surgeon, around the areola, in the groove under the breast or armpit. The incision is designed so that the resulting scar almost invisible. Through this incision breast tissue is lifted, a pocket is created and the prosthesis is placed directly under the breast tissue or under the chest muscle. Drainage tubes will be removed in a few days and a dressing or bandage is placed over the breasts. The procedure takes between 1 and 2 hours.
AFTER SURGERY
After breast surgery is normal to be a little tired some days, but can make life almost normal within 24-48 hours. Most discomfort is well controlled with medication prescribed by your plastic surgeon, although the breasts can hurt a couple of weeks. The bandage or dressing will be removed in a few days, being replaced by a special bra, to be kept in the manner prescribed by your surgeon. It is normal to have a burning sensation in the nipples during the first two weeks. The stitches are removed between 7 and 14 days; edema not completely gives up until 3 or 6 weeks. After breast augmentation you can return to work within a few days, depending on the activity carried out. Follow the instructions from your surgeon about what exercises you can perform; avoid lifting over head for 2-3 weeks. Your breasts are more sensitive than normal during 2-3 weeks, so it may be desirable to avoid excessive physical contact until 3 or 4 weeks. Initially the scars will be pink, something that will continuously improve from 6 weeks. Mammographic controls appropriate for each woman according to her age can still be performed, although it should be noted the existence of the prosthesis. The operation does not limit your ability to breastfeed if you become pregnant.
¿RISKS? ¿GUARANTEES?
The breast augmentation surgery is a safe technique, if its performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. However, as with any operation there can always be complications and risks. In breast augmentation, the most common complication is capsular contracture, which occurs when the internal scar that forms around the implant shrinks excessively, causing the breast becomes harder. It can be treated in various ways, sometimes requiring removal of said internal scar, and even change again the prosthesis. Other complication of any surgery itself is the hematoma that only in specific cases requires further surgery to remove the accumulated blood. A small percentage of women may have an infection around the prosthesis, usually in the first few weeks after surgery. Some women notice more or less sensitive nipples, and even insensitive. These changes are usually temporary, although in a few cases will be permanent. There is no evidence that breast implants affect fertility, pregnancy or lactation.
Is extremely rare that the prosthesis can break, causing the contents leaves their capsule. The prosthesis is filled with serum, it is a rapidly absorbed liquid that wont cause any damage, and it will decrease the volume of the breast in few hours. If its silicone filled two things can happen: if the capsule formed by the body does not break, you will not notice any change; if it is broken, especially when it has been subjected to much pressure, silicone goes decreasing the volume of the breast.
There is no proven scientific evidence that dentures cause breast cancer or connective tissue diseases. The placement of prosthesis does not prevent mammograms.
THE RESULTS
The results after breast augmentation can be very pleasant for the patient. Periodic reviews by your plastic surgeon and regular mammograms (if you qualify for their age) ensure that if there were any complications to be detected early and resolved. The decision to undergo breast augmentation is something very personal that not everyone has to understand why; if you are satisfied, the intervention will have been a success.
BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY: SUMMARY
The only definitive method for a breast enlargement is through the implementation of a breast implant behind the existing gland. There are other methods utilizing tissues of the body and used, especially in Reconstructive Surgery.
The breast implant can be placed behind the gland itself and in front of the pectoral muscle, or behind the muscle, depending on each case. Usually the incision approach for implanting the prosthesis is located in the submammary (in some cases the incision is made around the areola), performing the operation under general anesthesia.
Possible complications such as hematoma, infection, impaired sutures, etc., require appropriate treatment, but have an extremely low incidence.
The information contained on this website in no case, nor intended, to replace the information provided individually by your plastic surgeon. If in doubt, your plastic surgeon will provide appropriate clarifications.
