Breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgeries for mammoplasty. Magnifying mammoplasty is a complete surgical procedure. Breast augmentation surgery is performed under general anesthesia and requires careful preparation of the patient, as well as his stay in the clinic (the period varies depending on the complexity of the surgery and the patient's condition). Various methods of breast augmentation with the help of various implants are currently being developed and successfully applied. Indications for surgery are primary aplasia (lack of mammary glands), primary hypoplasia (underdevelopment of the mammary glands), involution of the mammary glands, mastectomy (surgical removal of the glands, both complete and partial).
From the history of breast augmentation
The need for breast augmentation surgery was dictated by diseases that require excision of breast tissue or lead to deformity, asymmetry of the mammary glands in women. The first attempt at breast augmentation was made in 1889. Liquid paraffin is used as a filler (implant) that is injected into the mammary gland. In 1895, the first augmentation surgery was performed using the patient's own tissues (in this case, a lipoma that was removed from the patient's thigh). The unsatisfactory results of the performed operations caused further search for alternative materials. So throughout history, doctors have used glass balls, foam, sponges, polyurethane, ivory and many other materials. The introduction of such materials led to the development of inflammatory processes in the tissues of the mammary glands, infections, tissue necrosis and rejection of implanted materials.
Only in the 1960s, for the first time in medical practice for breast augmentation, silicone implants were used, which are the prototypes of those breast implants used in modern plastic surgery. The shell of the first implants allowed the filler molecules to pass through, which led to the development of aseptic inflammation in patients, and the smooth surface of the implant led to the development of capsular contracture.
In the 1980s, scientists suggested that the silicone breast implants used provoked the development of breast cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has conducted numerous studies without confirming or disproving this hypothesis. Modern breast implants are completely safe for patients' health, and innovative technologies allow you to recreate the natural relief, shape and tactile sensations when touching an enlarged breast.
Breast augmentation methods. Non-surgical techniques. Implants
There are two main methods for breast augmentation: surgical and non-surgical practices.
Surgical methods for breast augmentation differ in the type of access to the breast:
- Dissection of tissues in the fold(in the natural line of flexion), which is most convenient for the surgeon, providing greater access to the tissues and is preferable for patients becauseas the scar will be hidden in the fold;
- Dissection of the tissues around the areola.The scar is thought to be less visible in the areola area, but this technique carries a risk of damage and scarring of the milk ducts, which will preventnatural lactation during breastfeeding;
- Axillary approach- dissection of tissue in the patient's armpit, is the most dangerous method of breast augmentation. The main advantage of the technique is the complete absence of scars on the mammary glands.
According to the method of implant placement, a distinction is made between placing implants directly under the breast and under the pectoral muscle. Recently, plastic surgeons have talked about another method of placing a breast implant under the fascia of the pectoral muscle, which is actually placing it under the breast.
Non-surgical breast augmentation techniques include exercise complexes, nutritional supplements, hormonal medications (mild breast augmentation is one of the side effects of some groups of medications). It should be noted that physical training is ineffective as it involves the pectoral muscles. The mammary gland itself does not contain muscle tissue. Nutritional supplements and hormonal drugs give only temporary slight breast enlargement.
Modern implants are distinguished by their shape (round, teardrop-shaped), surface texture (smooth and ribbed texture), and filling (saline, gel, hydrogel). The shape and size of the implants are chosen individually, based on the natural relief of the patient's breast.
Rehabilitation period after breast augmentation
The rehabilitation period after breast augmentation surgery is characterized by swelling, pain, bruising. For the first 14 days after surgery, patients are shown complete rest. During the first month, a specially selected compression garment should be worn. During the first three months after breast augmentation, patients should avoid physical activity, visit the pool, sauna. The final result after breast augmentation surgery can be assessed only after 9-12 months.
Breast augmentation: feedback for surgery
Before deciding on breast augmentation surgery, the examinations of which are very controversial, the patient must understand that mammoplasty is a complete operation, not a cosmetic procedure that carries certain health risks. To avoid the negative consequences of surgery, patients are encouraged to explore existing methods of breast augmentation surgery, the types of implants available, and to consult several plastic surgeons. Breast augmentation, examinations of which are available on the global network, requires significant experience of a plastic surgeon in this particular direction. The surgeon's mistake can lead to side effects in the form of asymmetry, different sizes, visible scars, as well as the development of capsular contracture, inflammation, implant rejection and damage during the operation.
Breast augmentation before and after
Many plastic surgeons offer patients to study the portfolio that contains the surgeon's work on breast augmentation before and after. This visual demonstration of the results allows patients to assess the real possibilities of the operation. The portfolio shows photos of patients and the results of breast augmentation before and after from different angles. Computer modeling allows the desired proportions to be applied to the actual physical image of the patient.