WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BREAST ENLARGEMENT

Breast augmentation or breast augmentation or breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to increase the size, shape or fullness of the breast.

For breast augmentation, the plastic surgeon places implants filled with special silicone, saline or biocomposite material, breast implants under the pectoralis major muscle or under the breast tissue. Modern implants can serve the entire life of the patient and most manufacturers give their implants a lifetime warranty.

Why should a woman enlarge her breasts?

Breast augmentation is done for:

• Enlargement of naturally small breasts
• Restore breast size and shape after pregnancy, weight loss or breastfeeding
• Restore symmetry when breasts are asymmetrical
• Breast reconstruction after breast removal surgery

Plastic surgery includes reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.

Reconstructive breast surgery is performed as part of the treatment of breast cancer. Aesthetic breast surgery is performed to improve the appearance. Breast augmentation is usually cosmetic surgery.

In a 2007 study by researchers at the University of Florida, breast augmentation through cosmetic surgery increased women's self-esteem and feelings and sexuality. It allows you to get a higher paying job, to achieve more recognition.

What are breast implants?

A breast implant is a medical device that is placed under the mammary gland or under the pectoralis major muscle to enlarge, reconstruct or create an aesthetic shape of the breast.

Breast implants may contain silicone, saline, or another compound.

There are three main types of breast implants:

1. Saline implantsare filled with sterile saline, which is simply sterile salt water. The solution is inside a silicone shell. These implants can be filled with different amounts of saline. This affects the sensation that is felt when pressing on the mammary gland, it can be either softer or harder, at the request of the patient, in addition, the different density will determine the different shape of the mammary gland. If the saline implant is damaged and leaks, the solution will not harm the patient, as the saline solution is natural to the body and it will simply be absorbed by the body without a trace, the only drawback is that the implant will have to change as the volumethe breast will decrease.
2. Silicone gel implantsconsist of a silicone outer shell filled with silicone gel. If the silicone implant leaks, the gel will either remain in the shell or fall into the breast implant pocket. And it will not spread in the body. Modern implants, even if the shell is damaged, do not spread. These implants are most commonly used today.
3. Alternative composite implantsare rarely used and can be filled with either biodegradable material, soybean oil or some other material.

What should be decided before the operation?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure, so patients should carefully consider whether they really need this procedure.

1. It is necessary to choose where the implant will be placed - under the pectoralis major muscle or under the glandular tissue. Your surgeon will help you resolve this. Implants are most often placed under the muscle.
2. Before the operation, the surgeon together with the patient selects the required size of the implant. This is done either with the help of special sizes that fit into the bra and the patient can assess the size and comfort of wearing it. In addition, the patient, together with the doctor, chooses the density of the implant, its shape (round or anatomical). Manufacturer of implants.
3. The surgeon and patient should discuss incision options.

The following options are available:

• Incision under the breast made in the fold under the breast;
• Transaxillary incision of the armpit;
• Incision around the edge of the areola (periareolar) or through the areola (transareolar).

The choice of incision depends on several factors, including the magnification, the anatomy of the patient, the type of implant, and the preferences of the surgeon and the patient.

In addition, the patient must choose the type of anesthesia, and this operation is often performed under general anesthesia. But if the patient wishes, it is generally possible with local anesthesia.

How does the operation work?

After the patient falls into a medical sleep or after performing local anesthesia, the surgeon makes a skin incision at the site, according to the type of access agreed with the patient, with a length of about 4, 5 centimeters and then, using special tools, forms a pocket, in which an endoprosthesis is placed.

The pocket can form either directly under the breast tissue or under the pectoralis major muscle (this is discussed with the patient before surgery):

• With an axillary pocket placed under the pectoralis major muscle.
• The submammary or subglandular pocket is simpler, with the pocket forming in the space between the mammary gland and the pectoralis major muscle.

Wound suturing

In their practice, plastic surgeons often use so-called cosmetic, or more correctly, intradermal sutures, usually applying several rows of sutures, which most often do not need to be removed, over time they dissolve on their own. In addition, the plastic surgeon can use a special surgical adhesive and special sterile tapes to tighten the edges of the wound so that the scar is least noticeable in the postoperative period.

The crop lines will be visible at first, but over time they will almost disappear.

Evaluate the results

Surgery can lead to swelling, hematomas (bruises), but this should disappear within two to four weeks. Usually the end result is formed no earlier than 3-6 months after surgery. Therefore, the patient will be able to decide whether the procedure meets her expectations only after some time.

Recovery period

The recovery period takes 1 month. During this period, there are certain restrictions that will be communicated to the patient by the doctor and a special note will be issued for their correct application. The pain worries the patient only on the first day after the operation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve the pain. In rare cases, narcotic analgesics. Then the pain practically disappears. There remains a slight inconvenience. After the operation you should not swim in open and closed waters, bathe, sleep on your back, raise your arms high, engage in active sports and hard physical labor. All these restrictions are temporary for 1 month. Then the patient can live in peace, as he lived before the operation, you can fly a plane and dive by diving. The most important thing in the postoperative period is to wear special compression underwear. Underwear should be worn strictly 1 month after surgery, and then another 3 months during sports, heavy physical activity.

The next day after the operation the patient can leave the clinic if he wishes. The patient is monitored once a week, for the first two weeks, then after a month. Then three months later. And then an annual review.

Absorbent (absorbent) fibers usually dissolve within 6 weeks. The patient will take care of the suture at home. This is not difficult at all.

If the patient has incomprehensible sutures, an additional visit will be required to remove them.

After the operation, the surgeon will not only tell you how to behave in the postoperative period, but will also provide you with a statement with recommendations, which will say:

• How to take care of your breasts after the procedure;
• How to use prescribed medications;
• When to come for the next visit;
• When to call your doctor.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you receive:

• any signs of infection, such as fever above 38 degrees, fever or redness in the chest area;
• severe chest pain or a sharp increase in breast size /

What are the risks of this operation?

Each operation increases the risk of sudden death from myocardial infarction, stroke, thromboembolism during or immediately after surgery. But fortunately, such complications are extremely rare. And in modern clinics there is all the equipment for resuscitation and anesthesia, which minimizes these risks to almost zero.

Some of the risks and complications associated with breast augmentation:

• Painful mammary glands;
• Inflammation of the breast;
• Feeling in the chest, nipples may temporarily change or become more or less pronounced;
• Implant rupture;
• bleeding;
• Accumulation of fluid (seroma).

A specific complication of this operation is the capsular contracture - a thick capsule forms around the implant. Which can deform the mammary gland or make it extremely painful and dense. During the consultation, the surgeon will tell you in detail about this complication and how to avoid it.

Also, even cosmetic stitches can become red, thick and painful or flat and wide. This can lead to a second operation to remove such scars.