Many options are available to women today. Breast implant manufacturers have developed many styles, unique features, shapes and sizes of breast implants. The implant shapes can be round, oval or contoured. They may be high or low profile or in-between. The surface of the implants are traditionally smooth to the touch, but can also be textured. The Implants are filled with either sterile salt water or silicone gel. Dr. Sacks can help you sort through all these options and decide on the one best suited for you.
Usually breast implants are surgically inserted utilizing one of four incisions:
-the inframammary incision, made in the skin fold below the breast
-the periareolar incision, made along the edge of the colored area around the nipple
-the transaxillary incision, made in the armpit.
-the trans-umbilical (through the belly button) method
All of these incisions allow the implant to be placed either submuscular (below the chest muscle) or subglandular (between the chest muscle and your breast tissue).
No one incision and placement is right for every woman.
If you are interested in learning more about breast enlargement or breast lifts, please call Arizona Cosmetic Surgery at (602) 277-1111. If you are outside of Arizona, please call (800) 765-2771.
Breast augmentation, also known as mammoplasty, is a surgical enhancement procedure to accentuate the size and shape of a woman's breasts. While breast augmentation will make the breasts larger, the surgery will not correct very droopy breasts. Breast augmentation is a tremendous help to patients who desire a fuller profile, who have lost breast volume due to pregnancy or nursing, or who have undergone breast reconstruction and want to gain a more natural look again
Reasons for Considering Breast Augmentation:
- Increase breast volume after pregnancy and nursing.
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Equalize a difference in breast size (cup size) to gain breast symmetry.
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Reconstruct breasts following a mastectomy or injury.
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Improve the appearance of the breast if there is slight sagging or lack of fullness in the upper portion of the breast.
General Procedure
Breast augmentation involves making a small incision to insert a breast implant into the breast area in order to enlarge the breast. The surgery is commonly performed on an outpatient basis at a hospital or state-of-the-art surgical unit while the patient is under a general anesthesia and asleep. There are several possible locations for the small incision that will be used for inserting the breast implant. The most frequent technique utilizes an incision made in the lower portion of the breast. Another technique, though less frequently used, involves making an incision in the armpit. A third technique makes an incision around the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). Another technique uses an incision in the belly button, thus reducing the chance of scarring in the breast area. The best technique will be decided together between the patient and the surgeon during the consultation.
During surgery, the breast tissue is raised to create an open pocket under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle. Inserting an implant behind each breast can increase a woman's breast size by one or more bra cup sizes. Implants typically contain a saline solution (similar to saltwater) although in special cases the implants can contain a silicone gel. In some circumstances, particularly those in which there is breast asymmetry (uneven breast size), an inflatable implant may be used to allow the surgeon to adjust the level of inflation to attain breast symmetry and balance. Surgery typically lasts from 1 to 3 hours.
Recovery Process
Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. Bandages are applied right after surgery to aid the healing process and to minimize movement of the breasts. Once the bandages are removed, a specialized surgical bra will need to be worn for several weeks. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with the surgery. This pain can be treated effectively with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions given by the physician after surgery.
Call Dr. Sacks at Arizona Cosmetic Surgery at 602-277-1111 for a free consultation or if you are from another state, call toll free 800-765-2771.
For Complications of Breast Augmentation- see under Complications of Cosmetic Surgery in the Procedures section.