BREAST AUGMENTATION
Artificial enlargement of the breasts. Breast augmentation may be done by insertion of a silicone bag (prosthesis) under the breast (submammary) or under the breast and chest muscle (subpectoral), after which the bag is filled with saline solution.
WHAT IS BREAST AUGMENTATION?
Breast augmentation, sometimes referred to as a "breast aug" or "boob job" by patients, involves using breast implants or fat transfer to increase the size of your breasts. This procedure can also restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy, achieve a more rounded breast shape or improve natural breast size asymmetry.
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Breast augmentation is also referred to as augmentation mammoplasty. When fat from another part of the patient's body is used to create the improved breast volume, the procedure is referred to as fat transfer breast augmentation.
WHAT DOES BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY ACCOMPLISH?
Increase fullness and projection of your breasts
Improve balance of breast and hip contours
Enhance your self-image and self-confidence
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Breast implants may also be used for breast reconstruction after mastectomy or injury.
WHAT DOES BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY NOT ACCOMPLISH?
Breast augmentation does not correct severely drooping breasts. A breast lift may be required along with a breast augmentation for sagging breasts to look fuller and lifted.
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Breast lifting can often be done at the same time as your augmentation or may require a separate operation. Your plastic surgeon will assist you in making this decision.
OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
Breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants.
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Pregnancy, weight loss and menopause may influence the appearance of augmented breasts over the course of your lifetime.
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Breast augmentation requires regular examinations of your breasts' health and to evaluate the condition of your breast implants.
IMPLANTS
There are two basic types of breast implants: saline and silicone gel. Saline-filled implants are silicone shells filled with sterile salt water (saline). Some are pre-filled and others are filled during the implant operation.
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We can also find them textured.
SALINE IMPLANTS
Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. Should the implant shell leak, a saline implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body.
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Saline breast implants provide a uniform shape, firmness and feel, and are FDA-approved for augmentation in women age 18 or older.
SILICONE IMPLANTS
Silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel. The gel feels a bit more like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket. A leaking implant filled with silicone gel will not collapse.
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If you choose silicone implants, you may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly. An ultrasound or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants.
GUMMY BEAR IMPLANTS
Form-stable implants are sometimes referred to as gummy bear breast implants because they maintain their shape even when the implant shell is broken.
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The consistency of the silicone gel inside the implant is thicker than traditional silicone gel implants. These implants are also firmer than traditional implants.
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Shaped gummy bear breast implants have more projection at the bottom and are tapered towards the top. If a shaped implant rotates, it may lead to an unusual appearance of the breast that requires a separate procedure to correct.
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Placement of gummy bear implants requires a slightly longer incision in the skin.
ROUND IMPLANTS
Round breast implants have a tendency to make breasts appear fuller than form-stable implants. Higher profile options can achieve even more projection.
Because round implants are the same shape all over, there is less concern about them rotating out of place.
SMOOTH IMPLANTS
Smooth breast implants are the softest feeling. They can move with the breast implant pocket, which may give more natural movement.
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Smooth implants may have some palpable or visible rippling under the skin.
TEXTURED IMPLANTS
Textured breast implants develop scar tissue to stick to the implant, making them less likely to move around inside of the breast and become re-positioned.
Texturing offers some advantage in diminishing the risk of a tight scar capsule.