When you look in the mirror, do you see what you want to see? Would breast augmentation improve the way you see yourself? The answers to these questions and your reasons for wanting breast augmentation are as unique and individual as you are.
You may be unhappy with the proportion of your breasts to your body. Or your breast volume or size may have decreased due to past pregnancies. Maybe you've noticed subtle changes during the natural course of aging. Whatever your reasons. you may feel it's time to do something about the size of your breasts. Providing there is enough skin prior to surgery, breasts can usually be increased two bra sizes and still look natural.
There are three approaches to placing the implant under the breast. The first is by making a small incision in the breast crease where the breast touches the chest. The second is an incision in the dark pink skin that encompasses the nipple. The third and most common approach (the one that we prefer) is an incision in the armpit in a crease. All incisions become less obvious in time but the armpit incision almost completely disappears. All incisions allow placement under the breast properly, the large chest muscle under the breast or the thick lining of the muscle which aids in camouflaging the implant. In general, the smaller the preop breast, the more likely the implant will be placed under the muscle or the lining of the muscle. The end result of any approach is a breast which is enlarged, contoured and natural looking.
Breast feeding, breast self examination and mammography studies are not hampered. There is absolutely no recorded evidence relating breast enlargements with silicone implants and breast cancer. Even though silicone implants were made of a non-toxic material that was well tolerated by the body, concerns about their safety have led to the development of saline implants filled with salt water instead of silicone gel. The shell of the implant is silicone but in a solid form, so there is no danger of any liquid silicone entering the body. The saline inside the implant is the same salt water that makes up 70% of the weight of humans. Obviously, if it were to leak out, it would be quickly absorbed with no ill effects.
A relatively new and exciting innovation in implants is the adjustable implant which allows the size change of the postop breast for up to six months after surgery. This implant is espescially helpful when a patient wants to be larger than two cup sizes from surgery, where the patient has different size breast and post op adjustments would be helpful, and where breast deformities exist which make normal breasts impossible with regular implants. Now the patient can participate in her post op adjustments to acheive her goal without the need for additional surgery. The manufactuer guarantees these implants for life against leakage or deflation and pays the surgical charges for reinsertion for ten years after surgery.
The full projection of the breasts will not be appreciated for about 6 weeks, as it takes this long for the implants to "settle". Be patient as the process of healing and the softening period does take time. The incision under the breast will usually turn dark and remain dark for a period of 2 to 3 months, then begin to fade. You will find this incision, slightly above the crease in the nipple area, gradually fades away with little or no scar. The incision under the arm fades quickly. The operation is usually done under a combination of local and light general anesthesias as an outpatient procedure and lasts about 45 minutes. The total time spent at the clinic including post-op recovery is about 3 hours. The patient may then return home under the care of a competent adult. Obviously, no patient having surgery in the clinic operating suite is allowed to drive home.
Costs vary depending upon the extent of the surgery and areas treated. Fees for elective surgery are usually paid prior to surgery. In general, cosmetic surgery is considered elective and is not covered by most insurance plans unless the primary reason for surgery is to improve function. To be sure, contact your insurance company before surgery.
