What Is A Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation surgery increases or restores breast size using silicone implants, saline implants or in some cases, fat transfer. One of the most popular and frequently performed aesthetic surgery procedures, breast augmentation has a long and successful track record in satisfying women who wish to enhance, regain or restore balance to their figures. Genetics or natural changes in your body can leave you with breasts that are too small or lack definition. You may feel that your breasts fail to provide you with the feminine curves you desire. Whether you lack fullness, volume, or an attractive shape, a breast augmentation can help.
How Is The Procedure Performed?
Your anatomy and health profile as well as your personal preferences will help you and Dr. Aboumoussa determine:
- The best type of surgery for you
- Your optimal breast size
- The type of implant and incision location that will best fill your needs.
Breast implants: In breast augmentation using implants, your surgeon makes an incision, lifts the breast tissue, creates a pocket in the chest/breast area and places an implant in the pocket.
Implants types:
- Silicone: These implants are comprised of 100% pure grade silicone. Their advantages are that they tend to look and feel more natural and they are less likely to rupture.
- Saline: These implants consist of an outer silicone shell filled with a sterile saltwater solution. Their advantages are that it allows the breasts to retain a more natural shape, and the procedure includes smaller incisions because the implants are filled after they are placed.
Fat transfer: An additional option for breast augmentation is autologous fat transfer, a process in which Dr. Aboumoussa removes your own fat, using liposuction, from a fat-yielding body part (such as your abdomen, thighs, or flanks) processes and refines it and then injects it into your breasts.
Also note that, for a breast augmentation procedure:
- If your breasts are sagging, a breast lift may be recommended in conjunction with breast augmentation.
- If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, be sure to tell your plastic surgeon. The surgeon may recommend that you stabilize your weight before undergoing surgery.
Where Will My Breast Implants Be Placed?
Dr. Aboumoussa will assess multiple factors to determine how your breast implant is inserted and positioned. He will then recommend the implant to be placed in a pocket either:
- Underneath the pectoral muscle, which is located between the breast tissue and chest wall; or
- Underneath the breast tissue and on top of the pectoral muscle.
FAQs
An incision can be made in one of five places:
- Inframammary: Underneath the breast, just above the crease around the areola; in the armpit; or in the belly button (saline only).
- Transaxillary: Near the armpit, where the arm meets the chest area
- Periareolar: Around the lower edge of the areola (the dark area surrounding the nipple)
- Transumbilical: in the navel
- Abdominal: This incision is made when the breast augmentation procedure is associated with an abdominoplasty.
There is usually little to no visible scarring after this procedure however this highly depends on your genes, skin quality, and maintenance routine. Scars usually disappear up to one year after the surgery.
It will take you approximately one week before you can return to your normal level of activity and work. After the surgery, you will receive detailed instructions about your post-surgical care, including information about normal symptoms you will experience and your recovery process.
Dr. Aboumoussa will consult with you to determine the best method of keeping you comfortable during your breast augmentation surgery. This may include intravenous sedation (assisted local anesthesia) or general anesthesia.
Under normal circumstances, the results of your breast augmentation surgery will be long-lasting; however, it’s important to know that breast implants may need to be replaced. Routine follow-up with your surgeon is important.
Fat transfer surgery has different expectations, including losing some volume over time.
Bear in mind that breasts can change due to:
- Childbirth
- Aging
- Weight gain or loss
- Hormonal factors
- Gravity
After several years, if you become less satisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a breast revision to exchange your implants, or a breast lift to restore a more youthful shape and contour.
If your breasts are sagging, a breast lift may be recommended in conjunction with breast augmentation.
Some patients decide to also undergo an Abdominoplasty at the same time as breast augmentation. When abdominoplasty is associated with a breast augmentation, there is no visible scarring on the breast. Other additional or related procedures such as liposuction or upper body lift can also be considered.