Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammaplasty, is a surgical enhancement procedure that accentuates the size and shape of a woman’s breasts.  Breast augmentation offers a tremendous improvement for patients who simply desire a fuller profile, or who have lost breast volume due to pregnancy.  While breast augmentation will make the breasts larger, this surgery will not correct severely sagging breasts (see Breast Lift Surgery).

Reasons to consider Breast Augmentation:

• Enhance the size of the breasts
• Increase breast volume after pregnancy and nursing
• Create symmetry between breasts of different size

General Procedure:

Breast augmentation involves making a small incision to insert a breast implant under the breast tissue in order to enlarge the breast.  The surgery is commonly performed on an outpatient basis at a hospital or state-of-the-art surgical center with the patient under general anesthesia.  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, beneath the fold.  Another technique makes an incision beneath the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple).  A third, less frequently used incision, involves making an incision in the armpit.  The best technique is individualized, and will be decided upon between the patient and the surgeon during the consultation.

During surgery, the breast tissue is raised to create a pocket under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall (pectoral) muscle.  Inserting an implant behind each breast can increase a woman’s breast size by one or more bra cup sizes.  The breast implant may be filled with silicone gel or saline.  Both of these are proven to be extremely safe and the final choice will be made after thorough discussion between the patient and surgeon prior to surgery. Surgery typically lasts from 1 to 3 hours.

Recovery Process

Detailed instructions will be given to the patient prior to surgery.  In general, it is important to get plenty of rest and limit arm movement after surgery in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time.  Supportive bandages are placed over the breasts after surgery and usually worn for one week.  Discomfort will be treated with oral pain medications, and usually improves rapidly over the next few days.  Breast swelling will be present initially and will diminish completely over the next few weeks. While complications are infrequent, it is important to review the potential risks with your doctor. Patients can help minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions given to them after surgery.