Breast Augmentation
What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation surgery is one of the three most common plastic surgeries in the world. It is intended to change the shape, the size and the volume of the breasts. They are among the surgeries with the highest patient satisfaction rates. Though several methods such as filling agents, medication, fat injection and stem cell have been developed, silicone implants are still the most preferred method.
Who undergoes breast augmentation surgery?
Women over the age of 18 with small or medium size breasts due to genetic factors, childbirth or weight gain and loss can undergo this operation. For saggy breasts with larger volumes, breast augmentation should be performed together with mastopexy; breast lift surgery.
What should be done prior to surgery?
As in all plastic surgeries, the patient should quit smoking minimum two weeks prior to the operation and should also avoid smoking for two weeks after the operation. Anticoagulant drugs, such as Aspirin etc. should be quitted minimum 10 days before the operation. The patient should discontinue any other medication or dietary supplement (medication that include Ginseng, CoQ, Gingko Bloba etc.) 1 week before the surgery. The patient should also disclose any other significant condition to their surgeon.
How are the implants determined prior to surgery?
Average size of the implants can be determined according to the current condition of the patient’s breasts, skin elasticity, shoulder and hip size and skin tissue thickness. The location of the incision, the location of the implants and their sizes are determined considering the cleavage and size preference of the patients.
What is the surgery technique?
It takes 1 to 1.5 hours under general anaesthesia. Patients are often released from the hospital the following day. Location of the incisions is agreed on after the examination. These incisions are usually made starting from the line under the breasts, around the nipple or at armpits. They are approximately 3-4 cm long. Then, a pocket is prepared in the area agreed on during the examination depending on the size and the diameter of implant. The location can be under the breast, under the membrane, under the muscle or both. Once a suitable implant is placed in the pocket, the wound is closed. There is no need for large bandages or dressing. When patients are released from the hospital the following day, they are advised to use supporting bra to reduce pressure.
What to expect after breast augmentation surgery?
Patients who are released from the hospital the day after the surgery can feel difficulty in moving their arms for a few days. They can have a bath on the second day. The feeling of pressure at breasts should be gone after the 1st week. Patients can resume their works at the end of the first week. They should avoid sports activities that put pressure on the arms for 1.5 months. It might take 1 to 1.5 months for the breasts to get softer and the implants to settle.
Frequently asked questions about breast augmentation surgery:
What kinds of implants are used?
We can say that there are 2 types of implants in general. Implants filled with saline (liquid) and silicone implants. Implants filled with saline are less preferred nowadays as they have some disadvantages, such as volume loss or deformation. 5th generation stabilized silicon implants are preferred more and more as they preserve their shape, do not lose volume, they have no blowing risk and they keep capsular contracture formation at minimum level. Silicone implants are divided into two: Teardrop shaped (anatomical) and round shaped implants. The shape should be determined depending on the breast size and preferences of the patients.
Will there be scarring?
Yes, just in every surgery, there would be scaring in implant surgeries as there are incisions. Skin colour, skin elasticity and thickness influence the quality of these scaring. It is possible to help the scarring heal 60-70% better by using some of the aesthetical surgery techniques. Scarring becomes less visible at the end of the first year.
Does the operation affect breast feeding?
No, it doesn’t. Thanks to proper techniques used during surgery, breast tissue or milk canals are not cut, so breast feeding isn’t affected. Researches have shown no negative effect on babies breastfed by people with silicone implants.
Does silicone cause cancer?
Researches have shown no correlation between silicone implants and breast cancer. On the contrary, breast cancer in women with silicone implants is less compared to women with normal breasts. This can be associated with the fact that, women with silicone implants have less breast tissue than the others.
Is it necessary to change silicone implants later on?
New generation silicone implants can be used for a life time unless they cause a problem. They don’t need replacement.