A woman’s breasts can have a significant impact on her self-image. For women that are not satisfied with the appearance of their breasts, breast augmentation may offer the fullness and size they are looking for. It may help to restore breasts that have undergone significant changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight fluctuations. Breast augmentation may also be requested by women that require reconstruction after a mastectomy or some sort of trauma to the breasts. This procedure is one of the most popular performed by plastic surgeons across the globe today, due to the high rates of patient satisfaction this surgery offers.
Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure that increases the size and fullness of the breasts using synthetic implants. Implants come in a broad range of sizes and shapes today, allowing us to customize your breast augmentation to your unique body shape and size, as well as your desired results.
While a breast augmentation will increase the size of the breasts, it will not correct severely drooping breasts, a condition known as ptosis. However, we can perform a breast lift procedure at the same time as your augmentation, restoring your breasts to a higher, more youthful position on the chest while giving you the fullness you desire through augmentation.
Types of Breast Implants
Aesthetic Specialty Centre Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, located near Atlanta, Georgia, tailors each surgery to the patient’s individual needs. Desired size, breast anatomy and body type will help determine the best type of breast implant to be used. Some of your options in breast implants include:
Saline Implants – these implants feature a silicone shell filled with sterile salt water, usually after the implant is placed into the breast tissue. The amount of solution used depends on your preferred size, shape and feel. One benefit of saline breast implants is that if they rupture, the leaking will cause the shell to collapse and the saline will be naturally absorbed by the body and expelled. Saline breast implants are FDA-approved for use in women 18 years and older.
Silicone Implants – These implants, which also feature a silicone shell, are pre-filled with a silicone gel. The silicone offers a more natural look and feel to the breast and a wide range of sizes and profiles allow us to customize your implants to the specific look you want. The main drawback to silicone implants is that they require a slightly large incision to place them in the breast tissue since they are pre-filled. However, incisions are carefully placed in locations where post-surgical scarring will be as invisible as possible. Silicone implants have been approved by the FDA for patients 22 years and older.
Cohesive Gel Implants – Also crafted of a silicone material, these implants mimic the look and texture of the popular gummy bear candies. Cohesive gel implants are a relative newcomer to the breast augmentation scene, but have proven their worth in their ability to hold their shape even in the case of a tear or rupture. The implants also look and feel more like natural breast tissue than any other implant on the market today. Like the traditional silicone implants, these devices have been approved for patients 22 years and older.
Breast Implant Procedure
Breast augmentation is usually performed as an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia. The incision will be made in an inconspicuous location based on several factors, including the implant type and size, your specific anatomy and the personal preferences of both you and your surgeon. Options include:
- Around the areola (periareolar incision)
- In the breast crease under the breast (inframammary incision)
- In the armpit (transaxillary incision)
Breast implants are inserted into a pocket underneath the pectoral muscle or directly behind the breast tissue. This placement is also determined by many factors, including the patient’s size, the size of the breasts before augmentation and the type of implant used. As a general rule, placement under the pectoral muscle is preferred whenever possible. After the implant is in place, the incision will be closed using layered suturing to guarantee the best cosmetic result after surgery.
Breast Augmentation Recovery
Most patients are able to go home the same day as their breast augmentation procedure, although they will be taking it very easy for the first 24-48 hours after their procedure. Tenderness and swelling will be at its most severe at this time and pain medication will be needed to manage discomfort and prevent infection after surgery. Tenderness and swelling will most likely continue for a number of weeks while your breasts are healing fully. Once the breasts are healed, you can expect to enjoy the results of your breast augmentation for many years.
Breast augmentation using implants is a safe and effective plastic surgery procedure with a high rate of patient satisfaction. If you would like to learn more about breast augmentation, contact Aesthetic Specialty Centre Plastic Surgery & Dermatology in Roswell at (770) 393-9000 or in Greensboro at (706) 467-6500.
*The information about Breast Augmentation was reviewed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Marc E. Yune. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.