Breast Enhancement

January 8th, 2010 by author

Breast enhancement surgery, which is also known as breast augmentation or breast enlargement surgery, is among the most commonly performed cosmetic operations for women. More than 350,000 breast enlargement procedures were conducted in 2008 in the US alone, according to statistics collected by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, making it one of the most popular cosmetic operations for women.

Women consider breast enhancement surgery for a wide variety of reasons. This type of surgical procedure may be used to rectify a difference in the size of the breasts, as well as to reconstruct one or both breasts as a follow-up to a mastectomy or other surgical procedure; the term “breast reconstruction surgery” is generally used to refer to cases such as these. Breast enhancement is also used to deal with genetic conditions involving the breasts such as micromastia, a condition involving the severe underdevelopment of the breasts, or other conditions which can result in the absence of breasts in females.

Most commonly, though, most women who decide to undergo breast enlargement surgery do so simply to improve the appearance of the breasts. Many women are concerned about the appearance of their breasts, and the misgivings associated with this can have negative social and even effects upon the individual’s career. By the same token, by achieving the type of appearance they desire, individuals can enhance all aspects of their lives. Taking these factors into consideration, it’s only natural that breast augmentation is such a popular option.

Breast augmentation surgery can make use of any of a variety of approaches and techniques, which differ with regard to their suitability to the individual depending on several factors such as the amount of augmentation desired, body type, operations undergone previously, and others. All breast enhancement procedures involve the use of implants. Two common types of breast implants are currently in use: silicone implants and saline implants.

Saline implants are somewhat less popular than silicone ones, and are comprised of a shell made of a silicone elastomer which, after initially being inserted during the breast enhancement procedure, is filled with a saline (salt and water) solution. This means that they are slightly more versatile than silicone implants. At the same time, saline implants are considered to be useful only for less drastic augmentation procedures. They’re also somewhat vulnerable to rippling, wrinkling, and other such issues, as well as being considered to be more noticeable to the touch than silicone implants, although there is some debate on this point.

Conversely, silicone implants are pre-filled with a silicone gel, while using a silicone elastomer shell not particularly different from that of the saline implant. Silicone implants, like saline implants, have been in production since the 1960s, although the nature of silicone implants has changed gradually in the years since. The silicone implants on the market today are significantly different in comparison to the earliest ones; a semi-solid gel is now standard, and this virtually eliminates the leaking issues that first-generation implants, which contained a liquid-like gel, often suffered from.

Different techniques are used for the surgery itself. The inframammary incision method is the most common technique used for breast augmentation surgery. This method involves the use of an incision made in the area just below the breast, which is known as the inframammary area. The implant can be inserted through this incision. This technique involves perhaps the least risk of complications of any kind of breast augmentation procedure, and the scars that result are almost always completely hidden below the breast afterward.

An incision is made outside the edge of the areola in the periareolar incision method. Due to the small size of the incision used in this procedure, saline implants must be used. On the other hand, this method does allow for the surgeon to reposition the breast entirely, which may be requested by the patient in some cases.

Depending on certain factors, it may be desirable for the surgeon to make the incision farther away from the breast; this can also be requested by individuals who are adverse to scarring appearing in the area of the breast. The transaxillary incision is an incision made in the armpit area, while the transumbilical incision is an incision in the belly button area, which can be carried out at the same time as a tummy tuck. In both cases, the surgeon may use an endoscope in order to help in properly positioning the implant. Both of these procedures are usually only performed using saline implants.

Every type of surgical procedure involves some risk, and breast augmentation is no different. Also, following this kind of procedure, the patient will normally be required to observe a recovery regimen lasting at least six weeks, during which period strenuous physical activity is to be avoided in order to ensure that the operation is a success in the end.