Breast Augmentation

Are You Considering Having an Breast Augmentation Procedure?

Breast augmentation surgery is performed by cosmetic surgeons everyday worldwide, some women wonder if breast augmentation is safe? how much does breast augmentation cost? how painful is the procedure? how long will I be under anesthesia where will the surgery take place? - in a public hospital or private hospital room and so on. There are many question you should ask before going ahead with cosmetic surgery because you have to live with it for the rest of you life.

Before considering Breast Augmentation Surgery there are a few things you should take into consideration & know before you go ahead with the procedure.

Who is a Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
If you are in good health and your expectations are realistic then you are probably a good candidate for breast augmentation.

Reasons to have this procedure:
Improve shape, size & the appearance of the breast, Repair uneven or deformed breasts, Loss of volume caused by pregnancy, Replacement of existing implant for medical or cosmetic reasons or Breast reconstruction after mastectomy procedure.

Breast Implant Placement.
The breast implants can be placed above the chest muscle (Subglandular) or below the chest muscle (submuscular). Tou shoud disscuss the best placement for your new breast implants with the surgeon of your choice.

What Type of Implant Do you Want?
There are 2 types of implants to choose from Saline & Silicone.

Saline Implants are salt water filled implants, if the implant was to rupture, leak or tear the salt water would dissolve in your body with no affect or health risks to you. This means it would be faster to remove & replace the implant.

Gel Silicone Implants feel and look more natural, but Silicone Implants have a higher rate of capsular contracture (which cause pain & deformity). Also if one of the Silicone Implants ruptures this would cause intense pain, the implant would have to be removed immediately & there will be a stand down period before the implant can be replaced.

There is a new generation of Silicone Implants available which are called “Cohesive” Gel Silicone Implants that have been manufactured to stop the leakage of silicone to the body. Gel Silicone Implants have been approved by the FDA on the 17 November 2006 Click Here To Read Press Release.

Also you can find out more information about the approval of Saline breast implants HERE

Where do you want the Incision?
Along the crease beneath the breast where it meets the chest wall (inflammatory incision), In the armpit (transaxillary incision), Around the nipple (periareolar incision) & another alternative is through the belly button (Trans umbilical “Saline implants only”)

What are the Risks Involved with Breast Augmentation?
All cosmetic procedures carry some risk, here is a list of risks associated with Breast Augmentation…

Capsular Contracture: Scar tissue or capsule that normally forms around the implant, which tightens or squeezes the implant. (breast could become hard, painful, and looks abnormal).
Capsule: The scar tissue naturally forming around breast implants,
Symmastia occurs when the pocket is over-dissected. This can result in the pectoral muscle (or skin, in women with implants over the muscle) lifting off of the sternum. Symmastia is a very difficult complication to repair.
Scarring/Hypertrophic Scarring: Formation of tissue at the incision. All wounds heal by the formation of a scar. The degree of scarring varies from person to person, and skin type is an important factor for the development of scars. If the scarring becomes irregular and raised, it is called hypertrophic scarring. This may leave a visible and permanent scar. The keloid, is a severe type of hypertrophic scar, generally does not fade or flatten with time.
Rupture: This is when the breast implant tears causing it to leak & or deflate, Necrosis: Formation of dead tissue around the implant.
Excessive bleeding, Infection & Reaction to Anesthesia, Implant Infection, Breast Sensation Changes may also occur.

Things to Avoid Before Surgery.

If your a smoker you will need to stop at least 6 week prior to surgery. Why? because smoking can cause the blood to thicken and may cause blood clots which can lead to death.

  • Avoid Herbs, Vitamins and all Anti Inflammatory Medication. (ask surgeon or local doctor for more advice)View a free list of herbs, vitamins & anti inflammatory medications that should be avoided 2 weeks before surgery Click Here.

Having Realistic Expectations & Goals.
If you can answer these questions honestly then you should have no problems consulting with your surgeon about having realistic goals?a

  • Why do i want cosmetic surgery?
  • What do i specifically hope to achieve from having this operation?
  • What are the risks to your health and life by having breast surgery?
  • Am i willing to accept the risks involved with this surgery?
  • Do those who support me, support my decision to have breast surgery?
  • Is the decision mine alone?
  • What expectations do i have for the physical outcome of breast surgery?

With all cosmetic surgery procedures you cannot count on the results to be perfect, in some cases this does not happen. Please do not ignore the risks involved with cosmetic breast surgery and take care when choosing a surgeon.