Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation surgery (mammaplasty) uses breast implants to enlarge or enhance the breast size of women who desire a more prominent chest, or whose breast volume has reduced due to pregnancy or weight loss.
Types of Breast Implants
There are two main varieties of breast implants on the market, though certain facilities may offer further choices.
Silicone implants are made from an elastic silicone gel with very similar properties to real breast tissues in terms of both feel and movement. If the implant should leak, the gel may either filter out of the implant shell and into the main implant pocket, or stay floating in the shell. Such leaks do not always cause silicone implants to collapse, so it can be essential to organize regular checkups to keep an eye on their condition. This is usually achieved with MRIs or ultrasounds. Silicone implants are approved by the FDA for women aged 22 and over.
Saline implants are filled with a certain amount of sterile salt water, the amount of which differs depending on the corrections to be made and the preferences of the patient. The amount of saline changes how the breast looks and feels, affecting both the breast's shape and firmness. Leaks in saline implants are often easier to determine than with silicone implants, as the saline implant collapses. The saline solution is safely absorbed and later ejected with no intervention necessary. Women have FDA approval to seek saline implants from the age of 18.
It is worth noting that younger women may be permitted to have breast augmentation surgery if the goal is reconstruction.
Silicone or Saline?
You should be open and specific about your desires and expectations when meeting with the surgeon. Size and shape are personal preferences, and your thoughts on these matters will play a part in determining which implants are best suited to you. The surgeon also makes structural considerations concerning your body and skin type and breast anatomy.
The Surgery
When you are under anaesthetic or intravenous sedation, the surgery begins with precise incisions which depend on the type of implant, extent of enlargement, body type and the preference of surgeon or patient. Common incisions include the transaxillary incision just above the armpit, the periareolar incision at the base of the nipples, and the inframammary incision near the bottom of the breast.
The implants are inserted into pockets behind the breast tissue and on top of the chest's pectoral muscle, or underneath the pectoral muscle. This placement also depends on the aforementioned factors. Sutures are then layered into the breast tissue to close the incisions.
Results
The results are immediately apparent, though at first accompanied by the swelling common to all surgeries. In time the swelling and incision lines should both diminish. The improvements are designed to be long-lasting. Follow the surgeon's instructions to help the implants last for as long as possible.
Replacement
Unfortunately implants are not permanent, and in some cases they can also leak and collapse. The effects of aging plus other natural factors like weight change will also change the appearance of the breasts. This means that the implants are likely to need replacing at some point if you are unhappy with how the breasts change over time. A breast lift is another option.
How much does it cost?
The cost of breast enhancement or enlargement usually ranges from $5000 to $8000, but the exact price depends on the surgeon, your area, and the specifics of the surgery. Silicone implants are more expensive than saline. Most insurance companies do not cover breast augmentation.