Breast Enhancement Surgery

Despite the introduction of new techniques and possibilities in the field of cosmetic surgery, breast enhancement continues to be one of the most popular cosmetic procedures since the early 1900s.  More than 350,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed in 2008 in the United States alone, according to statistics collected by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, which confirms its popularity.

 There are a variety of reasons as to why a woman may pursue breast enhancement surgery.  Breast enhancement is commonly used to rectify a difference in the size of the breasts, as well as to reconstruct one or both breasts after a mastectomy or other surgical procedure; the term “breast reconstruction surgery” is generally used in cases such as these.  Surgery is also used to deal with genetic conditions affecting the breasts such as micromastia, a condition involving severe underdevelopment of the breasts, as well as other conditions which can result in the complete absence of one or both breasts.

 Above all, though, the majority of women who undergo breast enhancement surgery do so simply to enhance the appearance of the breasts.  Many women are concerned about the appearance of their breasts, and the misgivings that result are likely to have problematic social and even effects upon the individual’s career.  Conversely, by achieving the type of appearance they want, individuals can improve every aspect of their lives.  Taking these factors into consideration, it’s not surprising that breast enhancement is so widely performed.

 There are many different methods in use for breast enhancement surgery procedures, which differ with regard to their suitability to the individual dependent upon several factors including the amount of augmentation desired, body type, prior operation history, and others.  Breast augmentation surgery makes use of implants, prostheses which are placed beneath either the mammary tissue or the muscle.  There are two common kinds of breast implants: silicone implants and saline implants.

 Of these two types, saline implants are the less common one, and are comprised of a shell made of a silicone elastomer which, after initially being implanted during the surgical procedure, is inflated with a a saline solution, containing water and salt.  This makes them somewhat more versatile in comparison to silicone implants.  At the same time, saline implants are considered to be useful only for relatively minor augmentation procedures.  They are also slightly susceptible to rippling, wrinkling, and other such issues, as well as being thought to be more obvious to the touch compared to silicone implants, although this point is debatable.

 Silicone implants, meanwhile, are pre-filled with a silicone gel, while having a silicone elastomer shell not overly different from those used with saline implants.  Silicone implants, like saline implants, have been around since at least the 1960s, although the construction of silicone implants has changed incrementally since that time.  Modern silicone implants are substantially different from the ones sold initially; the gel in use now is semi-solid, which all but completely erases the issues with leaking that earlier implants, which contained a liquid-like gel, often suffered from.

 The surgical procedure itself may also take different forms.  The inframammary incision method is the most commonly used method used for breast augmentation surgery.  This technique makes use of an incision made in the area directly below the breast, which is known as the inframammary area.  The implant is inserted by way of this incision.  The inframammary incision method involves perhaps the least risk of complications of any kind of breast enhancement procedure, and the resulting scars are usually well concealed underneath the breast following the procedure.

 The periareolar incision method makes use of an incision along the outside of the areola.  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 entirely reposition the breast, which may be desired by the patient in some cases.

 Depending on a number of factors, the surgeon may need to make the incision in an area more distant from the breast; this can also be requested by patients who are concerned with scarring appearing in the vicinity of the breast.  The transumbilical incision is an incision made in the navel area, which may be performed simultaneously with a tummy tuck, while a transaxillary incision is an incision made in the armpit area.  In both cases, an endoscope may be employed in order to aid with the correct placement of the implant.  Saline implants are usually required for either of these procedures.

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

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