Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that increases the size or changes the shape of the breasts. It is a commonly performed cosmetic procedure, and plastic surgeons perform it for both aesthetic and reconstructive purposes. People pursue the procedure for many personal reasons, with the surgical approach varying based on a patient’s anatomy, goals, and health history. A basic understanding of this procedure can help individuals have more productive discussions with a surgeon.
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that adds volume to the breasts. Surgeons typically achieve this result by placing implants beneath the breast tissue or the chest muscle. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision in a planned location, creates a pocket for the implant, places the implant, and closes the incision with sutures. Recovery timelines vary by individual, and the surgeon provides specific aftercare instructions following the procedure. Breast augmentation differs from a breast lift, which raises and reshapes the breasts without adding significant volume.
What Is It Used For?
Breast augmentation can serve several purposes. Some individuals seek a fuller appearance or a closer proportion between the breasts and the rest of the body, and this is one of the most common reasons people explore this procedure. Other common reasons people pursue the procedure vary, including:
- Restoring Lost Volume: Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, and aging may change the volume and shape of the breasts, and augmentation helps restore fullness that has decreased over time.
- Addressing Asymmetry: Breasts that differ noticeably in size or shape can be brought into closer balance.
- Correcting Developmental Differences: Certain conditions that affect the appearance of the breast may be addressed with augmentation techniques.
A surgeon can discuss which goals are realistic for a patient’s body type.
What Techniques Fall Under It?
Breast augmentation may be customized in several ways; the type of implant, its shape, and where it is placed all influence the final result. Your surgeon can help you weigh the options, basing a decision on your body and your goals. Saline implants have a shell filled with sterile salt water. The FDA has approved saline implants for cosmetic augmentation in patients 18 and older.
Silicone gel implants are filled with a gel that closely resembles the feel of natural breast tissue; the FDA has approved them for cosmetic augmentation in patients 22 and older. Highly cohesive versions, sometimes called form-stable implants, hold their shape more firmly. Your surgeon is able to explain how each choice may affect your results and recovery.
Consult a Plastic Surgeon
Breast implants are not classified as lifetime devices, and some patients can require replacement or removal at some point. Patients with implants who undergo mammograms should inform the imaging technician beforehand, since special positioning techniques may be used. A plastic surgeon can evaluate your anatomy, explain the benefits and limitations of each implant type and technique, and describe what long-term maintenance will involve. This discussion may help you make an informed decision about whether breast augmentation aligns with your goals.
