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Breast augmentation or augmentation mammoplasty is a cosmetic procedure which involves using either fat transfer or breast implants to increase the size of woman’s breasts. Breast augmentation has been one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for a long time, and it can be used to achieve rounder breast shape, improve breast size asymmetry or restore breast volume after significant weight loss or pregnancy.
There are two types of breast augmentation: fat transfer which involves transferring fat from another part of the patient’s body to the breast to improve the volume of the breast or using implants to achieve another size or shape of the breast. The patient can choose between two types of implants: silicone or saline.
Today, many women want to increase their self-esteem by undergoing breast augmentation, so here are answers to most common breast augmentation questions shared by Peoria breast augmentation cosmetic surgeons.
1. What is the procedure like?
Breast augmentation can be done either as an outpatient procedure or include an overnight stay in the institution. It is done under general anesthesia. Once anesthesia begins to take effect, the surgeon makes an incision either in the armpit, along with the lower part of the areola or in the bottom crease of the breast. Most commonly used incision is the inframammary (bottom crease of the breast) because it causes fewer breastfeeding difficulties than the incision along the areola. Then the surgeon adjusts the implant to the previously discussed position, shape and symmetry, and compares both breasts to check the proper implant placement. At the end of the procedure, the surgeon closes the incisions with stitches.
2. Where is the implant commonly placed?
The implant will be placed under the chest muscle (submuscular placement), or under the breast tissue (subglandular placement) and over your chest muscle. Subglandular placement usually has reduced surgery and recovery time and is less painful than the submuscular placement. However, even though submuscular placement can require more difficult recovery, it results in less palpable implants and reduces the risk of developing complications. Since each of these implant placement types has its pros and cons, it’s best to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
3. What are the types of breast implants and what is the difference between implant types?
There are two basic types of breast implants: silicone gel and saline. Silicone gel implants are made of silicone shells filled with plastic silicone gel, and saline implants are silicone shells filled with sterile salt water. Even though the silicone implants carry a bigger risk in case of a leak or rupture, it creates a more natural look of the breast than the saline implant. A saline implant can “crease” underneath very thin skin and feel like water balloons. However, in the case of the saline implant rupture, the body absorbs all the leaking saline immediately, without any health risks.
By shape, implants can be teardrop-shaped and round. Teardrop shaped implants mimic the shape of the natural breast, while round shaped are circular and ideal for women who desire a less natural look. In some countries, saline implants are available for women from 18 years of age and above, but silicone implants are for women from 22 years of age and above.
4. What should I expect after surgery?
After the surgery, the incisions will be covered with gauze, and you will have to wear a special bra. The stitches are usually removed after 7-10 days. It’s extremely common to have bruising, swelling and pain in the breasts for several weeks after the surgery. It is recommended to wear a support bra all day to reduce swelling until the healing process completes. Within a few days, the patient will be able to return to work and her normal activities but should avoid heavy exercise, straining or anything that raises her pulse or blood pressure significantly. It is normal to have scars after the surgery, but they should partially fade after a few months, and they will usually be in areas that are not easily seen.
Breast augmentation procedure is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures of our time and choosing a licensed and quality surgeon is crucial for minimizing the chances of any complications. Before undergoing surgery, your surgeon and you will decide on the shape, size, and type of implants you want, and which will fit your body perfectly. (See also: Guide to Exercising After Breast Augmentation Surgery)
About The Author:
Joseph Harisson has 10 years of experience in IT industry as a web developer and cloud computing expert researching extensively for techendo.com. He frequently writes about IT and often spreads his views in other areas. In his free time, you will often find him taking a walk, or playing video games.
