Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to enhance breast size and shape for aesthetic reasons. It is commonly chosen by individuals who are dissatisfied with their natural breast size, as well as by women who have undergone a mastectomy due to cancer. There are several types of implants available for breast augmentation, and the choice of implant is tailored to each person's needs and goals in consultation with their surgeon.
How is the (Breast Augmentation) Surgery Performed?
Not everyone is a candidate for breast augmentation surgery, so suitability is determined through a thorough evaluation by your surgeon. If you are eligible, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision, usually under the chest, and places implants filled with either saline (salt water) or silicone gel, either beneath the breast tissue or under the chest muscles. While the surgery itself is painless due to anesthesia, it's normal to experience some discomfort afterward. The type of implant chosen can also influence your recovery process and outcomes.
For Whom Is Breast Augmentation Surgery Performed?
Breast augmentation surgery is a procedure performed on people who are not satisfied with their breast size. The reasons for applying for breast augmentation surgery are often the following:,
Enlarging small breasts
Regrowing shrunk breasts linked to weight loss
Eliminating the appearance of asymmetrical breasts
Creating the breast appearance again after Mastectomy
Placement options
During breast augmentation surgery, implants can be positioned either behind the breast tissue (subglandular placement) or beneath the chest muscle (submuscular placement). The choice of placement depends on individual anatomy and desired outcomes, and will be discussed with your surgeon prior to surgery.
Submuscular Placement
With submuscular placement, breast implants are positioned beneath the chest muscle. This technique often results in a naturally fuller breast appearance and is especially well-suited for individuals with minimal natural breast tissue, as it provides additional coverage and support for the implant.
Subglandular Placement
With subglandular placement, breast implants are positioned behind the breast tissue but above the chest muscle. This technique may be especially beneficial for individuals who experience breast sagging, as it can enhance breast shape and provide a more lifted appearance.
Types of breast implants
The type of implant selected is just as important as its placement technique in breast augmentation. Implants vary by surface texture, filling material (such as silicone gel or saline), and shape. The optimal implant type for you should be chosen in consultation with your surgeon, based on your individual goals and body characteristics.
Breast Implants Filled with Gel Inside
Gel-filled breast implants have a silicone shell filled with a cohesive silicone gel, providing a natural look and feel. After surgery, regular check-ups are recommended because gel-filled implants may require more monitoring than saline-filled implants to check for integrity and potential issues.
Breast Implants Filled with Saline Inside
Saline-filled breast implants are composed of a sterile saltwater solution enclosed in a silicone shell. The implant can be pre-filled before placement or filled with the saline solution during surgery. These implants come in various forms and typically feature a smooth outer shell.
Implant Shapes
Breast implants come in two main shapes: round and teardrop. Round implants are chosen for a fuller look and more volume at the top of the breast, while teardrop (anatomical) implants provide a more natural, sloped appearance and broader volume. The ideal shape for you will be selected in consultation with your surgeon based on your desired results and body type.
Implant surfaces are made of silicone and can be either smooth or textured. Smooth-surfaced implants feel softer and tend to move more naturally, while textured implants have a rougher feel and can help reduce the risk of the implant shifting or muscle contractions. The thickness of the implant shell can also vary, offering further customization to match your needs and preferences.
Do Silicone Prostheses Used in Breast Augmentation Surgery Explode?
Breast implants can rarely rupture or tear over time. This risk can increase with poor-quality implants, an inexperienced surgeon, or trauma to the breast. If a saline-filled implant ruptures, the saltwater is safely absorbed by the body. In contrast, when a silicone gel-filled implant ruptures, the gel often remains within the implant shell or surrounding tissue, making it less noticeable right away. Over time, this can cause pain, tenderness, or changes in breast shape. Regular check-ups are important”especially for gel-filled implants”to detect any issues early and monitor implant health.
What Are the Things That Need to Be Done Before Breast Surgery?
Before breast augmentation surgery, it's essential to have a blood test to ensure you're fit for surgery. Inform your surgeon about any medications you take and any existing health conditions. Always follow your surgeon's specific pre-operative instructions to help ensure a safe and successful procedure.
How Long Does It Take to Recover (After Breast Surgery)?
After breast surgery, stitches typically dissolve completely within about 2 months. If a drain was placed to reduce swelling, your doctor will remove it as scheduled. During the recovery period, it's important to avoid strenuous physical activity and prevent any direct impacts to the breasts for up to 2 months to ensure proper healing.
What is the Ideal Ratio in Breast Aesthetics?
In breast aesthetics, the desired size should reflect the individual's preferences. However, achieving a proportionate breast shape is also important for natural and harmonious results. A commonly used guideline is the "golden triangle, which suggests that the distance between the nipples should be equal to the distance from the base of the neck to each nipple. Your surgeon will help you balance your wishes with optimal proportions for your body.
How is the Healing Process After Breast Aesthetics?
Recovery after breast augmentation varies for each individual, depending on factors such as the type of implant, the surgical method, and the complexity of the procedure. Generally, full recovery takes about 1 to 2 months, though healing time may be shorter or longer based on personal factors and post-surgery care.
What are the Risks of Breast Augmentation Surgery?
As with any surgical operation, there are risks in breast aesthetics. These risks often refer to complications that occur during or after the procedure. But these complications tend to occur due to poor hygiene conditions, poor quality material use, and surgeries that are not performed by a specialist. Complications include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Change of feeling in the breasts
- Implant tear
- Asymmetrical appearance
- Visible implant
Is There an Age Limit For Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Breast augmentation surgery is generally recommended for individuals who have reached adulthood, and most implants are suitable for use after the age of consent. While some types of implants are officially approved for patients aged 22 and older, there is no strict upper age limit for receiving breast implants. Eligibility will be determined by your surgeon based on your health and individual needs.
How Long Does Breast Augmentation Surgery Take?
Breast augmentation surgery typically takes 60 to 90 minutes, depending on your specific needs and the procedures performed. In most cases, this is a day surgery, meaning you can usually go home the same day as your operation.
Breast Augmentation Surgery Prices
The primary factor influencing the price of breast augmentation surgery is the experience and expertise of the surgeon. Having your procedure done by a qualified specialist reduces the risk of complications. Additionally, the type of implant material and the amount of filler used can also impact the overall cost.
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* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Does a scar remain after breast augmentation surgery?
Postoperative scars vary depending on the area where the incision was opened. Incision scars tend to disappear over time and heal themselves so much that they are invisible. Incisions are opened from concealable areas to completely eliminate the appearance.
Is breast augmentation surgery an obstacle to breastfeeding?
After breast augmentation surgery breastfeeding is possible. But the area where the implant is placed can affect their ability to breastfeed. It is necessary to consult the doctor about this issue before the operation.
Will there be sagging again after breast augmentation surgery?
Implants have an average durability of more than 10 years. But due to implants that lose their properties over time, the breasts may start to sag again.
How to decide on breast size?
To decide on breast size, a person needs to take into account their lifestyle and desires. While people who do sports may feel uncomfortable with very large implants, people who want to correct asymmetry may find it appropriate to choose an implant that is the same size as their other breasts. At the same time, a person's breast tissue can also play a role in this choice. The size must be decided together with the surgeon.
How long is the lifespan of silicone prostheses used in breast augmentation surgery?
The silicone prosthesis used for large breasts should definitely be selected with high quality. Although the average durability is more than 10 years, a quality implant and regular check-ups can increase this process to more than 20 years.
What to Pay Attention to After Breast Reduction Surgery
After surgery, a one-day hospitalization is an expected result, as general anesthesia is administered. After the operation, you can walk and do light work within two weeks. It is considered normal for the first two weeks to pass with pain and swelling. During these two weeks, you should not lift heavy things and be alert to the symptoms that your doctor tells you to watch out for. It may take about six weeks for you to return to your normal exercises.
Since breast reduction surgery is performed with different methods, in different sizes, what needs to be paid attention to after surgery for each person will also vary. However, when you see an unexpected symptom after surgery, that is, if your wounds heal late, if you see swelling in an unexpected area, or if you suspect problems such as inflammation or loss of sensation, it may be useful to contact your doctor without wasting time.
Why do breasts sag?
Breasts of any size can sag, but due to gravity, large breasts are more prone to sagging. In addition, aging, hormone changes, pregnancy, weight gain and loss, and menopause can also cause sagging breasts. There are no studies showing that breastfeeding causes breast sagging.
How is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?
Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia. It usually takes between 2 and 5 hours. There are several different surgical methods that can be used. The specialist physician who will perform the procedure performs the operation by choosing one of these different methods depending on the shape and size of the breast. These methods are:
Liposuction Method: The surgeon inserts a tube into the vacuum device by opening small incisions in the area of the procedure. This tube works by pulling fat and liquids out of the breast. This method is preferred when less breast reduction will be performed, that is, if the breast is smaller and it is thought that the skin can compensate for the difference.
Lollipop Method or Vertical Incision: This method is preferred if a moderate reduction is to be performed or if sagging in the breast is desired to be corrected. The surgeon makes incisions from around the areola (the colored area around the nipple) to the area under the breast, and removes excess tissue and fat, shapes the breast and lifts the breast.
Reverse T Incision method (Anchor Method): This method is performed by making incisions along the lower fold of the breast, towards the bottom of the areola by the surgeon. It is usually preferred for large breast reductions and in cases where there is a lot of sagging or unevenness.
Since breast surgery is a major surgical operation (i.e., general anesthesia is used), the patient stays in the hospital for one day after the surgery.