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Breast Augmentation
Breast Augmentation can be a life changing experience for many women. Affecting their self confidence and overall happiness with their appearance.
Breast augmentation, technically known as "augmentation mammoplasty", is a surgical procedure which enhances the size and shape of a woman's breast for a number of reasons:
- To enhance the body contour of a woman who, for personal reasons, feels her breast size is too small.
- To restore breast volume lost due to weight loss or following pregnancy
- To achieve better symmetry when breasts are moderately disproportionate in size and shape
- To improve the shape of breasts that are sagging or have lost firmness, often used with a breast lift procedure
- To provide the foundation of a breast contour when a breast has been removed or disfigured by surgery to treat breast cancer
- To improve breast appearance or create the appearance of a breast that is missing or disfigured due to trauma, heredity, or congenital abnormalities
If you're considering breast augmentation, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure - when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. Since a lot depends on your individual circumstances, we recommend scheduling a professional consultation should you decide to pursue breast augmentation or any procedure. It is during this private, professional, face to face evaluation that you can become 100% comfortable with your own personalized goals and expectations and get answers to anything you want to understand about the procedure that isn't explained here.
If you would like to get a general idea of how breast augmentation would affect your appearance as well as gain a general feel for the size of augmentation you are interested in, an easy preview has been developed called the "rice test". To view instructions for the rice text, visit http://www.justbreastimplants.com/. They offer the instructions for this test as well as other great information on implants and augmentation.
Types of Implants
The choice of implant including size, shape and other features, will be determined based on your breast anatomy, body type and your desired increase in size. Your lifestyle, goals and personal preferences, as well your surgeons recommendation and sound surgical judgment, are also determining factors. Implant manufacturers occasionally introduce new styles and types of implants, and therefore there may be additional options available to you.
Breast implants are medical devices with a solid silicone, rubber shell. The implant shell may be filled with either saline solution (sterile salt water) or elastic silicone gel - both of which are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means it has been rigorously researched and tested, and reviewed by an independent panel of physicians for safety.
The size of a breast implant is measured in cubic centimeters (ccs) based on the volume of the saline or silicone filler. Breast implants vary both by filler and in size, but there are additional features to consider:
- Texture: the implant shell may be smooth or textured
- Shape: the implant may have a round profile or one that is anatomic (teardrop or tapered shape)
- Profile: the implant may have a low, medium or high projection (the depth of the implant from the base to the highest point of the implant curve)
- Diameter: the width of the implant measured across it's base (the side of the implant that will be positioned over the chest wall)
Adult women of any age can benefit from the enhancement that breast implants provide. It is usually recommended, however, that a woman's breasts are fully developed prior to placement of breast implants. Saline implants are FDA approved for augmentation in women 18 years of age and older. Silicone implants are FDA approved for augmentation in women age 22 and older. Saline or silicone implants may be recommended at a younger age if used for reconstruction purposes.
You should be aware that breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants. Regular examinations for breast health and to evaluate the condition of your implants are important whether you have chosen saline or silicone breast implants.
For many women, the result of breast augmentation can be satisfying, even exhilarating, as they learn to appreciate their fuller appearance. Even if you believe your implants are functioning well, it is important that you follow-up as directed with Dr. Jain to assess the condition of your breast implants. In addition, whether you choose to have breast implants or not, it is essential to your health that you practice a monthly breast self-exam and schedule regular diagnostic breast screenings.
Your decision to have breast augmentation is a highly personal one that not everyone will understand. The important thing is how you feel about it. If we have attained the goals that were set out during our professional consultation, then your surgery is a success.
After your surgery, you may want to consider using this short guide submitted to JPS by a physical therapist regarding post-op exercises that she designed after her surgery at Jain Plastic Surgery.
See before and after pictures here
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