Breast Augmentation also known as augmentation mammaplasty, breast enlargement or breast implants.
Breast augmentation surgery increases or restores breast size using silicone gel implants, saline implants or in some cases, fat transfer. As one of the most popular and frequently performed aesthetic surgery procedures, breast augmentation has a long and successful track record in satisfying women who wish to enhance, regain or restore balance to their figures.
Breast augmentation surgery increases or restores breast size using silicone gel implants, saline implants or in some cases, fat transfer. As one of the most popular and frequently performed aesthetic surgery procedures, breast augmentation has a long and successful track record in satisfying women who wish to enhance, regain or restore balance to their figures.
When to Consider Breast Augmentation
- If you want a better proportioned or fuller figure
- When pregnancy, weight loss or aging has affected the size and shape of your breasts
- To restore symmetry if one of your breasts is smaller than the other
Considerations
Pros
Pros
- Augmentation is a long-term solution for achieving fuller breasts.
- Wide selection of implant volume and shape allows a range of outcomes to meet your goals.
- High satisfaction rate with the surgery.
- Breast implants require monitoring.
- Implants may eventually need to be replaced.
- Normal surgical risks are involved.
Considerations
Pros
Pros
- Augmentation is a long-term solution for achieving fuller breasts.
- Wide selection of implant volume and shape allows a range of outcomes to meet your goals.
- High satisfaction rate with the surgery.
- Breast implants require monitoring.
- Implants may eventually need to be replaced.
- Normal surgical risks are involved.
Are you a good candidate for breast augmentation?
The following are some common reasons why you may want to consider breast augmentation:
The following are some common reasons why you may want to consider breast augmentation:
- You believe your breasts are too small for your body.
- You feel self-conscious wearing a swimsuit or form-fitting or low-cut tops.
- Clothes that fit your hips are too large at the bust line.
- Your breasts have become smaller or less firm after you've had children.
- Your breasts have become smaller due to weight loss.
- One of your breasts is noticeably smaller than the other.
Detailed Procedural Info
In breast augmentation using implants, your surgeon makes an incision, lifts the breast tissue, creates a pocket in the chest/breast area and places an implant in the pocket. An additional option for breast augmentation is autologous fat transfer, a process in which your surgeon removes your own fat, using liposuction, from a fat-yielding body part (such as your abdomen, thighs, or flanks) processes it and then injects it into your breasts. Volume gains from fat transfer are more modest than implant surgery and typically add about one half a cup size per grafting session.
In breast augmentation using implants, your surgeon makes an incision, lifts the breast tissue, creates a pocket in the chest/breast area and places an implant in the pocket. An additional option for breast augmentation is autologous fat transfer, a process in which your surgeon removes your own fat, using liposuction, from a fat-yielding body part (such as your abdomen, thighs, or flanks) processes it and then injects it into your breasts. Volume gains from fat transfer are more modest than implant surgery and typically add about one half a cup size per grafting session.
Where will my breast implants be placed?
Multiple factors, including your anatomy and your surgeon's recommendations, will determine how your breast implant is inserted and positioned. The implant is placed in a pocket either:
Multiple factors, including your anatomy and your surgeon's recommendations, will determine how your breast implant is inserted and positioned. The implant is placed in a pocket either:
- Underneath the pectoral muscle, which is located between the breast tissue and chest wall.
- Underneath the breast tissue and on top of the pectoral muscle.
Breast implants are placed either above or below the pectoral muscle.
Placement of the implant underneath the pectoral muscle may interfere less with mammograms and breast-feeding. They are usually more natural looking if placed under the muscle. Your plastic surgeon will discuss this with you.
Placement of the implant underneath the pectoral muscle may interfere less with mammograms and breast-feeding. They are usually more natural looking if placed under the muscle. Your plastic surgeon will discuss this with you.
What are my options?
There have never been more choices for breast augmentation. The following options are available, depending on your medical history, body shape and aesthetic goals.
Saline-filled breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. They may be prefilled at a predetermined size or filled at the time of surgery to allow for minor modifications in implant size.
Silicone-filled breast implants are filled with soft, elastic gel and are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, firmness and cohesiveness. All silicone breast implants are pre-filled and may require a longer incision for implant placement. We have been using silicone gel Implants in Canada since 2000.
Autologous fat transfer removes fat through liposuction from an area of your body in which there are abundant fat cells, such as your thighs, abdomen and hips. After a process of preparation and refinement, the fat cells are injected into your breast. This will not give the same upper pole fullness as an implant and the changes are more subtle.
Your plastic surgeon might combine any of these breast augmentation options with a breast lift if there is any sagging or drooping of your breasts.
There have never been more choices for breast augmentation. The following options are available, depending on your medical history, body shape and aesthetic goals.
Saline-filled breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. They may be prefilled at a predetermined size or filled at the time of surgery to allow for minor modifications in implant size.
Silicone-filled breast implants are filled with soft, elastic gel and are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, firmness and cohesiveness. All silicone breast implants are pre-filled and may require a longer incision for implant placement. We have been using silicone gel Implants in Canada since 2000.
Autologous fat transfer removes fat through liposuction from an area of your body in which there are abundant fat cells, such as your thighs, abdomen and hips. After a process of preparation and refinement, the fat cells are injected into your breast. This will not give the same upper pole fullness as an implant and the changes are more subtle.
Your plastic surgeon might combine any of these breast augmentation options with a breast lift if there is any sagging or drooping of your breasts.
What are my options?
There have never been more choices for breast augmentation. The following options are available, depending on your medical history, body shape and aesthetic goals.
Saline-filled breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. They may be prefilled at a predetermined size or filled at the time of surgery to allow for minor modifications in implant size.
Silicone-filled breast implants are filled with soft, elastic gel and are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, firmness and cohesiveness. All silicone breast implants are pre-filled and may require a longer incision for implant placement. We have been using silicone gel Implants in Canada since 2000.
Autologous fat transfer removes fat through liposuction from an area of your body in which there are abundant fat cells, such as your thighs, abdomen and hips. After a process of preparation and refinement, the fat cells are injected into your breast. This will not give the same upper pole fullness as an implant and the changes are more subtle.
Your plastic surgeon might combine any of these breast augmentation options with a breast lift if there is any sagging or drooping of your breasts.
There have never been more choices for breast augmentation. The following options are available, depending on your medical history, body shape and aesthetic goals.
Saline-filled breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. They may be prefilled at a predetermined size or filled at the time of surgery to allow for minor modifications in implant size.
Silicone-filled breast implants are filled with soft, elastic gel and are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, firmness and cohesiveness. All silicone breast implants are pre-filled and may require a longer incision for implant placement. We have been using silicone gel Implants in Canada since 2000.
Autologous fat transfer removes fat through liposuction from an area of your body in which there are abundant fat cells, such as your thighs, abdomen and hips. After a process of preparation and refinement, the fat cells are injected into your breast. This will not give the same upper pole fullness as an implant and the changes are more subtle.
Your plastic surgeon might combine any of these breast augmentation options with a breast lift if there is any sagging or drooping of your breasts.
Your anatomy and health profile as well as your personal preferences will help you and your surgeon determine:
- The best type of surgery for you
- Your optimal breast size
- The type of implant and incision location that will best fill your needs.
Factors that influence the size and type of breast augmentation recommended for you include:
- Your medical history
- Your goals for breast enhancement
- Your existing body frame and mass
- Your existing breast tissue
- Your preferences related to size and incision placement.
What will my breast augmentation incisions and scars be like?
An incision can be made in one of two places:
An incision can be made in one of two places:
- Inframammary: Underneath the breast, just above the crease
- Periareolar: Around the lower edge of the areola (the dark area surrounding the nipple)
Is breast augmentation safe?
It is important for women with breast implants to keep in mind that while breast implants are intended to last your lifetime, replacement may become necessary. After breast implant surgery, you should have periodic examination by a board-certified plastic surgeon to monitor your implants.
Silicone gel-filled breast implants have been under scrutiny for years, but after gathering detailed and meticulous research and data, the FDA has approved them for use in cosmetic breast enhancement surgery, finding no link between silicone gel breast implants and connective tissue disease, breast cancer or reproductive problems. Canada and Europe have use silicone gel implants for many more years.
Surgical techniques for breast augmentation and all breast implants are continually being refined, increasing the safety and reliability of the procedure. Ask your plastic surgeon to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.
It is important for women with breast implants to keep in mind that while breast implants are intended to last your lifetime, replacement may become necessary. After breast implant surgery, you should have periodic examination by a board-certified plastic surgeon to monitor your implants.
Silicone gel-filled breast implants have been under scrutiny for years, but after gathering detailed and meticulous research and data, the FDA has approved them for use in cosmetic breast enhancement surgery, finding no link between silicone gel breast implants and connective tissue disease, breast cancer or reproductive problems. Canada and Europe have use silicone gel implants for many more years.
Surgical techniques for breast augmentation and all breast implants are continually being refined, increasing the safety and reliability of the procedure. Ask your plastic surgeon to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.
Limitations and Risks
Fortunately, significant complications from breast augmentation are infrequent. Your specific risks for breast augmentation will be discussed during your consultation.
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Some of the potential complications of all surgeries are:
Fortunately, significant complications from breast augmentation are infrequent. Your specific risks for breast augmentation will be discussed during your consultation.
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Some of the potential complications of all surgeries are:
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Hematoma or seroma (an accumulation of blood or fluid under the skin that may require removal)
- Infection and bleeding
- Changes in sensation and numbness or hypersensitivity
- Scarring
- Allergic reactions
- Damage to underlying structures
- Unsatisfactory results that may necessitate additional procedures
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. With breast augmentation, minor complications occur occasionally, but do not affect the outcome. Major breast augmentation complications are very unusual.
Other risks specific to breast augmentation are outlined below:
Other risks specific to breast augmentation are outlined below:
- Infection
- Capsular contracture
- Implant rupture
- Mammography shadows affecting breast cancer detection.
Breast Cancer Detection
If you are of an age in which you get regular mammographic examinations, it will be important for you to select a radiology technician who is experienced in taking x-rays of augmented breasts. Additional views of your breasts are often required.
Your aesthetic plastic surgeon, in some instances, may recommend other types of examinations, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is possible that the presence of breast implants could delay or hinder the early detection of breast cancer.
You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after your breast augmentation surgery.
If you are of an age in which you get regular mammographic examinations, it will be important for you to select a radiology technician who is experienced in taking x-rays of augmented breasts. Additional views of your breasts are often required.
Your aesthetic plastic surgeon, in some instances, may recommend other types of examinations, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is possible that the presence of breast implants could delay or hinder the early detection of breast cancer.
You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after your breast augmentation surgery.
