Breast Augmentation When people criticize plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery as being fluffy, they are generally talking about popular treatments such as breast augmentation. However, these critics have little understanding that this treatment can mean much more than just physical changes. As the most popular cosmetic surgical treatment requested by women, breast augmentation has done many great things in boosting female self-confidence. Although that sounds unfair, it’s the reality. A controversial plastic surgery treatment during its inception, breast augmentation has become one of the most accepted cosmetic surgery procedures. Statistics show that the treatment has increased by 476% since 1992. Known by its technical name of augmentation mammoplasty, breast augmentation is a treatment that will enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breast. While it is often called breast enlargement, breast augmentation’s typical goal is to create better symmetry in female breasts. In most cases, women decide to have breast augmentation surgery to enhance their body’s contour, balance a difference in breast size, regain breast size following pregnancy, or simply to increase the size of their breasts. In some cases, breast augmentation is used as a reconstructive surgery technique, particularly when patients are looking to replace a breast that has been damaged by illness or accidents. Although most patients typically turn to breast augmentation to enhance their appearance and self-confidence, doctors will tell you that you can’t expect breast augmentation to magically change your life and the way that others treat you.

 

Surgery Although the number of women undergoing breast augmentation surgery has been increasing, it is important to note that the procedure may not be right for you. Let’s face it, changing the way that your body looks can be a drastic step and one that you shouldn’t consider lightly. The last thing that qualified plastic surgeons want is to perform breast augmentation surgery on patients that have impulsively decided on the treatment. Not only does it increase the patient’s chances of being unhappy with the result, a plastic surgeon is obliged by their profession to ensure that patients fully understand what they are getting into. Before you decide to have breast augmentation surgery, it is recommended that you discuss the treatment with several plastic surgeons. These talks should be thorough and a plastic surgeon should objectively discuss your expectations with you. If you find that your plastic surgeon is promising the sun and moon with their breast augmentation treatment, you have every right to feel suspicious. Rather, a plastic surgeon’s responsibility is to thoroughly describe the process of breast augmentation surgery. Within this meeting, you should discuss with your plastic surgeon the types of anesthesia that will be used in the treatment, where the surgery will be performed, and what the costs are. If you have decided to get breast augmentation surgery, it is recommended that you follow these steps to properly prepare for treatment. Your plastic surgeon will provide you with a set of guidelines regarding eating and drinking. Typically, breast augmentation surgery is safe, but you are obligated to sign consent forms as a patient that confirm that your plastic surgeon has thoroughly gone through the risks and potential complications of the treatment. Generally, a patient will have to undergo a waiting period that can last for a few weeks for their surgery. During this time, the patient should make sure that they make the proper plans for care following the treatment. It is highly recommended that the patient has somebody that can drive them home following the surgery and also assist them in the days following the treatment. Typically, breast augmentation surgery will last from one to two hours. In the treatment, your plastic surgeon will make an incision in your body. In most cases, plastic surgeons use endoscopic surgery which allows them to move the tube of an endoscope through the surgical area. The advantage of endoscopic breast augmentation surgery is that it reduces the size of scarring and allows the plastic surgeon to watch the treatment from a video monitor. Once the incision has been made, the cosmetic surgeon will insert an implant. Although you will feel the effects of the treatment for a couple of days, your breasts will feel fine typically three to four weeks following surgery.

 

Breast Implants When people think of breast augmentation surgery – they think that it is a sign of modern times. However, implants have been used since 1895 and are an effective way of reshaping your body. In breast augmentation surgery, the plastic surgeon will make a single incision in or near the breast. From there, they have the option of either inserting the implant between the breast and the chest muscle or behind the chest muscle. In most cases, breast implants that are placed below the chest muscle will allow a clearer reading. Additionally, breast implants that are placed between the breast and chest muscle are more susceptible to complications. This is because the breast implant could potentially interfere with breast tissue that is present near the skin. In some instances, it is possible to insert a breast implant through an incision made in a belly button. During breast augmentation surgery, the plastic surgeon has to insert the breast implant completely deflated. Once it is in its proper place, the plastic surgeon is then able to inflate the breast implant to the agreed upon proportion. When it comes to choosing the right breast implant for you, you have a couple of options. Typically, breast implants are made from a silicone shell that has either a smooth or textured service. The breast implant is then filled with either saline or silicone gel. Saline filled implants are generally safer, as saline is essentially salt water. In the event of a break in the breast implant, the saline solution would be safely absorbed into your body. However, many patients prefer silicone filled implants due to their more natural feel. Since silicone filled implants utilize gel, the FDA has only approved a moderately cohesive silicone gel material.

 

Risks Although breast augmentation surgery is considered to be one of the safest treatments in plastic surgery, it is important for a patient to be aware of the potential risks. While the vast majority of patients do not experience these complications, you should discuss potential problems with your doctor before deciding whether or not breast augmentation is right for you. Some of potential complications of breast augmentation surgery is an adverse reaction to the anesthesia, asymmetry bleeding, drooping of the breast, implant leak infection, skin irregularities, and capsular contracture (the hardening of scar tissue around the breast implant). While breast augmentation surgery does have risks, generally the chance of a complication occurring is low. However, it is important to note that there are some circumstances where it is highly recommended for patients to not have breast augmentation surgery. Additionally, it is important for the patient to understand the obligations that come with breast augmentation. Patients who are planning on having a child after getting breast augmentation should understand that the changes in their body that results from pregnancy will drastically alter the results of breast augmentation. Additionally, breast augmentation treatment sadly does not produce changes that last a lifetime. A patient has to accept that they may have to undergo future surgery for their breast implants.

 

Conclusion Although there are many potential complications that come with breast augmentation surgery, there are also a lot of benefits. The way that we look has a deep impact on the way that we act and feel about ourselves. While many people will say that undergoing breast augmentation surgery is a superficial thing to do, it can produce a number of benefits in a person’s life. After all, if you feel good, you’ll emit an infectious energy that is irresistible. Of course, it is important to understand that obtaining breast augmentation isn’t going to magically solve all of your problems. By taking the proper amount of time to think about your decision and with proper consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon, you may find that breast augmentation may or may not be the right treatment for you!