|
Breast augmentation surgery or enlargement is the second most commonly performed cosmetic procedure in the United States. What many people remember is the controversy and litigation surrounding the silicone breast implants of the 80's and 90's. What people should know is that today there are a number of safe options for breast enlargement surgery.
The goal of augmentation surgery is to provide natural and proportional enlargement of the breasts. This can be achieved through several methods. The important considerations are: 1)Incision location, 2)Implant choice and location, 3) Pre-operative asymmetries, and 4) Size. There is no one "perfect" manner to achieve these goals. Surgeon's and patient's preference play an important part in the decision-making. Additionally, anatomic considerations or previous breast surgery may limit what choices are available.
Breast tissue is composed of skin, fat, and glandular tissue. The breast is located on top of the pectoralis muscle of the chest. Women's breasts differ in character and shape depending of factors such as age, previous pregnancies, genetics, and skin elasticity. Most women have some degree of asymmetry between one breast and another; in some, this difference can be quite significant.
Breast augmentation is usually performed through three main incisions: under the breast fold (inframammary), around the areola (peri-areloar), or through the armpit (trans-axillary). Each type of incision heals well and is usually inconspicuous. The approach varies with surgeon's preference while tailoring to the patient's desires. If additional work is required to improve breast asymmetries (such as a breast lift), it is easier to do this through the incisions around the areola or under the breast fold.
For primary breast augmentation, only saline implants are permitted. These are essentially balloons inflated with saline (salt water); the outer shell is composed of a thin wall of solid silicone. In contrast, "silicone" implants are composed of silicone material throughout; the central filler is a silicone gel. A consultation with Dr. Ha will help determine what implant is appropriate for a particular patient's anatomy and proportions.
Asymmetries are a fact of life. No two breasts are exactly alike. Augmentation surgery allows the opportunity to improve any existing asymmetries by differential enlargement and/or surgical lifting or removal of excess skin and fat. For the most part, however, if an asymmetry exists, it will still persist after surgery (though to a lesser degree).
The decision for size of implantation/augmentation is a very personal one. This decision is largely affected by cultural factors, body frame and proportions, anatomic limitations (i.e. breast skin that is too tight), occupation, and of course, personal preference. |
