Breast Augmentation: The Important Facts

There is not a shortage of reasons why a woman might choose to have breast augmentation surgery. For some women, the job they work, whether it is modeling or acting or another industry that relies heavily on appearance, might require it or it could be a way to get ahead. For others, the procedure might be a way to regain their appearance and self esteem following a heartbreaking mastectomy. For most women, though, it is simply a matter of seeing something they do not like about their bodies and wanting to change it. If you’re thinking of getting the operation done, here are the facts you should know.

In the medical world, breast augmentation is called mammoplasty. To perform the surgery, the doctor will place implants which will supplement and enlarge the size of the woman’s chest. These implants may vary as far as what material is used to create them, but the end effect is the same. The chest is fuller and typically rounder, being somewhat less susceptible to the forces of gravity (many women with implants can get away with not wearing a bra). The procedure takes place in an outpatient fashion and the woman can usually return to her normal routine after a few days, being able to resume exercise and other forms of vigorous activity within a couple of weeks.

When it comes to FDA approved materials for breast augmentation, women have two primary choices: silicone or saline. For many years, silicone implants were banned in the United States due to reports of the implants leaking or bursting and causing a variety of health problems. Those days are over, however, and most doctors say that there is little difference between the materials when it comes to safety. Silicone implants are much more popular these days, as many women feel they provide a more natural looking enhancement. Still, some women prefer saline for its perceived safety and because the implants are typically less expensive.

As with any form of surgery, breast augmentation is not without its risks. Any woman thinking about having the procedure done should weigh those risks carefully against the benefits. Some of the risks include the possible danger of a mammogram being ineffective on a woman who has implants placed over the chest muscle. There is also the risk of rupture, though the chances of that happening are relatively small. Finding a good plastic surgeon to perform the operation and carefully following his instructions will cut down drastically on the risks involved with the surgery.