Breast Augmentation – A Great Way to Look and Feel Younger

As women age, there are a variety of factors that can affect the shape and firmness of their breasts. Gravity, loss of skin elasticity, weight loss, pregnancy and breast-feeding can all cause sagging and disfigurement. Breast augmentation is cosmetic surgery designed to raise and reshape breasts while increasing cup size with saline or silicone implants. Often referred to as enlargement, mammoplasty, or implant, this type of surgery is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the USA.

Good candidates for this type of surgery are healthy women that are satisfied with their overall appearance, but would like to increase the size and shape of their breasts. Small breasts, those that lack substance or shape, and nipples or areolas that point down may be good candidates for this type of cosmetic procedure.

Initial consultation with a qualified surgeon will involve discussions of your expectations and wishes. It is important that you find a surgeon with whom you are comfortable sharing your concerns and who will be realistic about the achievements of this type of surgery. He or she will take measurements and photographs of your breasts and evaluate size, shape, skin quality, as well as nipple and areola placement. Your doctor will also need to know your complete medical history including allergies and medications.

Variations in breast augmentation surgery involve different incisions, implant materials, and pocket placement. Incisions may be below the breast in the inframammary fold, along the areolar border, or in the armpit. Occasionally, if a patient is combining this type of procedure with abdominoplasty, the surgeon may elect to tunnel toward the chest cavity from the abdomen.

Depending on the advice of your surgeon, it may be possible to return to work within a week after surgery. Severe pain should be reported immediately, but mild, periodic discomfort is common. Sexual activity should be avoided for at least one to two weeks and sometimes longer. Incisions will fade and heal over time, but will always remain permanently visible. Some patients end up with only faint lines, while others have scars that are easily visible. Fortunately, the incisions are placed along natural curve lines that are easy to hide.

While risks and side effects are very rare, some complications can include bleeding, infection, reaction to anesthesia, asymmetry, permanent loss of sensation, or poor incision healing. Ensure the doctor you choose is board-certified and willing to listen to your expectations and concerns.