Breast implant surgery

Once the patient has decided on the breast implant surgery they would like to have, they will then need to choose the size and shape. The patient will need to decided what kind and texture, whether textured or smooth.  When deciding to have breast implant surgery you need to consider the placement of the implants.   There are three places in which the implant can be placed Sub glandular, sub pectoral or sub muscular. The placement varies the best location of the implant will be decided on fundamental factors such as the size of the implant and the patient’s anatomy.

Sub glandular- during breast implant surgery the implant is placed behind the mammary gland at the front of the muscle

Sub pectoral- this type of breast implant surgery is placed further away, it is placed just below the pectoralis major muscle. The implant is only partially sub muscular due to the nature of the pectoral muscle. The lower part of the implant is not covered it sometimes may be referred to as retropectorial.
Sub muscular- the implant is placed firmly behind the chest wall

Proceedure for breast implant surgery

How should I prepare for breast augmentation

It may be recommended by the surgeon to carry out a mammogram before having breast implant surgery. They will then be able monitor and review if there are any changes of the breast tissue in the future. Smokers will be asked to stop smoking for a few months before having a breast enlargement. Medications such as Aspirin and anti-inflammatory should not be taken before breast implant surgery, they thin your blood and pose a risk of increased bleeding. An incision will be made for the  implant, from the incision a path will be made to where the implant needs to go. Some times during the breast implant surgery a surgeon may use a sizer, this is a temporary implant attached to a tube. They will use it just to see what the implant will look like and evaluate the placement. Once the surgeon is satisfied he will permanently place the implant. When inflatable implants are being used they will be rolled up in a cigar shape and pushed through the incision. When the implant is in the correct position the incision is closed and using a syringe, the implant is then filled with saline. If pre-filled implants have been opted for, the incision made will have to be bigger than with the inflatable implants.

Incision Options for Breast Implant Surgery

When deciding to have breast implant surgery you will be presented with  four main options of where the incision will be made:

Armpit Transax

Where the natural folds of skin are in the armpit is where the incision will be made, the great advantage of having the opening done here is there will be no scarring on the breast. It is essential the patient fully researches and chooses a skilled qualified experienced surgeon, this method means the surgeon will farther away from the breast where the implant needs to be inserted, therefore it may be more difficult to place the implants. There are cons to this sort of incision, if there are any complications surgery will need to be done again. There is every chance that “in this event” an incision will need to be made somewhere else. Some surgeons think this is to risky and difficult to perform and will advise you to have the incision somewhere else.

This method of incision is the most commonly used by surgeons for breast enlargement, allowing a surgeon to work closely to the breast. There is a massive benefit to working closer to the breast which allows more control over the placement of the implant. The incision will be made in the crease of the breast, if this is properly done the scar should not be visible. This is where the cosmetic surgeons skills need to come in to play, the surgeon will have to determine where the new crease in the breast will be. There is a downside to this incision if it is later decided to increase or decrease the size of your breast the crease of your breast will move.

Areola Incision

This type of incision is a popular choice, the surgeon is working extremely close to the breast, once again meaning they have better control of the implant. This is also a popular practice with people who have their implants removed. The incision is made just beyond the areola this is the darker skin surrounding the nipple. The surgeon makes the incision where the dark skin meets the pale skin of the breast tissue. This means scarring should be very minimal if done correctly.

TUBA Incision/Belly Button

This method was first done in the early nighties by a Dr. Gerald W Johnson. The incision is made at around the rim of the belly button, a tunnel then needs to be made in the fat just beneath the skin up to the loose tissue in the breast. The surgeon will use a device called an endoscope, this is a lighted camera. The surgeon will use an expander to create the pocket, the implant is then rolled up in a cigar shape, put through the incision and put in to place. This will then be filled with saline. The advantage of this type of incision the scar should be extremely small and not as detectable as other forms of opening, the skin has much more elasticity around the area. The disadvantage of the surgeon working far away from the breast means he needs to be competent with experience to make ensure the implant is in the right place.

Recovery after having  Breast Implant Surgery

The recovery time after a breast augmentation will vary depending on several factors, for example what kind of incision you have had, and type of implant. A surgical covering is used and the patient will be required to wear a support bra.  The patient may be advised after breast implant surgery to invest in a good sports bra, this will help support your new assests.

Before the patient is discharged they will be expected to have a responsible adult who will accompany the patient home and stay with them for the next twenty-four hours afterwards. The patient may decided to stay at a licensed specialized recovery facility. At the facility they will have specialized nurses, they will be able to monitor the patient’s health. Once the patient feels ready to look after themselves they can go home. Sometimes the cosmetic surgeon may advise you stay overnight at the hospital. Some places do over the option of staying at a spa where there are health professionals who can monitor and look after the patient.

Possible Risks and Complications of having Breast Implant Surgery

Any woman considering cosmetic surgery needs to understand fully all the risks as well as the benefits. The cosmetic surgeon should discuss all this through with his patient so they can make an informed decision on whether they would like to go ahead with breast implant surgery.

Some of the possible complications of having breast implant surgery are listed below:

Reaction if having anesthetic during the breast implant surgery

Blood accumulation- would need to be drained surgically

Infection- with all surgical procedures there is a risk of infection

loss of sensation in the breast-implant

Scarring

How long do breast implants last Implants do not last forever, they will eventually need to be replaced. The lifespan depends on certain factors, but they can last anywhere from ten to twenty five years.

Silicone implants are more likely to last longer than the saline implants, the saline implants are however easier to replace than the silicone ones. Factors for the life span of an implant may include:

Capsular contracture this is when tissue grows around the implant

Infection during and after breast implant surgery

Wear and tear can cause the outer shell to develop leaks

Over or under filling can cause structural issues

Wrinkling or rippling of the shell can weaken the prosthesis along the fold. This can be caused by the implant filling technique or improper sizing.

If breast implant  surgery is not for you there are fantastic alternatives, gel bras are good for giving an instant boost

The cosmetic surgeon should explain to the patient on how long their implants will last after the breast implant surgery, although this is dependant on factors such as lifestyle.