Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is the procedure performed in order to increase breast size. It began to apply in the decade of 1960, became extremely popular in the 1980 and nowadays is one of the most widespread plastic surgeries. In Greece there are 10,000 interventions per year, while in the Americas 350,000 and internationally have been carried out a total of 10 million.

Breast augmentation and Psychology

A symmetrical and erect chest is considered an important part of the female appearance. Women who have their breasts not the desired shape or size feel disadvantaged and are possessed by negative thoughts, with what it entails in their personal and social lives. Breast augmentation acts beneficially in their psychology and stimulates their confidence.

Which women is breast augmentation aimed at?

Breast augmentation is aimed at all women who have reached the eighteenth year of age and are uncomfortable with the image that presents their breasts. Their breasts may not have developed enough during puberty and seem disproportionate in relation to the rest of the body (hypoplasia) or there is an apparent difference between the breasts (dysplasia). It may have preceded a tumor resection or changed its shape due to breastfeeding or may very simply for its own reasons desire a larger breast to stimulate its self-esteem.

Breast augmentation: Anatomy of the area

The female breast consists of the nipple, from the lobes where the milk is produced, the dairy resources, the nipple where the dairy resources end up, the Corona alω, the mammary gland, the perimammary fat, the blood vessels, the breast skin and the Ypomastio aspect. The chest is adjacent to the pectoral muscles, the major thoracic which is the largest chest muscle and the minor that is the smallest.

What techniques are used in breast augmentation:

The technique chosen depends on the peculiarities that the body of each woman displays. There are various techniques such as dual plane, subglandular, subfacial, no touch, etc., which simply differs from the way the module is positioned. Great importance also is the type of the insert whether it will be round or tear-shaped as well as the size desired by the complainant.

Breast augmentation: Main techniques

• Placement of the part of the implant under the major pectoral muscle and the remainder under the gland. (It gives a natural result, it is one of the newest techniques used. Dual plane)
• Placement of the implant under the gland. (If this technique is preferred, there is a chance that the result is not so natural because it will strongly distinguish the upper end of the implant. Subglandular)
• Placement of the implant under the thin hymen covering the major pectoral muscle. (It is the technique preferred mainly because the result is naturally both at the touch and visually. Subfacial)
• No implant, no fat transplant.

Breast augmentation with fat transplantation

This is a new technique, which applies if the candidate is not too weak or underweight. The fat comes from the complainant itself and implies that liposuction should be preceded in problematic areas such as the abdomen or buttocks and then the fat to be transplanted into the breast area. Due to the fact that approximately 50% of fat will be absorbed three months after application, first the quantity to be transplanted is large enough and secondly the change that the complainant wishes to be small-scale.

This technique is not suitable for impressive changes in breast size but has the advantage of not using implants.

Breast augmentation: Select implant

Very important role in breast augmentation is played by the choice of implant. Especially after the case of the industrial gross silicone implants The choice of a qualified doctor, worthy of confidence is more imperative than ever. The controls are now intensified, are much stricter and the issues used are certified by both the FDA of America and the EU and FDA. The topics are of two kinds:

• Round
• Anatomic (Dakryoschima)

The ones that are preferred are anatomical because they impart naturalness to the breasts.

Breast augmentation: Before, during and after surgery

Before breast augmentation, a preoperative test is performed that includes blood tests, X-rays and electrocardiogram. If the complainant is over 35 years old, she needs a mammogram.

The procedure is always performed under general anesthesia and its duration is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The incision is almost always made in the ypomastio aspect mainly because it heals quickly and is not visible after the operation since it is covered by the chest. The incision can be made in the armpit aspect, but is not often chosen firstly because the plastic surgeon does not have good visibility and must be used endoscope and secondly because the scar becomes easily visible. With these new methods the mammary gland is not injured and the ability to breastfeed is not affected at all. Unlike the technique where the incision was made in Corona alω and significantly influenced both the sensation of the nipple and the ability to breastfeed.

The patient exits the clinic after a few hours or the next day. After a few days she is able to perform all her daily activities with the required attention. Vigorous exercise is good to avoid at least a month.

Frequently asked questions about breast augmentation

Breast augmentation: What side effects can there be?

Side effects are extremely rare. However, there are postoperative phenomena which cause discomfort such as pain and swelling. At 1% the occurrence of hematomas or inflammation has been reported and 5% of the creation of a capsule.

Why is the capsule created?

The capsule arises as a reaction of the organism, which understands the implant as a foreign body. A tissue is formed around the implant that tightens it and can cause the case from mild pain to deformation and stiffness. In this extreme case, it may be necessary to remove and replace it.

Is breast augmentation related to breast cancer?

That is not the issue. No study has ever supported such a thing. It’s a malicious rumor about breast augmentation.

Do I need to repeat breast augmentation?

The operation can be repeated for reasons such as resizing, changing the type of implant or due to the formation of a capsule.