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Procedures - Breast Augmentation / Enlargement (Augmentation Mammaplasty)
Breast enlargement is one of the most common procedures we perform. It is done using a general anaesthetic at one of the fully accredited surgical centers, and takes about an hour. Recovery time depends on patients' normal daily activities, but a lot of women return to work within a week, and can resume full physical activities within 2-3 weeks.
This procedure uses either saline or silicone implants. There are, however, several potential disadvantages to all implants. These include: a finite implant lifetime (averaging around 15 years); that they do interfere a little with mammograms; and the risk of capsule contracture, or the thickening / hardening of the breast around the implant. The risk of capsule contracture is around 8%, or one in twelve. Incisions can be made through the axilla, at the edge of the areola, and under the breast. Implants are placed either under or over the pectoral muscle, depending on body type and size of implant chosen. In general, a thinner patient, a patient with very small breasts, or a patient choosing a larger implant, should have her implants under the muscle and consider the use of silicone implants. Implant size is figured by the number of cubic centimeters (cc) of saline in the implant. Several different sizes are available, ranging from 90cc (very small) to 700cc (very large). Most implants chosen are somewhere between 300cc and 400cc. The right size for you depends on your desires and your body chest size, which is measured at the time of your consultation. Breast sagging, or ptosis, cannot always be improved with implants. If the ptosis is not too advanced, often an implant alone will suffice. More advanced ptosis must be repaired with a breast lift, or mastopexy in order not to have the breast simply hang off of the implant; this problem does not look good. Please see our mastopexy section for more information. Breast Augmentation Links: BreastImplantSafety.org Breast Implants 411 ALLERGAN Mentor Corporation U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Breast Implant Info American Society of Plastic Surgeons - Augmentation LookingYourBest.com Breast Surgery Procedures: Breast Augmentation / Enlargement Mastopexy / Breastlift Breast Reduction Breast Reconstruction |
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