Breast implants for breast augmentation surgery come in many different ways and one of the most common questions among patients is whether you should get a round implant or an anatomical teardrop implant. Aside from shape then you’ll have to find an answer to many more questions such as:

• What size? From 80cc to over 800cc.
• Which surface? Textured vs smooth surface implants.
• Which filling material? Saline vs cohesive silicone gel vs highly cohesive silicone gel (gummy bear) vs structured saline implants.
• Which incision? Transaxillary, periareolar, inframammary or transumbilical?
• Which profile? Low, moderate, high or extra high?
• Which placement? Under the muscle vs over the muscle vs dual plane.
• What surgeon? This will be your most critical decision as it will both influence the answer to the above questions and the results of the procedure.

Don’t worry, your chosen surgeon will help you to go through the many different options and make an informed decision, but it is always best to be prepared to better understand your surgeon’s recommendation.

How to choose breast implant shape? Teardrop vs Round

When it comes to shape, the decision is between two options: teardrop vs round.

Implant shape will depend on many factors:

• Your unique expectations and aesthetic goal
• Your preferred incision site
• The implant placement
• Your own individual anatomy, which includes your body type, sternum width, chest-wall contour, existing breast tissue, nipple position, degree of ptosis (sagging), and other anatomic measurements that will be taken during your consultation.
• Your surgeon’s experience

Teardrop Implants

Teardrop breast implants are also known as anatomical or shaped implants. Like a teardrop, anatomical implants are smaller at the top and larger at the bottom, mimicking the slope and silhouette of a natural breast. Their maximum projection point, the point further away from your chest, is off-center below the nipple. They are often chosen to provide not only a breast augmentation, but also correction of a mild ptosis (sagging of the breast) thanks to their shape. They will not be able to address higher degrees of ptosis or be a substitute of mastopexy surgery (breast lift) if that is needed. They are also chosen by those who feel that round implants tend to look artificial and look for an alternative more natural look.

Teardrop implants are filled with silicone gel or with highly cohesive silicone gel (gummy bear implants) for the most natural feel to the touch; they are not filled with saline. They have a textured surface to prevent them from rotating within the chest as that would compromise the aesthetic result.

The downside of having a teardrop shape and being able to maintain it is that when lying down their volume will not spread out evenly as natural breast or round implants would. If placed and sized properly though, most plastic surgeons agree that even when lying on your back such as at the beach they won’t look more fake than round ones.

Anatomical implants focus more on shape than size, so for people looking for a dramatic increase in size round implant may be better.

Round Implants

Round implants were the first type of implant introduced in the market and are the most commonly used breast implant for cosmetic breast augmentation surgery. As the name suggests, they are round and symmetric in shape: for this reason, they give more fullness to the upper pole, the upper region of the breast, when compared to teardrop implants as well as they provide more cleavage. The fluid within the implant flows freely, following the movements and position of the body such as when lying on your back or when running; this also means that while standing the fluid inside the implant will tend to settle in the lower portion of the implant providing, to some extent, the teardrop effect like the anatomical ones.

The downside of having a round implant is that if you’re petite and/or with little natural breast tissue the round implants will tend to look more unnatural than the teardrop ones.

Teardrop vs Round Implant for Cosmetic Breast Augmentation

• Teardrop implants have an overall more natural look and feel. Keep in mind though, that natural look and feel depends also greatly on other variables such as size, filling material, placement and patient’s anatomy. You may be able to achieve a natural look also with a round implant.
• Teardrop implants are more customizable to your unique anatomical features than round implants. Teardrop implants don’t just have different volumes and profiles like round ones, but also different width, height and prominence of the slope as well as different customizable volumes in the upper and lower part of the implant.
• Price. Anatomical teardrop implants are generally more pricey than round ones.
• Size and Volume. Round implants are best for those who want to substantially increase the size of their breast.
• Teardrop implants fill the lower part of the breast more, while round implants tend to provide more upper pole fullness, lift and cleavage.
• Teardrop implants carry the risk of rotation, while the rotation of a round implant would not compromise the aesthetic result. The textured surface and proper placement by the surgeon are able to prevent this. Nevertheless, this is a possible complication requiring corrective surgery.
• Teardrop implants have a shaped shell, so it usually requires a larger incision for placement when compared to a similarly sized round implant.
• Capsular contracture. From studies, the risk of capsular contracture is lower with textured implants, so choosing a smooth round implant may carry a higher risk of this complication.
• Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). BIA-ALCL is a rare and highly treatable type of lymphoma that can develop around breast implants and it occurs in patients who have breast implants with textured surfaces, with currently no reported cases in women who have smooth surface implants. Current lifetime risk of developing BIA-ALCL is estimated to be between 1 in 2,207 patients and 1 in 86,029 patients. When caught early it is usually curable.

Best natural looking breast implant: round vs teardrop

If you’re looking for a natural looking result following cosmetic breast augmentation surgery the best advice would not be to choose teardrop implants or round implants, but to choose the right surgeon. There are many factors to take into account when looking for a natural result and this can be achieved with both type of implants when choosing a skilled surgeon.

There have been studies were plastic surgeons, nurses or lay individuals were shown pictures of before and after breast augmentation. Not knowing whether round or teardrop implant were used, they were neither able to recognize the type of implant nor they were able to agree on the aesthetic superiority of one over the other.

Sources

• U.S. Food & Drug Administration
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
• Capsular Contracture after Breast Augmentation: An Update for Clinical Practice.
  H Headon, A Kasem, K Mokbel – Archives of Plastic Surgery, Sep 2015
• Intraoperative Comparison of Anatomical versus Round Implants in Breast Augmentation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
  DA Hidalgo, AL Weinstein – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mar 2017
• Round versus Anatomical Implants in Primary Cosmetic Breast Augmentation: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.
  F Cheng, Y Cen, C Liu – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mar 2019
• Essentials of Aesthetic Surgery.
  JE Janis – Thieme, 2018

Richard Troy

Medical Blogger committed to accuracy, I am passionate about delivering my readers critical insights into the medical field.
Former paramedic, instructor and medical school student.
You can read more about me in the dedicated section of the website.

www.medtravel.asia/about-richard-troy-medical-blogger/

The post Round vs Teardrop Implants for breast augmentation appeared first on MedTravel Asia.

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammaplasty or top surgery in the specific case of transgender women, is a plastic and reconstructive surgery procedure with the goal of creating a feminine and aesthetically accurate breast, harmonious with the patient’s body in order to make it congruent with their gender identity.

It is improper to call it a cosmetic surgery since its goal is different from that of a cosmetic procedure; it is by all means a surgical therapy for the treatment of gender dysphoria, which is the distress experienced by the patient who find theirself in a body and with a gender assigned at birth which is different from their gender identity.

The breast is one of the main external indicators for gender identification. For this reason, breast augmentation for MtF transgender patients represents a turning point in their transition, facilitating and improving their gender identification in social settings, improving gender dysphoria symptoms and helping the patient being at ease with their own body.

Criteria for breast feminization surgery

The criteria set for breast augmentation by the Standards of Care 7^th edition of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) are the following:

1. Persistent and well documented diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria by a mental health professional.
2. In full possession of one’s faculties. Able to make a fully informed decision and to give consent for treatment.
3. Age of majority in a given country.
4. The absence of absolute medical contraindications (medical conditions which would make it too risky to undergo surgery).

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not a criterion or prerequisite for this surgery. However, it is highly advisable undergoing breast augmentation only after having started feminizing HRT and after taking it for at least one continuous year. The reason for this is to maximize the natural and physiological breast tissue growth stimulated by the hormones to obtain a superior aesthetic result.

Pre-op procedures

The surgeon will collect the medical and family history (anamnesis), will perform a physical examination, check the vitals and will prescribe ECG, lab tests and medical imaging as deemed appropriate.

Based on the surgeon and on the clinic, the patient might have to stop hormone replacement therapy with estrogens due to the fact that it increases the risk of thromboembolic events during and after surgery. This stop will be decided by the surgeon and the anesthesiologist and can vary between 2-4 weeks before surgery and 2-4 weeks after surgery.

Smoking and nicotine are to be avoided 2-6 weeks before and after surgery; quitting smoking lowers substantially the risks of complications and speeds up recovery by improving tissue healing.

Blood thinning medications, such as aspirin, are to be avoided in the week prior to surgery.

In some cases, when patient’s skin is not elastic enough or if the volume of the chosen implant requires it, it might be necessary to undergo two procedures: during the first surgery two tissue expanders will be placed in position and in the following weeks they will be inflated increasing volume giving adequate time to skin and tissues to adapt. During the second surgery the expanders will be removed, and the surgeon will proceed with the breast augmentation.

Difference between male and female chest

Biological males and females have chests with different characteristics. These differences make breast augmentation on a cisgender woman not alike a breast augmentation on a transgender woman; hence, the surgeon will have to possess the knowledge and experience on this specific population in order to be able to obtain satisfactory results in the reconstruction and make the chest aesthetically similar with that of a biological female. For this reason, it is advised to choose a surgeon with experience performing surgeries on transgenders and not just a surgeon with experience in breast augmentation.

The main differences between male and female chest, for what concerns the features that influence the results of the mammaplasty, are the following:

• Female bodies have round curvy lines, males have sharp angled lines.
• Female bodies have a higher body fat percentage compared to males.
• The nipple and the areola are smaller in males
• Female nipples are located on the most projected point of the breast, at about the height of the midpoint of the humerus
• Male chest is larger compared to the female one which is also more cone shaped.
• Female breast extends from the second or third rib to the sixth or seventh rib.
• The pectoralis major muscle is more developed in men.
• The distance between the nipple and the inframammary line is smaller in women.
• Nipples are located more laterally in men.
• Transgender women don’t suffer from breast ptosis as much as biologic woman do.
• The intermammary cleft is larger in transwomen than in biologic women.
• Breast development due to feminizing hormone replacement therapy produces a wide array of results, depending on the individual characteristics of each patient. In general though, the breast that develops in a transgender woman is different from that of an adult cisgender one. It is actually more similar to that of an adolescent girl, cone shaped, pointy, with not much glandular tissue and usually low overall volume; only in rare cases it is possible to achieve complete development comparable to that of a post-puberty cisgender woman.

Types of breast implants and the different surgical approaches in breast augmentation

As one of the most performed reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries, during the years have been developed several different surgical techniques as well as diverse range of implants that lead to various aesthetic and functional results. It is recommended to talk with the surgeon about the choice of the surgical technique and type of implant, discussing advantages and disadvantages of the different options addressing in particular those linked to the specific anatomical characteristics of the patient. Here’s in what ways breast augmentation can vary:

Implant placement: subglandular, submuscular and dual-plane

Breast implants can be placed in a pocket created by the surgeon either under the glandular tissue of the breast (subglandular or “over the muscle”) or under the pectoralis major muscle (submuscular or “under the muscle”); a third option is the dual-plane technique where the upper part of the implant is under the muscle, while the lower part of the implant is in subglandular placement.

By Food and Drug Administration

Subglandular implant placement has the advantage of being a less invasive technique, with a faster post-op recovery, less risks and complications, less pain or discomfort post-op and allowing for implants of greater volume. The disadvantage of this technique is that if the glandular breast tissue is scarce in the patient, the edges of the implants might be visible, with an unnatural aesthetic result. The feeling to the touch will be the more unnatural the less glandular tissue is present in the patient.

By Food and Drug Administration

Submuscular implant placement tends to give a more natural result, without the risk of the implant edges being visible due to the scarcity of glandular tissue covering it. It also has a lower chance of a complication that might arise after breast augmentation and known as capsular contracture. However, in the case of patients who are physically active and doing exercise, there is the risk of migration of the implant due to the activity of the pectoralis major muscle as well as the risk of temporary deformity when the muscle is contracted; the post-op recovery is longer with risk of having a reduction in athletic performance, with possibly less strength in the exercises involving the pectoralis major muscle and in some cases pain or discomfort while performing some exercises.

Food and Drug Administration

Dual-plane implant placement as stated above means that the upper part of the implant is placed under the pectoralis major muscle, hence being covered by both the muscle and the glandular breast tissue; the lower part of the implant is left free instead and covered just by the mammary gland. This type of implant placement carries most of the advantages of the previous two techniques, minimizing their disadvantages. It is possible to vary the surgical technique by dissecting and detaching the muscle to a varying extent, to address different anatomical features of different patients and improving the aesthetic result, by providing for example more or less lift in case of breast ptosis.

The shorter or longer post-op recovery period will present again when there will be the need to replace the implant; it is advised to change the implant 10 years after surgery or sooner in case of complications or if signs of wear or deterioration of the implant appear.

When it is necessary to undergo a mammogram, dual-plane and submuscular placement are those that allow for an easier execution of the imaging exam when compared to subglandular placement.

Implant filler material: saline vs silicone

All the breast implants are made by a silicone outer shell. This is because silicone has shown over the years to be the most biocompatible, longer lasting and safest material.

The differences in material are only about the filling of this silicone shell: the most widely used options are saline solution (sterile saltwater) and cohesive silicone gel.

The advantages of breast implants filled with saline is that it is inserted while still empty and then filled when in the right place through a specially designed valve. This allows for a smaller incision which will lead to a less visible scar and allows for surgical approaches not feasible otherwise, such as the transumbilical approach. Another advantage of this type of implant is that in the rare event of implant rupture what will come out of it is just saline, harmless and resorbable by the surrounding tissues. Among the disadvantages of saline breast implant there are the unnatural consistency, which is similar to that of a water balloon, the risk of bacterial contamination due to the added step of filling the implant during surgery, the possibility of filling the implant with some air bubbles too which in rare cases can be felt by patients when they move, the possibility of feeling the valve or the creases that might form on the shell surface in case of loss of volume and lastly in the event of implant rupture it will empty out quickly due to the fluidity of the liquid it contains.

The advantages of breast implants filled with silicone is the natural consistency to the touch, soft but solid, similar to the breast glandular tissue of cisgender women. Being completely produced in a medical manufacture it doesn’t pose the added risk of microbial contamination or liquid spillage during the filling process. Among the disadvantages there are the need for a longer incision, hence more visible, the fact that silicone is not a resorbable biomaterial so in case of implant rupture it needs to be surgically removed; nowadays there is a low chance of rupture, due to outer shells engineered to last longer and be more resistant. Silicone used for filling the implants also is not the same used until the early ‘90s, but it is now a highly cohesive gel that due to its viscosity in case of implant rupture doesn’t spill out of it. Moreover, silicone is radiopaque, meaning it blocks x-rays making it harder to execute a mammogram; in place of a mammogram, an MRI can be performed.

In the past other materials were used and tested, such as hydrogel and trilucent oil (soybean oil) but they were abandoned due to their aesthetic, functional and safety characteristics not on par with the other materials still in use.

Breast implant shape: round or anatomical (round vs teardrop)

Breast implants can have different shapes, allowing the surgeon to provide very different results just based on the chosen implant’s shape.

Round breast implants were the first to be produced and utilized for breast augmentation surgery. They are symmetrical implants, with shape similar to a half sphere; its maximum projection point is located right at the center of the implant. Round implant rotation after placement, which is possible although not common, doesn’t cause any issue thanks to its symmetry. This type of implant increases the volume of the breast evenly to all the poles as opposed to the teardrop implant which fills more the lower poles. Round implants are chosen when there is no or minimal ptosis of the breast, when the nipple is located at the center of the breast and in general when the patient already has an ideal shaped breast. Moreover, this type of implant is less expensive.

Anatomical implants, also known as teardrop implants, were introduced in the market in more recent times and have immediately been a huge success, in part also due to the fact that they were the first to be filled with highly cohesive silicone gel, which guarantees a more natural feeling and overall result. The shape is that of a drop on a vertical surface; its maximum projection point is shifted to the lower part, making it not symmetrical. It is available in many different models with heights, widths, variable location of the maximum projection point, to give the surgeon the possibility to choose the best model based on the individual patient’s characteristics, such as their anatomy and physiological asymmetries. The teardrop implant is usually preferred when volume is needed in the lower poles and in the areolar region, or to correct ptosis of the breast (sagging), or when the breast is poorly developed, or when the breast lost volume due to breastfeeding or after weight loss, or in the case of tuberous breast or asymmetries between the breasts, or when the nipple points downward. The teardrop shape mimics the natural tendency of the breast to have the most volume at the level of the nipple and decreasing in volume going upwards or downwards. The anatomical implant shape provides a more natural result when the chest is vertical, but when the patient lies down it will retain the teardrop shape making it less natural looking than natural breast or round implants which redistribute their volume. Besides the higher costs of the implant itself, it could require longer surgery time and a more complex surgical technique, which contribute to an overall higher price of surgery.

The natural aesthetic result is not uniquely dependent on the implant shape, but on multiple factors. For this reason, it is improper to say that one shape provides a more natural result when compared to the other; the choice of the implant shape depends on the individual characteristics of the patient and on their expectation.

Smooth vs textured breast implants

Another difference among breast implants is about their outer shell which could be rough (textured) or smooth.

Smooth breast implants were the first to be introduced to the market and to be implanted in the ‘60s. The thickness of the shell is inferior when compared to textured implants, providing a more natural feeling to the touch and less rigidity to the implant. Smooth implants move more freely and follow the movements of the body since they don’t grip firmly to the surrounding tissues. However, if the pocket created by the surgeon is larger than the volume of the implant, the mobility becomes a disadvantage increasing the risk of implant migration during the healing process with suboptimal aesthetic result. Smooth breast implants are usually placed under the muscle, hence they need a more invasive surgical technique. The lower thickness of the outer shell allows for a smaller incision when compared to a textured implant placement.

Textured breast implants were introduced during the ‘80s. Their surface is rough, like sandpaper (but clearly not abrasive!). They were developed to prevent a complication known as capsular contracture following the theory that the growth of tissues in the microscopic spaces of the textured shell, would prevent the formation of collagen and other excess fibrous tissue around the implant. Textured implants have the advantage of sticking to the surrounding tissues, lowering the risks of implant migration, but at the same time their limited mobility gives them a less natural feeling. In the case of teardrop implant, the textured surface is required otherwise in case of rotation the aesthetic result would be unnatural. A patient with concave or convex chest has higher risk of implant migration; those with “pectus excavatum” or “pectus carinatum” are advised to choose a rough implant.  Textured implant shells are thicker: this gives them a less natural feel to the touch, but also gives them more resistance with a lower risk of rupture and overall longer lasting implants.

Also in the case of the choice between smooth and textures breast implants there are multiple variables to consider; it will be the surgeon, after the surgical consultation, to advise what is best based on the patient’s individual characteristics and on his knowledge and experience, explaining the differences, the advantages and the disadvantages of both.

Profile or projection of breast implants: low profile, moderate profile and high profile

By FDA

Breast implant profile, known also as mammary implant projection, defines how much an implant projects forward from the chest, especially evident on the side view. The main types of profiles are low, moderate and high, but there are also intermediate measures depending on the brand of the implant.

The profile must not be mistaken for the implant diameter which is the area of the base: these two are distinct and variable measurements and characteristics of each breast implant. The advice in this case is to look at the harmony of the overall end result, which as always depends from the individual characteristics of the patient; among the many variables the surgeon needs to look at the chest dimensions, the development of the breast following feminizing hormone therapy and the expectations of the patient who might want a more or less curvy result as well as a more or less natural aesthetic. The surgeon will take care of explaining the differences, making the patient understand the diverse range of possibilities and results, and advise the patient based on his clinical experience.

Breast implant incision placement

In the case of the cisgender woman there are many possibilities regarding the breast implant incision placement; in the case of the transgender woman, three are the incisions that are generally taken into consideration:

1. Periareolar incision
2. Axillary incision
3. Inframammary incision

The last one is considered by many surgeons as the incision of choice; this is because transgender women have a smaller nipple-areola complex when compared to cisgender women, which makes it harder to insert the implant as well as it makes harder the pocket creation (tissues dissection) where the implant is placed. The axillary incision is generally not advised as the pectoralis major muscle is stronger when compared to the one of a biologic woman as well as it is different the structure of the lower pole of the breast, making the dissection harder and increasing the risk of malpositioning the implant and/or of implant displacement/migration. Moreover, the axillary scar is more visible, for example when raising the arms or when wearing just the bra, reason for which this surgical approach is not the best choice. The inframammary approach instead guarantees an easier procedure for the surgeon, which translates into a better aesthetic result and a lower risk of complication whatever the implant of choice is. The scar is hidden in the inframammary fold by the breast itself or by the bra when this is worn, making less recognizable the fact that the patient underwent breast augmentation surgery.

The dimensions (volume) of the breast implant

Most of the patients is familiar with the dimension of breast implants, one of the most known variables and most discussed in internet forums. The dimension of the implant is indicated by a number which defines its volume and whose unit of measurement is the cm³ following the international standards, but is most commonly indicated as cc or CC.

The dimensions of breast implants vary between about 120cc and 800cc. It is not possible to estimate the final dimensions of the breast based purely on the implant size as it varies also based on the patient’s specific anatomy, such as the chest dimensions, the distance between the side of the chest and the nipple and the distance between the two nipples, the amount of glandular tissue present and other features of the chosen implant itself. It should be reminded that the skin has to be able to stretch and fit the implant and that its elasticity varies among different individuals, as well as variable is the risk of stretch marks. It is wise to consider this information too when choosing the volume of the breast implant.

Among the different ways to understand the final aesthetic result by choosing different volumes, the surgeon could help by using a measuring tape to show the proportions, or with the use of special bras to wear with pockets where implant replicas are inserted and that give an idea of the final result under the clothes, or by showing the pre-op and post-op pictures of patients with similar anatomy, or more recently with the use of 3D simulation and modeling software that can create a virtual model of the patient’s body and can approximate the final result.

The higher the volume, the higher is the risk of losing sensitivity in the breast area, which can partially or totally be recovered for up to one year after surgery thanks to the natural healing processes of the nerve endings; this is due to the fact that the increased volume stretches the nerves and the larger the volume, the more is the stretch and the possible nerve damage.

Larger volume also generally translates into longer recovery, with more discomfort, and a less natural aesthetic result.

Hence, in the choice of this breast implant characteristic it is important to listen to the advices of the surgeon, which are based on his knowledge and experience in this specific surgery.

In some cases, when the implant dimensions require it, or when the skin is not elastic enough, or when the natural growth due to HRT is poor, it might be required to undergo a two-step procedure: during the first step a tissue expander is placed subcutaneously and its volume will be increased weekly by injecting saline in it; the second step is the breast augmentation and it can take place once the stretch will be sufficient to fit the implant.

Breast lipofilling or Fat transfer breast augmentation

A further and alternative technique for breast augmentation is the breast lipofilling, also known as fat transfer breast augmentation or autologous fat graft.

The technique requires the harvesting of adipocytes, the fat cells or commonly “fat”, in a similar way liposuction is performed; it requires an area where it is possible to harvest enough fat cells as per the patient needs. The fat is then processed before in can be used to fill the breast region. The harvested fat cells need to be viable and need to receive nutrients from the tissues where it will be injected in order to stay vital. If this doesn’t happen, it will be resorbed and eliminated in the following weeks. Survival rate is about 40-70% of the grafted volume, which depends on the harvesting, processing and reinjection techniques employed; combining PRP (platelet rich plasma) to fat grafting is showing an higher survival rate of the fat cells, in some studies this rises to 70% when compared to 40% in the control group.

Although being and interesting and innovative technique, this is not a viable option for all of the patients. First off it is necessary to have a donor area where sufficient fat is present and that is possible to harvest. This is not possible in patients too slim. Secondly, it is not possible to make high volume augmentations with this technique, so it will depend also on the patient’s expectations. Nevertheless, it is an interesting surgical technique, especially to retouch some areas like the inframammary one when the two breasts are too wide apart after breast augmentation with implants; or it could be used to fill up small areas of which the patient might be aesthetically dissatisfied.

Fat transfer breast augmentation might also be indicated for patients who responded well to feminizing hormone replacement therapy, with satisfactory natural growth of the breast. Besides improving the aesthetics, this technique can also aid at improving the consistency of the breast to the touch. Lastly, this technique could be employed to correct some asymmetries.

It is of utmost importance when choosing this technique to choose a clinic and surgeon with specific experience and knowledge of current techniques and high satisfaction rate of the patients.

Surgery time, post-op recovery and advices

Surgery can be performed on a short in-patient stay or on an out-patient basis. It generally lasts 90-120 minutes. The anesthesiologist and the surgeon will prescribe medications to control post-op nausea and pain, but as for any other surgery some discomfort and fatigue might be felt during the first days of the recovery; the first two days will be the less pleasant due to the acute effects of surgery and anesthesia.

Swelling and bruising are to be expected and will be resorbed in the first weeks after surgery.

Based on the surgeon and procedure, the patient might be wrapped in protective elastic bandaging, or simply some surgical glue might be applied over the stitches. It might be advised by the surgeon to wear a post-surgical (compression) bra for two weeks both day and night and then day only for 4 weeks.

The patient won’t be allowed to raise their hands or lift heavy objects during the first days or weeks as advised by the surgeon.

It is usually not advised to take a shower during the first days post-op but listen to the specific advices from the treating surgeon. It is surely not advised though, to have long baths both in a bathtub or in a swimming pool, which could influence the healing process of the surgical wounds and which should be kept dry and clean. Sponging, wet wipes, shampoos at the hairdresser salon, are some of the ways to keep clean without getting completely wet.

It will be advised to sleep supine, on the back, with some pillows elevating slightly the chest position especially on the first week.

Getting out of bed early and walking is good both for healing and to decrease the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but it is very important to not get too tired and be careful as the effects of anesthesia and surgery might cause a fall, so it is better to have someone by the side; it is also important not to perform any movement which might cause bleeding, further swelling , bruising and pain.

Icepacks can help both in reducing the swelling and the discomfort.

On the first day post-op it might be advised to have a light or liquid diet, then based on personal feeling other foods can be reintroduced.

Smoking and drinking alcohol are to be avoided. This is a great opportunity to quit smoking, starting from a couple of weeks before surgery.

First check-up visit is usually scheduled within the first week post-op.

Two weeks post-op light activities can be resumed and often work can be resumed 1-week post-op.

6-8 weeks post-op most of activities can be resumed.

Ask the surgeon for advices on how to minimize scars, such as silicone sheets and creams. For at least one-year post-op avoid exposing the surgical scars to the sunlight, to minimize their visibility.

Risks and complications of breast augmentation in MtF transgender

Breast augmentation is one of the most performed procedures by plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgeons worldwide.

As any invasive surgery, breast augmentation carries some risks such as intra-op and post-op bleeding, infections and adverse reaction to the anesthesia.

Some of the specific risks and complications of this surgery are the following:

• Capsular contracture, which is the formation of fibrous scar tissue around the implant and which compresses it, causing distortion and unnatural aesthetics.
• Seroma, which is the collection of fluid between the implant and the capsule and that the organism is not able to resorb by itself.
• Implant migration, which is the shifting of the implant from where it was placed by the surgeon during the procedure.
• Implant rupture
• Loss of sensitivity which could affect the nipple, areola or the cutaneous region of the breast
• Prolonged pain after surgery
• Asymmetry of the breasts
• Dissatisfaction for the aesthetic results.

To correct these complications, further surgery might be required. 10 years post-op it might be advised to replace the implants.

Sources

• Breast augmentation in male-to-female transgender patients: Technical considerations and outcomes.
  TJ Miller, SC Wilson, JP Massie, SD Morrison, T Satterwhite – Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Set 2019
• Review: Proposed Methods to Improve the Survival of Adipose Tissue in Autologous Fat Grafting
  MJ Landau, ZE Birnbaum, LG Kurtz, JA Aronowitz – International Open Access Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Ago 2018
• Differences in Chest Measurements between the Cis-female and Trans-female Chest Exposed to Estrogen and Its Implications for Breast Augmentation
  AC Nauta, KM Baltrusch, AL Heston, SK Narayan, S Gunther, NO Esmonde, KS Blume, RV Mueller, JE Hansen,  JU Berli – International Open Access Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Mar 2019
• Gender Confirmation Center by Dr. Scott Mosser MD
• Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Management of Gender Dysphoria – A Multidisciplinary Approach
  C Trombetta, G Liguori, M Bertolotto – Springer, 2015

Richard Troy

Medical Blogger committed to accuracy, I am passionate about delivering my readers critical insights into the medical field.
Former paramedic, instructor and medical school student.
You can read more about me in the dedicated section of the website.

www.medtravel.asia/about-richard-troy-medical-blogger/

The post Guide to breast augmentation and implants for MtF transgender patients appeared first on MedTravel Asia.

Do you feel like you could look better with an increased bust-line? Breast augmentation or augmentation mammoplasty is a popular treatment that can help you feel more confident in your body with larger and perkier breasts.

Why Thailand?

Thailand is one of the top destinations for breast implant surgery due to the affordable prices compared to Western countries. The country is now home to World Class Board Certified Plastic Surgeons and state-of-the-art medical equipment. The cost for breast implants here is normally 30 – 50% lower compared to countries like the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost In Thailand?

Breast augmentation cost Thailand can vary, but regardless, it is much lower than what you would normally pay in Europe, the US, or Australia. In some clinics, breast implants can cost as little as $2,721, but on average the price for this procedure costs around 115,000 Thai Baht (roughly $3,400 USD.)

The total cost of the surgery will depend upon the following factors:

• Type of implant
• Surgeon’s fee
• Anesthesia fee, medical tests
• Operation Room/ Recovery Room
• Medical equipment fees, etc.

There are some major factors that will determine your breast augmentation cost:

1. Types Of Implants

The type of implant that you choose will affect the overall breast augmentation cost. Before you make the decision to undergo the surgery, you should know the difference between the types of breast implants.

Saline Implants And Silicone Implants

Saline implants have a silicone shell with sterile saltwater filling within. Silicone implants have a silicone shell and silicone filling. It can be very dangerous if a silicone implant leaks although it is extremely rare because silicone implants these days are well designed and tested.

2.    Shape Of The Implant

There are two shapes of implants that are normally used: gel silicone tear drop shaped implants and gel silicone round implants.

Women with very small breast tissue normally opt for tear drop implants as it is more natural looking, but these are costlier than the round shaped implants. Some of the best brands for tear drop implants like Eurosilicone or Allergan can cost around 130,000 Thai Baht which is roughly $4,300 USD. A popular brand for round shaped implant is Mentor which costs approximately $3,400.

3. Implant Placement

Another thing that affects breast implant cost is the implant placement.

A common approach is to place the implants underneath the muscle which gives a more natural look. The breast implant gets into a better position with time than if it were positioned above the muscle.

However, in certain cases, the implants may be placed right above the breast muscle like in athletic women.

Sometimes surgeons also place it in a Dual Plane meaning it is placed half below the muscle and half above the muscle. It is said to give more natural looking results but takes a long time for the surgeon to perform the surgery as compared to the standard breast implant and hence the additional $500.

Best Candidates For Breast Enlargement

It is important to understand that not everyone is suitable for breast enlargement surgery. The best candidates are women who are emotionally healthy and have a thorough understanding of the procedure.

You should be in good health, must follow a healthy diet and have a history of physical activity. Some of the best surgery outcomes are when you try and enhance your figure and not completely change it.

It is a very personal decision, and your reason for undergoing breast surgery may vary, but it is important to understand the procedure so that you will have a realistic expectation.

Final Advice On Breast Augmentation Thailand

With experienced surgeons, breast implants can make a wonderful difference in your body and boost your overall confidence.

Like any other cosmetic procedure, it is not a good idea to bargain for the cheapest gig in town. This is a life-changing procedure and requires the best training and years of experience to perfect. If you are on a tight budget, we recommend you to wait until you have saved enough to afford a top rated, heavily experienced surgeon.

References:

https://flawless.org/breast-enlargement/#thecost

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Fat transfer breast augmentation is performed by harvesting excessive unwanted fat cells from body parts like thighs, hips and tummy areas which are then carefully injected to your breast to enhance the shape and size. Thailand is growing in popularity as the destination for medical and cosmetic surgeries, and it would be an ideal place, choosing from their acclaimed health institutes for a satisfactory breast augmentation outcome.

Why Should You Consider Breast Augmentation?

If you want to increase your bust size naturally fat graft breast augmentation, Thailand is a safe option. Compared to implants you will find this approach less painful and more natural.

The number of women going for fat transfer to enhance breast size is growing because of its elemental looks and soft results. Before you go for any surgery, it will be wise to analyze the pros and cons of fat transfer.

Pros And Cons Of Fat Graft For Breast Augmentation

Let’s get deeper in to the pros and cons of fat transfer breast augmentation surgery in Thailand

PROS

1. Hundred percent natural: Harvesting of fats is done naturally from the excess fats present in your tummy, waistline, arms, thighs, and chin. Using your body tissues for the grafting results in a natural appearance that will feel soft.
2. Perfect silhouette result: Fat graft breast augmentation involves removing unwanted fats and enhancing your bust size. If you have stubborn double chin or love handles, get rid of them and transfer those fats to your breast. The results will be a perfectly sculpted waistline and increase in your breast size.
3. It has therapeutic healing: If you have previously undergone radiation treatment, there are chances of your tissues being damaged. Fat transfer breast augmentation has reportedly shown improvement in healing the damaged fat cell tissues.
4. No scars: The surgery involves only incisions with a cannula in focal points for harvesting and injections for grafting. This results in no visible scars after the augmentation, unlike in breast implants.
5. Minimized pain: The use of vaser liposuction or wet method for fat harvesting minimizes the pain, and there is no case of ecchymosis, which is discoloration of the skin due to bleeding underneath the skin.
6. Better than implants: While breast implants involve risks such as rupture of the tissues, capsular contracture, and malposition, with fat grafting you will be safe from the mentioned risks.
7. More cleavage: Though the increase in size is not dramatic you can opt for more volume to the upper area of your breast for enhanced cleavage.
8. No allergies: Usually, patients are concerned with allergies while considering any surgery. Fat grafting uses your own body tissues which eliminates any allergy-related outcomes.

CONS

1. Costlier than implants: Fat transfer involves two surgeries, liposuction and fat grafting, costing more than implants. The pricing on fat transfer may differ up to $10000 more than breast implants.
2. Fats are reabsorbed: While recovering, your body will have the tendency to reabsorb the fats grafted. Even at the hands of experts, nearly 50% of the fats will get naturally absorbed in places which may result in asymmetry. And it is impossible to identify where the re-absorption is occurred leading to multiple treatments.
3. Cannot correct sagging: Fat transfer will not provide any lift to sagging or drooping breasts, which occurs due to aging, weight loss or pregnancy.
4. Increase in size is less: While breast implants offer ranges of size increase, fat grafting will enhance the size only up to 2 cups bigger.
5. Calcifications may interfere in future screening: This approach results in the formation of calcifications in the breast. The patterns of calcifications from breast augmentation Thailand varies from the calcifications related to breast cancer which will interfere in the screening examination as they will be detected in mammogram tests.
6. Some other risks involved: Fat transfer will make your body vulnerable to infections, cysts, and necrosis (death of cells).

Can Fat Grafting Be Done On Underweight Women?

One of the most common concerns for underweight patients when it comes to breast augmentation in Thailand is whether they have enough fat tissues for fat harvesting. If you are skinny, you can still go for fat grafting for fuller breasts and healthy buttocks depending on your body’s unique build and physique. A detailed discussion with your surgeon will determine the procedure of harvesting enough fats from your body.

After the thorough reading on the pros and cons breast augmentation, we hope you have found enough insight to decide whether to go for fat transfer or stay au naturel.

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Breast augmentation and breast implants have become one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries, attracting almost 300,000 women globally. When you are planning to enhance the shape and size of your breasts, you will come across many comments that are either true or false. It is important to differentiate the myths from the facts.

Here are 10 common myths about breast augmentation and implants.

Myth #1: It will be hard to breastfeed after implants

Truth: Breastfeeding after implants is neither a risk nor a difficulty. The procedure involves incisions and injection, touching only the breast tissues. As long as the nipples and milk ducts are intact and undamaged, you will not face any discomfort during lactation. There hasn’t been a problem of breastfeeding by women with silicone implants so far; in fact, there are specific augmentation methods that improve breastfeeding.

This myth is commonly confused with the outcomes of reduction mammoplasty which means the reduction of the breast. If you are unable to breastfeed, it may be because of inborn anatomical inconsistency.

Myth #2: The results are unnatural and looks fake

Truth: Advanced technology has made it possible for fake breasts to look natural. Your surgeon will take into consideration your measurements and body type before deciding on the increase of the breast. The placement of the implants beneath the chest muscle hides the implant, and it also makes it easy to pass the screening examination. However, if the implants are a lot bigger than your original breast size, the outcome will be unnatural.

Myth #3: Implants will last for only ten years

Truth: On the contrary to this myth, high-quality silicone implants can last a lifetime. Moreover, in recent years the rate of implants deteriorating before ten years is only 4%. With saline and silicone gel implants there might be cases of leakage or implant fails which will result in discomfort on the breasts but the volume will not change. While your body will absorb saline, the leaked silicone gel can be surgically removed by your surgeon without complications. However, it is recommended to visit your surgeon at intervals to keep track of your implant status.

Myth #4: The results will show immediately after augmentation

Truth: One of the most promising breast augmentation myths is the expectation of seeing immediate results. What happens is, right after the surgery your muscles will react by contracting and there will be visible swelling. As the swelling fades, your breast will come to a normal position in 8 to 12 weeks giving you a perfectly shaped pair of breasts.

Myth #5: Implants will increase the risk of breast cancer

Truth: Breast implants do not increase the risk of breast cancer. Instead, it leads to the formation of scar tissue which may interfere in mammogram reading. However, the silicone gel will still allow the doctors to run a screening test successfully.[1]

Myth #6: I won’t be able to play sports after breast implants

Truth: After the surgery, your surgeon will advise you to avoid high impact activities which can affect your recovery phase. When you complete one month of the standard recovery period, you can indulge in any sports provided you wear the correct sports bra for support.

Myth #7: Larger implants are always better

Truth: The idea of enormous breasts sounds comical and impractical too. Before you decide on a dramatic bust size increase, you need to consider the proportion of your body. Technological innovations like the Vectra 3D helps the surgeons and patients see a preview of how the volume of size increase will look after surgery. Truth be told, smaller breasts look beautiful with the right shape and proportion.

Myth #8: Recovery time for breast augmentation will be long and painful

Truth: The standard period for recovery after augmentation is one to two weeks. Experiencing a certain amount of pain after any surgery is normal, but the pain won’t go to extreme lengths as the myth says. Recovery will differ from patient to patient. If your pain is not subsiding, your doctor will ease the discomfort with medications which should decrease within a week.

Myth #9: I will lose sensation on my breasts

Truth: You may lose sensation on your nipples after surgery. But, as your nerves adjust to the new size of your bust, your nipples will start feeling the sensation in a few months after full recovery. Permanent loss of breast sensation is almost zero to rare.

Myth #10: Breast augmentations will result in early sagging

Truth: Before undertaking a surgery, your surgeon will examine the quality and texture of your skin and accordingly decide the implant size. It is not recommended to place large implants if you have sagging skin.

Besides breast implants myths, there are prevailing risks that you should be mindful of. Any enhancement to your body will increase your self-confidence; be sure you are comfortable with or without the change.

[1] Since 2011, a possible association has been established between textured breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer of the immune system). In most cases, BIA-ALCL is found in the scar tissue and fluid near the implant, but in some cases, it can spread throughout the body. Precise risks are difficult to determine due to lack of information about how many patients have received breast implants in the US and worldwide. The risks are currently low, but investigations are ongoing and the potential risks are taken very seriously.

The international consensus is that there is no evidence supporting the removal of breast implants in the absence of properly diagnosed BIA-ALCL.

https://www.tga.gov.au/breast-implant-associated-cancer-or-bia-alcl

https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/implantsandprosthetics/breastimplants/ucm239995.htm

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Every surgical procedure comes with risks, but this one you may not have expected – back in February, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement saying at least 457 women in the US were diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma(ALCL), a rare type of cancer linked to breast implants.

The FDA reported that women with textured breast implants have a higher risk of developing ALCL as compared to other women who don’t have artificial implants. Besides ALCL, there are other breast augmentation risks involved with the surgery and anyone considering this procedure should know educate themselves about it.

A person should not take the decision to undergo breast enhancement surgery lightly. Aside from being an expensive surgery, it is important to know that the results are not guaranteed. There are also possible risks and complications.

Risks related to breast augmentation and breast implants

While a majority of breast enhancement surgeries go smoothly, there are certain risks associated with it. Here is a list of possible complications and adverse outcomes occurring in at least one percent of people who undergo breast enhancement surgeries. Patients may need additional surgeries or non-surgical treatments to treat any of these. Remember to discuss all complications with your doctor.

Additional information

A breast implant is not something that is meant to be used for a lifetime. The longer you have them, the more likely it is for you to face breast implants risks, and you may have to remove it altogether. There is also no guarantee that you will get satisfactory results from the reoperation.

You may have to undergo one or more reoperations depending on the complications you are facing due to the breast augmentation. Also, one reoperation could involve multiple surgical procedures.

References:

https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm630895.htm?utm_campaign=020619_Statement_CDRH%20Implant%20Safety%20and%20lymphoma&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/BreastImplants/ucm063743.htm

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Breast augmentation using fat graft is done when you want your enhanced breasts to look naturally big. Traditional breast implants can be scary compared to fat grafting, which is why this surgery is preferred by many women these days.

The augmentation of autologous liposuction started gaining ground by the 1990s. Though this form of surgery started as a cosmetic augmentation, health professionals have started using it for therapeutic purposes like repairing damages to the breast tissue from radiation treatments.

Lipofilling is a form of liposuction which was used to fix minor balancing, reshaping or positioning of the breasts. The successful results of these minor surgeries gave way to a full reconstruction of the breasts.

Statistics on Liposuction

After the introduction of fat transfer breast augmentation in the 1980s, the process took a hit because of the numerous complications that occurred during the procedures. Following deliberate troubleshooting, fat grafting is now the most researched technique for breast enlargement.

Recent survey shows that about 60% of plastic surgeons use fat transfer for breast enhancement and up to 30% uses it as a supplementary process for implants.

Procedure of fat transfer

The desired volume of fat is harvested from the patient’s thighs, arms, waist, and stomach, wherever there is excess fat, with a liposuction cannula. The extracted fat is placed under a process to gather and liquidate the correct fat amount for grafting. After carefully extracting the micro-fats from the body, they are meticulously re-injected to the breasts for the enlargement to work.

Multiple puncture focal points are made to insert the fat cells evenly. The fats get embedded to the tissue of the breasts, and it grows naturally up to 2 cup sizes large, and all these without implants.

Many young mothers are going for fat graft breast augmentation because after childbirth their breast size deflates. Sometimes they need to remove some unwanted fat pockets from the breast area that forms after having a baby, through liposuction.

In many cases after surgery, the body may reabsorb the fats over time, resulting in loss of some breast volume. For this reason, your surgeon may initially add more fats than desired.

Pros and Cons

You may have already decided to go for fat graft for breast augmentation, but there are certain things you should consider while the picture may look perfect to you.

Pros:

1. It is 100% natural as it only uses tissues from your body making them look natural and feel soft.
2. Since the grafting is made from the patient’s own body tissues, there is no risk of synthetic implants rupturing, encapsulation or adenopathies.
3. The overall procedure will enhance your silhouette completely while extracting unwanted fats from other parts of the body. You will get a new figure with slimmer thighs, flatter tummy, sculpted waistline, and bigger and perkier breasts.
4. You don’t have to worry about scars as the procedure uses only incisions for fat harvesting and injecting.
5. If you have gone through radiation treatment, the tissues on your breast might have been damaged. Fat grafting, besides adding curves, heals those tissues as well.
6. There will be no risk of rejection since you will be using your own body cells.

Cons:

1. When it comes to cost, fat transfer breast augmentation will be more expensive compared to other surgeries. It usually involves two surgeries, liposuction and fat grafting.
2. This approach will not help much to correct drooping or sagging breasts.
3. As the body reabsorbs the fats naturally, there will be a slight occurrence of asymmetry in the breast area.
4. For those who want a dramatic change in cup size, this surgery will not go more than a cup size or two whereas with breast implants there are no limitations.
5. After the surgery, calcifications in the breast commonly arises which is different from the pattern of the calcifications associated with breast cancer. These calcifications may interfere in the screening examinations as they will be visible in a mammogram.
6. Some risks that are involved in fat transfer are cysts, infection, and necrosis, which is, the death of cells.

Things to Consider Further

If you have already done breast augmentation with implants or have issues concerning capsular contracture and thin tissues, consider other options. And if you want your implants removed, you can go for explantation and replace it with fats by liposuction.

Surgeons usually don’t reject fat injection on skinny women for lack of body fats.  There is a technique to harvest enough fats using the ‘palm measure.’

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Breast augmentation is often referred to as a “boob job” by most people in the general public. What this implies is a surgery whereby the size of the breast is enlarged using of the multiple methods available. There are multiple outcomes which one can expect from a breast augmentation, which includes:

• Increasing the breast size and volume
• Enhancing the shape and projection of the breast
• Increase self-confidence and boost self-esteem
• Improve the breast-hip balance
• Reconstruct breast after mastectomy or injury

Before deciding whether you would like to have a breast augmentation procedure, it is important to understand the composition or breasts, the procedure and the different options available.

Understand that a “breast lift” is not the same as a breast augmentation procedure. Breast lift is used to raise a breast that has sagged due to aging. This procedure can be done separately or during a breast augmentation procedure, but requires a larger incision.

What is the breast made of?

The breast is made up of multiple different tissues, including blood vessels, glands, milk ducts and nerves which are all surrounded and cushioned by fatty adipose tissue. The fatty adipose tissue is responsible for giving the breast its soft feeling. The tissues that makes up the milk ducts, known as the glandular tissue, is what is primarily responsible for the shape and look of the breast. The underlying muscles do not contribute the shape, but help to support the breast tissue.

Understanding the structure of the breast helps to better visualize where implants are placed or where the fat is placed in a fat transfer breast augmentation.

Who is eligible to have breast augmentation?

Because breast augmentation is a very intimate and personal procedure for the person wishing to have it, it is important to make the decision for yourself whether you would like the procedure. The level of patient satisfaction is usually higher when the breast augmentation was done out of the will of the patient. Having said this, there are some patients who may NOT qualify to receive a breast augmentation procedure, for one or other reasons. The following would make one a good candidate for breast augmentation:

• Being physical fit and healthy to undergo surgery
• Not pregnant or breastfeeding
• If the breasts are fully developed
• If there is dissatisfaction with the shape, size or proportionality of the breasts
• If one or both breasts have failed to develop normally
• If one has undergone a mastectomy and would like to have a reconstruction surgery

Before having the surgery, it is imperative to have a conversation with your surgeon regarding all your medical conditions and relevant medical history because certain health conditions may affect the type of option or implant you may decide to use.

Different implant options

There are multiple options available in terms of the type of procedure, method and implant material that one can chose from. These include the following:

1. Silicone Implants

Silicone implants were the most popular material that was used in breast augmentation surgery in the 1990’s when there was an exponential increase in women who were seeking out the procedure. The earlier brands of silicone implants have been linked to the development of connective tissue disorders in some women. Since the revelation that there were health concerns regarding these implants, research was done in order to change the material composition of the implants. Since then, there have been improvements development of silicone, with silicone gel implants now being one of the FDA approved types of implants.

2. Saline Implants

Saline implants are the most commonly used implants in today’s breast augmentation market. The saline lays inside a soft silicone shell. The empty shell is first placed in the body, and the implant is slowly inflated to the correct size per the patients’ requests. The advantages over this implant to the silicone implant is that saline is a type of saltwater liquid solution which can easily be absorbed by the body, so in the event of a rupture or leak, there is little health implications. Unfortunately, the feel is less natural than that of a silicone implant.

3. Fat transfer breast augmentation

Fat transfer breast augmentation is the newest method of breast augmentation that was recently developed. This method uses fatty adipose tissue of the patient from other parts of the body, such as the thighs, in order to build up the breast tissue. The advantage of this method is that the rate of rejection is much lower, however, this procedure requires on to have an adequate amount of adipose tissue to be available for use.

The exact brand, shape and size can always be discussed with your surgeon. Remember that it is important to have an idea of what you would like out of your breast augmentation and what size you are looking for. Do not get caught up in cc’s of implants – your surgeon will know these much better and can choose the best one for what it is you are wanting to gain out of your breast augmentation. Additionally, there are other things that one can choose, such as textured or smooth shells and different implant shapes, like round or shaped to a pole.

Details of the breast augmentation procedure

Once all these decisions can be made, the procedure can be carried out. Breast augmentation surgery is typically done under general anesthetic, where the patient is completely unaware of what is happening. However, it can also be done under local anesthetic. The plastic surgeon will make an incision or cut in one of three places: the bottom crease of the breast, the armpit or the lower border of the areola. The surgeon carefully places the implant in the breast to display the correct shape and position. The implant can either be placed on top of the chest muscle or underneath part or the whole of the chest muscle. The incision is then close with stitches.

What you as a patient can expect, is that after the surgery, there will be gauze placed over the breast and will be in a special bandage or supported by a special bra. These stitches need to be removed, which can typically be done in 7 to 10 days. The breast will have bruising, swelling and pain for several days following surgery. This is to be expected and medicine will be giving to cope with the symptoms of the surgery. Most women are able to go back to their normal daily activities within a few days, however any heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided. Scars are minimally visible.

Risks of the breast augmentation procedure

Like all surgeries, there are risks that are involved. One of the most notable risks in breast augmentation surgery is that breast implants make it difficult to interpret mammography scans, which are used to aid in the detection of breast cancer. Additionally, after a period of time, there are changes that happen to the implants. This may lead to the increased risk that the implant bursts, ruptures or leaks, causing an abnormal shape of the breast and requiring a relook surgery, where the implants may need to be replace or removed after some time. Also keep in mind that breast implants may affect the ability to produce milk and breastfeed your babies. If you are planning on having a child, be prepared for the fact that you may have difficulty. These are only a few of the complications that can occurs from the surgery. Others include:

• Infection after surgery
• Hematoma or seroma
• Capsular contracture
• Change in nipple or breast sensation
• Unsatisfied with the final outcome
• Delayed wound healing
• Calcium deposits

However, regardless of the many risk that are associate with breast augmentation surgery, there are also numerous benefits. According to literature reports, it has been shown that women who have undergone breast augmentation out of their own desire have been reported to have very high levels of satisfaction. They have better self-image and self-esteem and more self-confidence. People who have undergone the procedure have stated they their breast implants make them feel more feminine and more attractive to the opposite sex.

If you are interested in feeling more comfortable with your body and having improved self-esteem, contact your plastic surgeon in order to discuss whether you are eligible for breast augmentation surgery and which option would best suit what you are looking for.

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