Breast Augmentation Surgery: The Solution To Small Breasts

Breast augmentation surgery is considered the best solution for small breasts, and it become a popular choice for women seeking to enhance their body image and confidence. Breast augmentation can also help to address medical concerns.

Whether you are considering the surgery for aesthetic or medical reasons, understanding the benefits, risks, and impacts on your life can help you to make an informed decision.

So, let’s explore the procedure in-depth and understand its implications on one’s life and well-being.

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that helps to enhance self-confidence and body image by increasing the size, shape, or fullness of the breasts. The process typically involves the insertion of implants either under the breast tissue or the chest muscles.

For those women who have undergone mastectomies or have other medical conditions affecting the breasts, this reconstructive technique helps in restoring the breast’s appearance.

Types of Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation surgery can be broadly categorized into two types: breast implant and fat transfer.

Breast Implant: Breast implant is one of the most popular methods of breast augmentation that involves inserting artificial implants into the breasts. There are two types of breast implants: saline-based breast implants and silicone-based breast implants.

• Silicone Implants: Crafted from adaptable silicone gel, these implants closely mimic the texture and look of natural breast tissue. In case of a rupture, the gel may remain within the implant’s casing or leak into the breast area.
• Saline Implants: These are inserted empty and then filled with a sterile saline solution. Saline implants are more durable than silicone implants and might cause a noticeable rippling effect. If these implants rupture, the body can safely absorb and process the saline.

Fat Transfer: Fat transfer breast augmentation surgery is an innovative approach to breast enhancement in which the body’s own fat is used to enhance breast size and shape. In this process, fat is extracted from one part of the body, typically from the abdomen or thighs and carefully injected into the breasts.

But what are the benefits of using this method? Well,

• It avoids using synthetic implants in favour of depending on the body’s fat.
• This approach avoids worries about implant rupture, providing comfort not generally associated with artificial implants. The resulting breast feel is more natural to the touch as well.
• Fat grafting solves two cosmetic concerns simultaneously: increasing breast size while slimming down other body portions where excess fat may be undesirable.

Apart from these two popular breast augmentation procedures, sometimes board-certified plastic surgeons use gummy bear implants or structured saline implants.

Gummy bear implants are made from denser, more cohesive silicone gel and are highly resistant to rupture and displacement.

Unlike ordinary saline implants, structured saline implants have an interior structure that helps the implant maintain its form more efficiently.

Although breast implants are available in different sizes and shapes, choosing the right size and shape is essential for the desired outcome and avoiding any other complications.

Reasons for Choosing Breast Augmentation

Some women choose breast augmentation surgery to boost self-esteem and image, while others use it for medical reasons.

Personal Reasons: For many women, breast augmentation is more than a physical transformation; it’s a step towards self-empowerment. Women who have naturally small breasts or those who have experienced changes in breast size due to weight loss, pregnancy, or aging often undergo breast augmentation surgery to restore breast fullness. This improvement in appearance can significantly boost their self-esteem and body image, making them feel more comfortable and confident in their skin. They can wear their favourite clothes with confidence.

Medical Reason: Breast augmentation surgery is not only effective for aesthetic enhancement, but it also plays an important role in addressing medical issues like breast asymmetry, where one breast is noticeably smaller than the other. It is a vital procedure in reconstructive surgery, especially for women undergoing mastectomy due to breast cancer. For such women, breast augmentation helps with emotional healing and body image repair by restoring what was lost.

A perception of attractiveness in society might impact the choice to get breast augmentation surgery. However, undergoing breast augmentation surgery is a highly personal choice. Psychological advantages, such as increased self-confidence and body positivity, often go beyond social limits. If you are considering this procedure, you should put your well-being and preferences ahead of social factors.

Breast Augmentation Procedure

Breast augmentation is performed under anesthesia, and it usually takes 3 to 4 hours. Here are the steps that are involved in breast augmentation.

Consultation and Pre-Operative Preparation: Like any surgical procedure, breast augmentation starts with a thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. During this consultation, you will discuss your goals and medical history with the surgeon, and the surgeon will examine your breasts. Also, discuss the overall breast augmentation cost to avoid any confusion in future. Your surgeon will advise you to avoid certain medications, fasting for a specific period before the procedure and also suggest you arrange for someone to drive you home post-surgery.

The Procedure: Breast augmentation is typically performed under local or general anesthesia so that you don’t feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. After giving anesthesia, the board-certified plastic surgeon makes a cut (incision) under your breasts, under your arms, or around your nipples, depending on your body, the type of implant, and how much enlargement is being done.

The implant is then placed in a pocket above or below the chest muscle. After placing the implant, the surgeon closes the incision with sutures or surgical tape.

Recovery: Immediately after the procedure, you will taken to the recovery areas, where you will be monitored for three to four hours. Your surgeon will also place the drainage tubes to remove the extra fluid accumulation.

You can experience some swelling, pain and bruising for 3-5 days after the procedure. Your board-certified plastic surgeon may prescribe medication to manage the pain. The overall recovery time varies from patient to patient depending on factors like age, types of procedure and individual healing process. However, after three months of the procedure, you can see the final results when the swelling and bruising completely disappear.

Your surgeon will give some instructions regarding wound care and how to boost your recovery. These instructions may include resting properly, eating a well-balanced diet, staying hydrated, wearing compression garments, avoiding strenuous activities, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption. You should follow these instructions carefully for a quick and smooth recovery.

Risks and Considerations

Like any surgical procedure, breast augmentation surgery carries some risks as well. Understanding these risks can help you to make realistic expectations from the procedure. The most common risks of breast augmentation may include:

• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Swelling, pain and bruising
• Seroma (fluid accumulation)
• Change in nipple or breast sensation
• Implant rupture
• Capsular contraction
• Unsatisfactory results

How could you eliminate these side effects? Simply by choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon and a well-equipped and reputable hospital or clinic. The board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in breast augmentation have undergone the required training and have experience in handling the complication.

Now, the question arises: how could you choose a plastic surgeon? Here are a few quick tips that can help you find a plastic surgeon specializing in breast augmentation procedures:

• Ensure that the surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery. This certification indicates that they have undergone extensive training and follow high standards of practice.
• Look for a surgeon who has a track record of successful surgeries.
• Review the surgeon’s portfolio of before and after photos to get insights into their skill and the results you can expect.
• Read online patient reviews and ask for recommendations from your family, friends or colleagues who have previously undergone breast augmentation procedures.
• Schedule your consultation with surgeons and choose the surgeon who communicates openly with you regarding the procedure, breast augmentation cost, benefits and risks and addresses all your concerns. You should also not hide your medical history or other information that might interfere with the procedure and recovery.

Consideration

Long-term considerations include the need for future surgeries to replace or remove the implants. Breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime, and future surgery might be required to replace one or both implants. It can significantly increase the breast augmentation cost. Therefore, you should have realistic expectations from the procedure.

Impact of Breast Augmentation on Life and Well-Being

The effects of breast augmentation extend beyond the physical realm, encompassing psychological and social dimensions.

• While the initial phase after breast augmentation involves an adjustment period, most women see new body contours. This physical enhancement often translates into increased self-assurance, appearing more confident in their overall look and newfound ease in experimenting with various clothing trends.
• Breast augmentation might significantly affect one’s social interactions and personal relationships.

Wrapping Up!

Breast augmentation surgery offers a solution for women seeking to enhance their breast size and shape, whether for personal reasons, medical necessities, or a combination of both. Understanding the types of implants, the surgical procedure, and the associated risks and considerations is crucial in making an informed decision. Also, choosing the right surgeon is critical to ensure safety, minimize risks, and achieve the desired outcome.