Beautiful, elastic and toned breasts, with an attractive shape, isn't that the dream of every woman?Plastic breast augmentation is often associated with huge size and unnatural appearance.In practice, very few patients want such radical changes.The most common is the desire to enlarge the breasts by a few sizes - for example, from 1 to 3. Modern implants and surgical technologies make it possible to achieve the most natural appearance of the breasts, avoid complications and give women self-confidence.
Breast augmentation surgery is called augmentation mammoplasty.It is carried out under general anesthesia using implants of different shapes and sizes.The advantage of breast augmentation in modern plastic surgery is the ability to achieve symmetry and correct any congenital anomalies.Including improving the appearance of the nipple-areolar complex.
Which implants to choose?
Implants vary in shape: anatomical and round.The first, with their drop shape, create soft and natural breast contours.The mammary glands look very natural.Round implants give the breasts a visually larger size and make them appear raised (push-up).With them, the contour of the top of the neckline becomes higher.
Breast implant profile types also vary: from low to very high.The surface of silicone implants can be smooth or textured.
Your doctor will help you choose implants.Having extensive experience in mammoplasty, the surgeon will recommend several manufacturers and will also explain which form of implant will best suit your case.
During the consultation, you will be able to try on models of implants - sizers, in order to imagine what shape the future shape of the breast will be.
Ways to enlarge the mammary glands
A plastic surgeon performs breast augmentation in different ways.They can be surgical or non-surgical.The first include:
- augmentation mammoplasty with round or anatomical implants: breast augmentation of several sizes;the result of the operation is saved forever;
- breast lipofilling: increase of 1 to 1.5 sizes thanks to injections of purified autologous fat taken from “problem” areas;The result of lipofilling lasts forever if you avoid significant weight loss.
A cosmetic method for breast augmentation involves injecting resorbable gels (fillers).This method is quite expensive: contour plastic surgery with fillers costs almost the same as breast surgery, and the effect lasts on average up to 2 years.
The shape of the cable glands can be corrected using a thread lifter.The procedure will not increase the size of the breasts, but will give them a nice shape.
Advantages of mammoplasty:
- Beautiful chest proportions.During the consultation before a breast augmentation operation, the doctor will recommend the most suitable type of implant, the method of installation (under the mammary gland or under the muscle), as well as the access options (axillary, inframammary, periareolar).Implants are always selected individually - the lines of leading manufacturers include hundreds of models differing in volume, shape and size.
- Modeling the result.Modeling or trying on sizers (prosthesis models used to select implants) allows you to evaluate in advance to what extent the effect of mammoplasty will meet your expectations.
- Implant warranty.Clinics offer a guarantee on implants installed in the breast. The safety of stents for breast augmentation has been confirmed by clinical studies: they do not affect the general condition of the body, are not dangerous in case of damage to the membrane (silicone gel with a dense structure does not penetrate into the surrounding tissues), do not interfere with the preventive examination of the mammary glands and do not limit the possibility of breastfeeding in the future.
- Breast augmentation of several sizes.If breast augmentation using your own adipose tissue (lipofilling) allows you to adjust the volume only within relatively small limits (1-1.5 sizes), then with the help of mammoplasty you can achieve an impressive effect in one operation.Having received the desired volume, you can be sure that it will not change over time.
- Security and confidence in the result.The result of augmentation (breast augmentation) depends on the professionalism of the surgeon, which is why breast augmentation should be performed in a specialized clinic, by doctors with extensive experience.
Methods of performing breast augmentation surgery
The implant can be placed:
- under the gland;
- under the muscle.
Installation of implants under the gland shortens the rehabilitation period.Recovery is less painful.But this method subsequently turns out to be fraught with pitfalls.For example, breast sagging may be more visible.Constrictive fibrosis, if present, may be more pronounced.For girls who have not given birth but are planning to have children, implants are placed only under the muscle.
Possible access:
- inframammary (incision under the breast);
- periareolar (incision around the nipple-areolar complex);
- axillary (incision on the side at the level of the armpits).
Inframammary access– the most preferable method from the point of view of controlled recovery.It is used in cases of breast surgery if the patient later plans to give birth and breastfeed her baby.Even very large implants can be easily installed using this access.Postoperative scars will be hidden in the folds under the breasts.
Periareolar accessgood when breast lift and augmentation are performed simultaneously.This type of access allows the shape of the nipple-areolar complex to be modified.If the areola is small, it will not be possible to place a large implant.The periareolar scars will follow the contour of the areola.Over time, they will become almost invisible to the naked eye.This type of access is not recommended for nulliparous girls, as the milk ducts could be damaged during the operation.
Axillary accessgood for installing small implants.But it is impossible to install such anatomical implants, only round.In this case, the scars will be located in the armpits.
Before and after photos of breast augmentation with implants can be found at the bottom of the page.
Types of Breast Augmentation Implants
For breast augmentation, silicone implants of different volumes (1 size equals 120 ml) and shapes are used: round or teardrop-shaped (anatomical).
- The mammoplasty operation with placement of round implants forms voluminous, raised breasts with regular rounded contours.In nature, this shape of mammary glands ("apple") is quite rare, so after breast augmentation, the breast may look less natural than with the installation of anatomical implants.But this type of implant is suitable for correcting slight ptosis of the mammary glands without additional lifting.
- Teardrop implants replicate the most common shape of mammary glands: they resemble a cone in appearance.With them, the chest acquires a fuller lower pole with a smooth descent, characteristic of a natural bust.Sometimes only the use of implants of different volumes can correct the existing asymmetry.
In various cases, your surgeon may recommend implants with a smooth or textured surface.
- Smooth round models are suitable for axillary (transaxillary) installation.
- Anatomically shaped models with a textured surface are often chosen for breast augmentation thanks to access under the mammary gland (inframammary), which allows you to achieve a beautiful, natural result.
Indications for breast augmentation
- unsatisfactory breast size;
- breast asymmetry;
- ptosis caused by breastfeeding/sudden weight loss;
- excess adipose tissue;
- excess glandular tissue;
- unsatisfactory nipple shape.
Plastic surgery using implants is indicated for reconstructive breast correction - after removal of tumors or complete mastectomy.Thus, the operation is not only aesthetic in nature.It can also be performed for medical reasons.
Contraindications to mammoplasty of the mammary glands
- young age (up to 18 years old);
- period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- blood clotting problems;
- liver diseases;
- cardiovascular and endocrine diseases;
- diabetes mellitus;
- oncology;
- diseases of the respiratory system;
- infectious and viral diseases;
- mental disorders.
If the results of the preoperative tests are not satisfactory, the operation is postponed to a later date or canceled.
Two weeks before surgery, you must stop taking blood thinners and hormonal medications.
How is the breast augmentation procedure carried out?
- The patient speaks with the surgeon.Preoperative markings are applied.This is followed by a conversation with the anesthesiologist.
- The operation itself takes place under general anesthesia and lasts from 1.5 to 3 hours.The doctor makes small incisions under the breast / in the armpits / around the nipple.Through an incision, the implant is placed under the gland or muscle.The position of the implant is discussed beforehand during the consultation.
- Next, drains are installed and sutures are applied.
- After recovering from anesthesia, the patient remains in the hospital for 24 hours after the operation, as patients require round-the-clock monitoring.
What examinations should be carried out before the testing procedure?
If your doctor is considering cosmetic correction under local anesthesia, you will need to pass several basic tests before the procedure:
- General clinical blood test (complete + platelets)
- Coagulogram (blood clotting time, bleeding time, INR, prothrombin index, fibrinogen, APTT)
- Biochemical blood test: ALT, AST, bilirubin, cholesterol, urea, creatinine
- Blood sugar (glucose) test
- Tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis
Blood group test (with Rh)
- ECG (electrocardiogram)
- Fluorography
- General urine test
- Examination by a mammologist, including breast ultrasound or mammogram
- Therapist's conclusion on the possibility of surgical intervention (for patients over 30 years old)
*Your doctor may order additional tests to more accurately predict the outcome and minimize the risk of complications during breast augmentation.
Rehabilitation period
After the operation, you stay in the hospital under the supervision of medical staff until the next morning.Sometimes you have to stay in the clinic for two days.Then you go home.In the first days, swelling, pain, a slight increase in body temperature and a feeling of “tension” are the norm.Swelling and pain usually disappear within 10 to 14 days after surgery.After 2 weeks, the surgeon removes the stitches.In the meantime, you should take the medications prescribed by your doctor.In the first days after plastic surgery, you must take antibiotics, which means that alcoholic beverages are prohibited.Pain medications recommended by your surgeon will reduce pain after surgery.
After plastic surgery, it is necessary to eliminate the risk of allergic reactions.It is therefore not recommended to consume foods that cause allergies.The doctor will provide a list during the consultation.Allergies are dangerous due to increased swelling and, as a result, pain.
What should you not do during the recovery period?
- overexerting yourself physically and emotionally;
- go to the sauna, swimming pool, gym;
- sunbathing;
- sleep on your side;
- raise your hand;
- touch and rub the bust.
You must wear compression garments for a month.For the next two months, it is best to wear sports bras without underwire.3 months after mammoplasty, you can update your linen wardrobe.
The doctor will prescribe an examination plan for you.It is important to follow it to avoid side effects.
Possible complications
If the doctor's recommendations are not followed, the implant may shift and inflammatory processes may develop.For a controlled result, we leave the drainage in place.This reduces the risk of postoperative complications.
Later, there is a risk of the formation of constrictive fibrosis - the formation of a dense capsule around the implant.Implant manufacturers indicate the percentage of possible risk of capsular contracture.We work with implants that have the least risk of connective tissue growing around them.
Sometimes the mammary glands do not completely cover the contours of the implant due to their small size.In this case, lipofilling can be performed to conceal the implant and restore a natural appearance to the breast.
Due to injury, the implant may rupture.In the event of breakage, an operation is carried out to remove it and replace it with a new one.
When should you contact a surgeon?
- the breast becomes hard to the touch;
- the color of the skin in the implant area changes;
- a vascular network appears;
- the breast is deformed;
- pain appears.
Patients often come to us after operations in other clinics to complain of capsular contracture.Then a repeat mammoplasty is performed with replacement of the implant and removal of fibrous tissue.
Constrictive fibrosis occurs more often when the implant is positioned under the gland.If it is under the muscle, small signs of fibrosis may not be noticeable and harmless.
If you want to find a place that performs breast augmentation at a lower cost, think twice before talking about your physical and mental health.Take your time and make an informed decision.
Breast augmentation price
The price of breast augmentation varies from one clinic to another.It is formed from a number of factors:
- skill of the surgeon
- plastic method
- cost of implants
- volume of consumables
- duration of anesthesia
- length of hospital stay