Breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the direction of mammoplasty. Augmentation mammoplasty is a complete surgical procedure. Breast augmentation surgery is performed under general anesthesia and requires careful preparation of the patient, as well as her stay in the clinic (the time varies depending on the complexity of the surgery and the condition of the patient). Currently, various methods of breast augmentation with different implants have been developed and successfully practiced. Indications for surgery are primary aplasia (absence of mammary glands), primary hypoplasia (underdevelopment of the mammary glands), involution of the mammary glands, mastectomy (surgical removal of the glands, both complete and partial).
From the history of augmentation mammoplasty
The need for breast augmentation surgeries was dictated by diseases that required the removal of breast tissue or led to deformation, asymmetry of the mammary glands in women. The first attempt at breast augmentation was made in 1889. Liquid paraffin was used as a filler (implant), which was injected into the mammary gland. In 1895 the first augmentation operation was performed using the patient's own tissues (in this case, a lipoma that was removed from the patient's thigh). The unsatisfactory results of the operations carried out motivated a new search for alternative materials. So throughout history, doctors have used glass balls, foam, sponges, polyurethane, ivory, and many other materials. The introduction of these materials led to the development of inflammatory processes in the tissues of the mammary glands, infections, tissue necrosis and the rejection of implanted materials.
Only in the sixties of the last century, for the first time in medical practice for breast augmentation, silicone implants were used, which are the prototypes of those breast implants that are used in modern plastic surgery. The covering of the first implants allowed filler molecules to pass through, which led to the development of aseptic inflammation in patients, and the smooth surface of the implant led to the development of capsular contracture.
In the 1980s, scientists hypothesized that the silicone breast implants used caused the development of breast cancer. The Food and Drug Administration has conducted numerous studies without finding any confirmation or refutation of this hypothesis. Modern breast implants are completely safe for the health of patients, and innovative technologies allow you to recreate the natural relief, shape, and tactile sensations of touching an enlarged breast.
Breast augmentation methods. Non-surgical techniques. Implants
There are two main methods of breast augmentation: surgery and non-surgical practices.
Breast augmentation surgical methods differ in the type of access to the breast:
- Tissue dissection at thefold (in the natural flexion line), which is more convenient for the surgeon, provides greater access to the tissues, and is preferable for patients, since the scar will be hidden in the crease;
- Dissection of the tissues around the areola.It is assumed that the scar is less visible in the areola area, however, this technique carries the risk of damage and scarring of the ductsdairy, which will interfere with breastfeeding during breastfeeding;
- Axillary approach: Tissue dissection in the patient's armpit is the most dangerous method of breast augmentation. The main advantage of the technique is the total absence of scars in the mammary glands.
Depending on the implant placement method, a distinction is made between implant placement directly under the breast and under the pectoral muscle. Recently, plastic surgeons have been talking about another technique for placing a breast implant under the fascia of the pectoral muscle, which is actually a placement under the breast.
Non-surgical breast augmentation techniques involve complexes of physical exercises, dietary supplements, hormonal medications (mild breast augmentation is one of the side effects of some groups of medications). It should be noted that physical training is ineffective, since it involves the pectoral muscles. The mammary gland itself does not contain muscle tissue. Dietary supplements and hormonal medications only cause slight temporary breast enlargement.
Modern implants are distinguished by their shape (round, drop-shaped), surface texture (smooth and ribbed texture) and also by their filling (saline, gel, hydrogel). The shape and size of the implants are selected individually, based on the natural relief of the patient's breast.
Rehabilitation period after breast augmentation
The rehabilitation period after breast augmentation surgery is characterized by swelling, painful sensations, and bruising. For the first 14 days after the operation, patients are shown to be completely resting. During the first month, a specially selected compression garment should be worn. In the first three months after breast augmentation, patients should avoid physical activity, visit the pool, sauna. The final result after breast augmentation surgery can be evaluated only after 9-12 months.
Breast augmentation: comments on the operation
Before deciding on a breast augmentation operation, the reviews of which are highly controversial, the patient must understand that mammoplasty is a full-blown operation and not a cosmetic procedure that carries certain risks to health. To avoid the negative consequences of the operation, patients are urged to study the existing methods of breast augmentation surgery, the types of implants available, and also to visit the offices of various plastic surgeons. Breast augmentation, the reviews of which are available on the global network, requires considerable experience from a plastic surgeon in this particular direction. The error of a surgeon can have undesirable consequences in the form of asymmetry, different sizes, visible scars, as well as the development of capsular contracture, inflammation, implant rejection and damage during surgery.
Breast augmentation before and after
Many plastic surgeons offer patients to browse the portfolio, which contains a surgeon's work on breast augmentation before and after. This visual demonstration of the results allows patients to evaluate the real possibilities of the operation. The portfolio shows photos of patients and the results of breast augmentation before and after from different angles. Computer modeling allows the desired proportions to be applied to the actual physical image of the patient.