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Breast
size is important to many women. Some individuals feel that small
breasts not only limit their fashion choices, but can also cause
dissatisfaction with body image.
Breasts contribute
to female body proportions and having a proper and proportionate body
contributes to overall attractiveness. For many women, breast size is
an important part of feeling good, desirable and normal. Breast
augmentation to increase fullness and projection of the breasts
improves the balance in a woman’s figure and can enhance her self-image
and self-confidence. It can make a woman feel more like the ideal and
can drastically improve the way she views herself.
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Breast
augmentation- enlarges a woman's breasts through the surgical placement
of breast implants. This can dramatically improve the appearance of a
woman’s breasts. It is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic
procedures in the united states today. Permanent breast enlargement can
only be achieved surgically, there is currently no medical treatment of
any kind for breast enhancement with the proven result and satisfaction
of breast augmentation.
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| Who should have it done? |
| This
procedure is most suitable for women who have small, underdeveloped
breasts, breasts which are asymmetric (one smaller than the other), or
breasts which have decreased in size after a woman has had children. It
is also suitable for woman who feel they should have bigger breasts to
give them a proportionate figure. Implants may also be used to
reconstruct breasts after mastectomy. |
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| Breast
augmentation is a highly individualised procedure- one that you should
choose to undergo to fulfill your own desire for enhanced breast size,
not the desire of others. |
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| How old should you be before you can have an augmentation? |
| Adult
woman of any age can benefit from breast augmentation, however it is
recommended that breasts be fully developed prior to breast augmentation |
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| How are breasts enlarged? |
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Implants
made of medical grade, bio-compatible silicon are used for
augmentation. The outer shell is made of either textured or smooth
silicone with either saline, silicone gel or cohesive silicone gel as
its content. The saline and silicone gel implants have a higher risk of
leaking and subsequently deflating. The cohesive gel silicone implants
are semisolid in consistency and retain its shape even if cut open. |
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surface of the implants may be smooth or textured. The smooth surfaced
implants are more mobile, while the textured are likely to be
restricted in mobility, as the tissues grip the surface better. The
advantage of cohesive gel implants is that they can be shaped like a
breast, which is why they are called as anatomical implants. |
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| Technique- |
| Breast
augmentation is usually done under general anaesthesia. The implants
are commonly inserted through an incision in the fold below the
breasts. Other access sites such as peri-arolar and axillary can also
be used. Your surgeon at Aesthetics will be able to tell you the one
most suitable for you. The inframmary incision is of about 5 - 6 cm
length. A pocket is created under the breasts and the implants are
placed in it. This pocket will either be under the chest muscle or
above it, depending on the preexisting volume of your breasts. The
wound is closed meticulously. A tube to drain out collected blood may
or may not be placed, depending upon the amount of dissection. |
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| Post operative care- |
| You
will notice the difference in the size of your breasts almost
immediately. They will be strapped in a firm compressive dressing, till
the drains are removed and then you will be advised to wear a firm
supportive bra continuously for 8 weeks. As the wounds are closed with
absorbable sutures, stitch removal is not usually necessary. You will
be allowed to go home either on the same day or whenever you feel
comfortable. |
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| Selection of Implant- |
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The
increase in the cup size of the breasts depend on the original cup size
and the volume of implant used. Pre-operative sizing techniques such as
the “BioDimensional Planning system for Matrix Implants” are used by us
in “ Aesthetics ” to assess the implant size most suitable for you. |
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| Digital
simulation software may also aid in taking a decision. Depending on the
shape you hope to achieve, you and your Surgeon at “Aesthetics” may
choose either a round or anatomical/contoured implant. |
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| What to expect? |
Immediately
after the operation, most women experience mild swelling, bruising and
tenderness. These symptoms subside in a short time. The breasts will be
riding high on your chest. Once the swelling has subsided, the breasts
will settle to a more natural and pleasing location and shape. This may
take up to 3 - 6 months.
After the operation, you
may have mild to moderate realisation of discomfort, most noticeable
only on movement. This is easily controllable with oral medication. In
a weeks time most medication can be stopped.
We advise you to refrain from vigorous activity for two weeks and
aerobic upper body exercise for six weeks to allow your wounds to heal.
We strongly advice you to wear a firm supportive bra continuously for
eight weeks. This helps in fixing the implant in proper position and
reduces risk of rotation of implant.
Following your breast surgery, you will enjoy a new more pleasing
shape, with more comfortable breasts that are in better position to
your physique. |
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| Possible risks and complications. |
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Surgical Risks
- possible
complications of general anesthesia, as well as nausea, vomiting and
fever. These will be discussed in detail with your anaesthetist.
- infection.
Usually prevented and treated by antibiotics. If the infection cannot
be controlled by antibiotics, then the implant will have to be removed
till the infection is controlled and reinserted at a later date.
- hematoma (collection of blood that may cause swelling, pain and bruising, perhaps requiring surgical draining)
- Delayed wound healing. This is very rare after a standard breast augmentation.
Implant Risks
- capsular
contracture (hardening of the breast due to scar tissue). Body lays
down a layer of scar tissue around any foreign object, which in some
individuals can become very hard and distort the implant. Risk is only
about 5 -10% with the newer generation of implants.
- leak
or rupture--silicone implants may leak or rupture slowly, releasing
silicone gel into surrounding tissue; saline implants may rupture
suddenly and deflate, usually requiring immediate removal or
replacement. Cohesive gel implants have not been shown to leak.
- temporary or permanent change or loss of sensation in the nipple or breast tissue.
- formation
of calcium deposits in surrounding tissue, possibly causing pain and
hardening- only a problem in silicone gel implants, if they leak
- shifting
from the original placement, giving the breast an unnatural look.
Proper precautions have to be taken to prevent rotation or displacement
of implants and hence firm support is necessary after surgery.
- interference
with mammography readings, possibly delaying breast cancer detection by
"hiding" a suspicious lesion. To reduce this risk, some surgeons advice
placing implants behind the chest muscle.
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| Possible Risks of Breast Implants |
| Recent
epidemiological studies have shown, however, that there is not a large
increased risk of traditional autoimmune, or connective tissue disease,
from silicone gel implants.
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| Frequently asked questions |
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| Are silicone implants safe? |
| The
Uk Government appointed Independent Review Group (IRG) July 1998 has
concluded that there is no conclusive evidence for any link between use
of silicon and immunological or connective tissue disorders. Recently
US FDA has also approved use of silicon implants manufactured by Mentor. |
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| Silicon implants and Cancer? |
| the
IRG has concluded that there is no increased risk of cancer with use of
silicon implants. They however advise that women should continue to be
screened. |
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| Do implants affect screening? |
| Implants
do not affect screening of the breast, but they make it technically
difficult and special views may be necessary. Hence, the technician
should be informed prior to screening. |
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| What is the life of an implant? |
| The
newer generation of implants are guaranteed for a lifetime from
manufacturing defects such as leak or rupture/degradation by the
manufacturers of reputed implants. These newer generation of implants
have been in use for the last 7 - 8 years. Implants only need to be
removed if they cause a problem. Implants should be routinely reviewed
by your surgeon at Aesthetics. |
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| Results and outlook |
| The
results of breast augmentation are immediately visible. Final results
appear gradually over the next few weeks as swelling resolves and
breast size and shape settles. Incision lines typically will continue
to fade over the next year. Over time, your breast can change due to
aging, weight fluctuations, hormonal factors and gravity. However, your
new enhanced breast contour and the freedom to wear the clothes you
enjoy without the need for padded bras should bring you added
self-confidence whether at the beach or boardroom. |
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