Every woman wants to have beautiful, even and firm breasts.Unfortunately, not every woman is naturally endowed with these features. A bust is considered a symbol of femininity.Women with small breasts often feel that they do not look feminine. Sometimes this is perceived as very burdensome.remedy is a breast augmentation. The breast becomes larger, fuller, more feminine and firm, small inequalities of the breasts can be compensated. Also, the breast changes in the course of life, after pregnancy, after heavy weight loss or age-related.Many women wish to be able to undo these changes and decide to have a breast augmentation. Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure performed on the female breast to increase its size. This procedure falls into the fields of reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery.
Indications (areas of application)
- Small breasts (congenital or after a long period of breastfeeding).
- Compensation of different breast shapes and sizes (e.g., breast asymmetry).
Before surgery
Before surgery, an intensive medical history discussion should be conducted that includes the patient’s medical history and motivation for the procedure. The procedure, any side effects, and the consequences of the surgery should be discussed in detail. Note: The requirements of the explanation are stricter than usual, since courts in the field of aesthetic surgery demand a “relentless” explanation. Furthermore, you should not take acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), sleeping pills or alcohol for a period of seven to ten days prior to breast augmentation. Both acetylsalicylic acid and other painkillers delay blood clotting and can lead to unwanted bleeding.Smokers should severely limit their nicotine consumption as early as four weeks before the procedure to avoid jeopardizing wound healing.
Implant selection
Implants (plastic cushions; breast prosthesis) consist of a double-walled silicone shell that protects against injury and provides a natural feel. Different filling materials are used for different implants/prostheses:
- Oil
- Hydrogel
- Silicone gel
- Saline solution
The selection of the appropriate implant is always done in consultation with the attending physician. Special bras allow you to try out the implants to get a better impression of the subsequent result.
The surgical procedure
Breast augmentation is usually performed under general anesthesia.Afterwards, you will stay in the clinic for about one to three days.For minor procedures, surgery under local anesthesia is also possible. Afterwards you can leave the clinic. In most cases, it is decided in advance where the incisions will be made. There are three options that are common for this:
- Underbust crease/breast fold (inframammary approach).
- Around or through the areola (transareolar approach).
- In the axilla (transaxillary access).
If saline is used, the incision can also be made in the belly button.Usually, the implant is placed under the pectoral muscle (submuscular implantation, especially in very thin women with little fat or glandular tissue) or under the mammary gland above the pectoral muscle (subglandular implantation), leaving the breast tissue itself largely untouched. This results in a more natural looking bust.The surgeon will position the implants to create a symmetrical result. In all breast surgeries, care is taken not to damage the delicate nerves and vessels of the nipple to ensure that both sensitivity and the ability to breastfeed are preserved. The wound is then sutured and so-called drains are placed to allow blood and tissue fluids to drain.A tight bandage supports the breast after surgery.
After the operation
During the first few days, movements of the upper body and arms are still somewhat difficult. Swelling and bruising are possible. Stitches are removed about a week after surgery. The scars fade over time and are then hardly visible. A special support bra must be worn for the first few months after the operation.The entire healing process takes about six to nine months.
Possible complications
- Major bleeding during or after surgery, with the risk of needing a blood transfusion or follow-up surgery (rare)
- Wound healing disorders in the surgical area due to infections, these may require implant removal under certain circumstances
- Scarring possibly keloid formation (bulging scars / scar proliferation with skin discoloration).
- Sensory disturbances in the area of the scars
- Due to the positioning on the operating table, it may come to positioning damage (eg, pressure damage to soft tissues or even nerves, with the consequence of sensory disturbances; in rare cases thereby also to paralysis of the affected limb).
- In case of hypersensitivity or allergies (e.g. anesthetics/anesthetics, drugs, etc.), the following symptoms may temporarily occur: Swelling, rash, itching, sneezing, watery eyes, dizziness or vomiting.
- As after any surgical procedure, thrombosis may occur, with the possible consequence of embolism and thus pulmonary embolism. Thrombosis prophylaxis leads to a reduction in risk.
Notes on risks and side effects of a breast implant
- Capsular fibrosis (foreign body reaction), i.e. formation of a hard connective tissue-like, sometimes painful capsule, which can occur as a result of breast augmentation (breast enlargement) by inserting an implant. This can lead to severe deformation of the breast.
- Change in position of the implant
- Leakage of filler material (tendency to silicone leakage; bleeds); reaction of the body with the leaked filler material; other effects depending on the type of filler material.
Benefits
Breast augmentation helps you feel feminine and attractive, and can help relieve psychological stress and boost self-confidence.
