Breast Augmentation

When it comes to cosmetic surgical procedures, no other form of surgery comes close to breast augmentation in terms of popularity. Statistics provided by American Society of Plastic Surgeons prove that breast augmentation surgery has been the most sought after procedure among American women in the past few years. With upwards of 286,000 surgeries being performed just in 2014, it is clear that this is the most popular plastic surgery today.

As the name suggests, breast augmentation, otherwise known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgery that aims to enhance the appearance of a woman’s breasts. Breast enhancement can be achieved by inserting saline or silicone-based implants to provide more volume and fullness as well as to refine naturally asymmetrical breasts. A breast augmentation can also be performed after a mastectomy – the surgical removal of breast(s) due to diseases like cancer – or after an injury to the chest area.

Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants

Saline and silicone implants have their advantages and disadvantages. Our patients’ safety is the first priority of Madison Avenue Plastic Surgery and our surgeons will recommend the best implant type for you and your needs. The outer shells of saline as well as silicone implants are constructed of durable silicone material making both implants strong and long-lasting. With that said, let’s look at some of the differences between each of the implants:

Saline Breast Implants:

• The insides of saline implants are filled with salt water.
• If the implants break, the salt water will quickly rush out of the shell and be absorbed by the body. Even though this is not harmful to the body, the breast size will reduce right away.
• A saline implant’s size can be adjusted during the surgery which gives the surgeon more control in forming the desired size and shape of the breasts.

Silicone Breast Implants:

• These gel-filled implants feel much more natural compared to their counterparts.
• If torn, the gel does not leak out and the implants stay in their place. As a result, the breasts will usually maintain their shape.
• Because of the material they are made of, silicone implants are more expensive than saline implants.
• Larger incisions are needed to insert silicone implants.
• Silicone implants come pre-filled therefore the surgeon does not have as much control over the breast size and shape.

Regardless of which implant one uses, New York City’s Madison Avenue Plastic Surgery doctors recommend that patients have an MRI scan every one to three years to ensure the implants are in good condition and do not need to be replaced. It is important to discuss one’s needs and outcomes with the surgeon before settling on either of these implants.

Breast Augmentation Surgery in NYC

Breast augmentation surgery can be summarized in four major steps: administering anesthesia, making incisions, inserting implants, and sealing the incisions.

Your surgeon will decide which form of sedation to use for the procedure. Both, local and general anesthesia, are common for breast augmentation procedures. Along with receiving anesthesia, you will also be attached to various monitors so your vital signs can be monitored during the surgery. The next step will be to carefully place incisions on the body in order to insert the implants. When it comes to incisions, they are of three types:

• Periareolar Incision: This is a semicircle-shaped incision made at the bottom of the areola (the darker region surrounding the nipples). As the areola is clearly much darker than the breast itself, the scar is well-hidden after the healing process. Moreover, this incision is also close to the breast pockets underneath the skin where the implants are placed. On the other hand, being so close to the nipples, it can cause difficulty in breastfeeding in the future for many women.
• Inframammary Incision: One big advantage of this incision is the fact that it can be easily hidden even if it is long. Because the incision is placed right under the breast, the bottom portion of the breast will be able to hide the scar after the surgery. Also, compared to the periareolar incision, inframammary does not pose any risks to nerve endings or milk ducts around the nipples for breastfeeding.
• Transaxillary Incision: With this incision, there will be no scar in the chest region at all. The incisions are placed on the armpits and the implants are then inserted and directed towards the breast pockets. One major disadvantage of this technique is that it gives much less control to the surgeon with regards to forming the correct shape and size of the breasts.

While all three of these methods work well, your doctor will be the best judge of which type of incision to use.

After the incisions are made, the implants will then be inserted. There are two areas where the implants can be placed. The first area is directly under the chest muscles. This placement is called submuscular placement. The other type is the submammary (or subglandular) placement where the implants are deposited on top of the chest muscles and under the breast tissue.

The last major step is to close the incisions. Usually, the surgeon will stitch close the incisions, but surgical tapes may also be applied. The whole procedure typically lasts about one to three hours and it is an outpatient procedure which means you can go home after the surgery.

Recovering from a Breast Augmentation

When it comes to recovery, just like other forms of surgery, breast augmentation is also largely dependent on several factors. The length of recovery period and the amount of discomfort you experience is affected by elements such as the location of the incision, the placement and size of the implants, your overall health, and whether you are a smoker or not. Following proper instructions from your doctor is very important in order to achieve a successful recovery.

What to expect during the recovery period:

• Bandages as well as compression garment will be applied over the surgery location. Drainage tubes may also be placed for the first few days.
• There will be swelling and bruises after the surgery, but they will subside within few weeks. You may also feel some pain in your chest area. However, this is completely normal and can be dealt with by taking common ibuprofen medicines.
• It’s advisable that you take off at least one week from work to give yourself proper healing time.
• For one week after the surgery, you will need bed rest and will also be required to refrain from many routine activities around the house. Strenuous activities like exercising should be avoided for about two months.

Ideal Candidates for Breast Augmentation

Generally, ideal candidates for breast augmentation are women who naturally have smaller breasts, have lost the proper shape/size of their breasts following a weight loss program, or those who have disproportionate breasts. In addition, ideal candidates should be in good health prior to the surgery, not be pregnant, have fully developed breasts, and have realistic expectations from the procedure.

Consulting with Madison Avenue Plastic Surgery in New York

It is important that you consult with an experienced surgeon to learn more about breast augmentation and what it will entail for you. The surgeons at New York Madison Avenue Plastic Surgery are available to offer their guidance and determine whether breast augmentation will be right for you. Set up your initial consultation today.