Breast augmentation refers to the enlargement of the breasts using implants or the patient’s own fat tissue.
This procedure not only restores volume lost after weight loss or pregnancy but also creates rounder, shapelier, and more symmetrical breasts.
RESULTS THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED WITH BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY
It restores fullness and firmness to the breasts, corrects the imbalance between the chest circumference and hip contours, and improves the individual’s self-image and self-confidence.
A mastopexy (breast lift) is required for sagging breasts. It cannot restore severely sagging (ptotic) breasts to a fuller and more upright state.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR BREAST AUGMENTATION?
The decision-making process for breast augmentation surgery is highly personal. For this reason, it is important for the individual to be well-informed about the surgery and the process and to be fully committed to undergoing the procedure.
– At the time the decision to undergo surgery is made, the individual must be in good overall health, have reached adulthood when breast development is complete, and must not be pregnant or breastfeeding. Since breast tissue is never cut during breast augmentation surgery, the patient can breastfeed in the future if she chooses to. It is not necessary to remove the implants during breastfeeding.
– There should be a loss of volume in the breasts—resulting in a sagging appearance due to weight loss, aging, or pregnancy—or the individual should find their current breast volume insufficient.
– Asymmetrical, congenitally underdeveloped, or underdeveloped breast tissue can also be corrected with this surgery.
IMPLANT SELECTION
How do we determine the size of the implant?
The size of the implant used for breast augmentation surgery is determined by the individual’s body type and skin quality. Before the procedure, your plastic surgeon will determine your breast size and skin quality through measurements, take photographs, and recommend the implant that will look most natural and suitable for your body.
How do we decide on the shape of the implant?
In terms of shape, implants are available in round or teardrop shapes, with either smooth or textured surfaces. While round implants provide better fullness in the upper part of the breast, teardrop implants are more suited to the anatomy of the female breast and yield more natural-looking results.
Thanks to advancing technology, implants can be produced in varying degrees of softness; in addition to fluid-filled implants that mimic the natural structure, there are also extremely durable implants that retain their shape even when cut.
Implants come in a wide variety of designs and, due to their manufacturing characteristics, are extremely durable and do not require replacement, offering a lifetime of durability. However, it should be kept in mind that there may be clinical situations that require their replacement.
Implant Placement
Implant placement is primarily determined based on the patient’s skin thickness and quality. In patients with thin skin, submuscular and dual placement techniques are preferred to prevent the implants from being visible or palpable at the breast margins. However, in cases where there is sufficient skin thickness and/or where first-degree ptosis is present, subglandular implant placement will yield more natural-looking results.
PRE-OPERATIVE
During your pre-operative consultation with your surgeon:
– You should clearly and explicitly state your expectations regarding the results of this surgery.
– You should disclose whether there is a history of cancer in your family, your previous medical records, the findings of your most recent ultrasound or mammogram, and when these were last performed,
– You should report whether you have any other medical conditions and list the medications you are taking. Additionally, you must stop taking aspirin and pain relievers that increase bleeding at least two weeks before surgery, and you must stop taking herbal teas, ginseng, turmeric, garlic, and similar blood-thinning substances.
ABOUT THE SURGERY
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
The scar, hidden beneath the breast, will become extremely faint over time.
The surgery takes an average of 1.5 hours.
You may experience mild to moderate pain.
After a recovery period of one week to 10 days, the patient can return to work.
POST-OPERATIVE CARE
The bra worn during the early post-operative period supports the breast tissue, which is still swollen and edematous, thereby reducing pain and tightness.
You can take a shower on the second day after surgery, and since your sutures are absorbable, there is no need to have them removed.
After breast implant surgery, the patient should attend annual checkups and remain under follow-up care. This is important for monitoring both the shape of the breast, the integrity of the implant inside, and the overall condition of the breast.
