Beautiful, elastic, toned breasts of an attractive shape - isn’t this what every woman dreams of?Plastic breast augmentation is often associated with huge size and unnatural appearance.In practice, very few patients seek such radical changes.The most common is the desire to enlarge the breasts by a couple of sizes - for example, from 1 to 3. Modern implants and surgical technologies make it possible to achieve the most natural appearance of the breasts, avoid complications and give women self-confidence.
Breast enlargement (augmentation) surgery is called augmentation mammoplasty.It is performed under general anesthesia using implants of different shapes and sizes.The advantage of breast augmentation in modern plastic surgery is the ability to achieve symmetry and correct all congenital defects.Including improving the appearance of the nipple-areolar complex.
Which implants are best to choose?
Implants vary in shape: anatomical and round.The former, due to their teardrop shape, create soft and natural breast contours.The mammary glands look very natural.Round implants give the breasts a visually larger size and make them appear raised (push-up).With them, the contour of the upper neckline becomes higher.
Breast implant profile types also vary: from low to extra high.The surface of silicone implants can be smooth or textured.
Your doctor will help you choose implants.Having extensive experience in mammoplasty, the surgeon will recommend several manufacturers and also explain which implant shape will look best in your case.
During the consultation, you will be able to try on models of implants - sizers, in order to imagine what the shape of the future breast shape will be.
Ways to enlarge the mammary glands
A plastic surgeon performs breast augmentation in different ways.They can be surgical or non-surgical.The first include:
- augmentation mammoplasty with round or anatomical implants: breast augmentation by several sizes;the result of the operation is saved forever;
- breast lipofilling: increase by 1-1.5 sizes using injections of purified autologous fat taken from “problem” areas;The result of lipofilling lasts forever if you avoid severe weight loss.
A cosmetic method for breast enlargement is injection of absorbable gels (fillers).This method is quite expensive: contour plastic surgery with fillers costs almost the same as mammoplasty surgery, and the effect lasts on average up to 2 years.
The shape of the glands can be corrected using a thread lift.The procedure will not increase breast size, but will give it a beautiful shape.
Advantages of mammoplasty:
- Beautiful breast proportions.During the consultation before breast augmentation surgery, the doctor will recommend the most suitable type of implant, the method of its installation (under the mammary gland or under the muscle), as well as access options (axillary, submammary, periareolar).Implants are always selected individually - the lines of leading manufacturers include hundreds of models differing in volume, shape and size.
- Modeling the result.Modeling or trying on sizers (models of prostheses that are used to select implants) allows you to assess in advance how well the effect of mammoplasty will meet your expectations.
- Implant warranty.Clinics provide a guarantee on implants that are installed in the breast. The safety of endoprostheses for breast enlargement has been confirmed by clinical studies: they do not affect the general condition of the body, are not dangerous in case of damage to the membrane (silicone gel with a dense structure does not penetrate the surrounding tissues), do not interfere with preventive examination of the mammary glands and do not limit the possibility of breastfeeding in the future.
- Breast augmentation by several sizes.If breast augmentation using your own adipose tissue (lipofilling) allows you to adjust the volume only within relatively small limits (1-1.5 sizes), then with the help of mammoplasty you can achieve an impressive effect in one operation.Having received the desired volume, you can be sure that it will not change over time.
- Safety and confidence in the result.The result of augmentation (breast enlargement) depends on the professionalism of the surgeon, so breast augmentation should be carried out in a specialized clinic, by doctors with extensive experience.
Methods of performing breast augmentation surgery
The implant can be placed:
- under the gland;
- under the muscle.
Installing implants under the gland shortens the rehabilitation period.Recovery is less painful.But this method is fraught with complications later.For example, sagging breasts may be more noticeable.Constrictive fibrosis, if present, may be more pronounced.For girls who have not given birth but plan to have children, implants are placed only under the muscle.
Possible accesses:
- submammary (incision under the breast);
- periareolar (incision around the nipple-areolar complex);
- axillary (incision on the side in the armpit area).
Submammary access– the most preferable method from the point of view of controlled recovery.It is used for breast surgery if the patient subsequently plans to give birth and breastfeed the baby.Even very large implants can be easily installed through this access.Postoperative scars will be hidden in the folds under the breasts.
Periareolar accessgood when breast lift and augmentation are performed simultaneously.This type of access allows you to change the shape of the nipple-areolar complex.If the areola is small, it will not be possible to install a large implant.Scars with the periareolar approach will follow the contour of the areola.Over time, they will become almost invisible to the naked eye.This type of access is not recommended for nulliparous girls, as the milk ducts may be damaged during the operation.
Axillary accessgood for installing small implants.But it is impossible to install anatomical implants like this, only round ones.The scars in this case will be located in the armpit area.
Photos before and after breast augmentation with implants are at the bottom of the page.
Types of breast enlargement implants
For breast enlargement, silicone implants of various volumes (1 size is equal to 120 ml) and shapes are used: round or teardrop-shaped (anatomical).
- The mammoplasty operation with the installation of round implants forms voluminous, raised breasts with regular rounded contours.In nature, this shape of the mammary glands (“apple”) is quite rare, so after breast augmentation, the breast may look less natural than with the installation of anatomical implants.But this type of implant is suitable for correcting mild ptosis of the mammary glands without additional lifting.
- Teardrop-shaped implants reproduce the most common shape of the mammary glands: they resemble a cone in appearance.With them, the breast acquires a fuller lower pole with a smooth descent to it, characteristic of a natural bust.Sometimes only the use of implants of different volumes allows the existing asymmetry to be corrected.
In various cases, your surgeon may recommend implants with a smooth or textured surface.
- Smooth round models are suitable for installation through the axillary (transaxillary) approach.
- Anatomically shaped models with a textured surface are often chosen for breast augmentation through an access under the mammary gland (submammary), which allows you to achieve a beautiful natural result.
Indications for breast augmentation
- unsatisfactory breast size;
- breast asymmetry;
- ptosis caused by breastfeeding/sudden weight loss;
- excess adipose tissue;
- excess glandular tissue;
- unsatisfactory nipple shape.
Plastic surgery using implants is indicated for reconstructive breast correction - after removal of tumors or a complete mastectomy.Thus, the operation is not only aesthetic in nature.It can also be performed for medical reasons.
Contraindications for mammoplasty of the mammary glands
- early age (up to 18);
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- problems with blood clotting;
- liver diseases;
- cardiovascular and endocrine diseases;
- diabetes mellitus;
- oncology;
- respiratory system diseases;
- infectious and viral diseases;
- mental disorders.
If the results of preoperative tests are unsatisfactory, the operation is postponed to a later time or cancelled.
Two weeks before surgery, you need to stop taking blood thinners and hormonal medications.
How is the breast augmentation procedure performed?
- The patient talks with the surgeon.Preoperative markings are applied.This is followed by a conversation with the anesthesiologist.
- The operation itself takes place under general anesthesia and lasts from 1.5 to 3 hours.The doctor makes small incisions under the breast / in the armpits / in the area around the nipple.Through an incision, the implant is placed under the gland or muscle.The position of the implant is discussed in advance during the consultation.
- Then drains are installed and sutures are applied.
- After recovery from anesthesia, the patient remains in the hospital for 24 hours after the operation, since patients need round-the-clock monitoring.
What examinations need to be completed before the test procedure?
If your doctor is planning cosmetic correction under local anesthesia, you will need to undergo several basic tests before the procedure:
- General clinical blood test (complete + platelets)
- Coagulogram (blood clotting time, bleeding time, INR, prothrombin index, fibrinogen, APTT)
- Biochemical blood test: ALT, AST, bilirubin, cholesterol, urea, creatinine
- Blood sugar (glucose) test
- Tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis
Blood group test (with Rh)
- ECG (electrocardiogram)
- Fluorography
- General urine test
- Examination by a mammologist, including breast ultrasound or mammography
- Therapist's conclusion on the possibility of surgery (for patients over 30 years old)
*Your doctor may order additional tests to more accurately predict the outcome and minimize the risk of complications during breast augmentation.
Rehabilitation period
After the operation, you remain in the hospital under the supervision of medical staff until the next morning.Sometimes you need to stay in the clinic for two days.Then you go home.In the first days, swelling, soreness, a slight increase in body temperature, and a feeling of “tension” are the norm.Swelling and pain usually go away within 10-14 days after surgery.After 2 weeks, the surgeon removes the stitches.Until this time, you must take medications prescribed by your doctor.In the first days after plastic surgery, you need to take antibiotics, which means alcoholic drinks are prohibited.Pain medication recommended by your surgeon will reduce pain after surgery.
After plastic surgery, it is necessary to eliminate the risk of allergic reactions.Therefore, it is not recommended to consume foods that cause allergies.The doctor will provide a list of them during the consultation.Allergies are dangerous due to increased swelling and, as a result, pain.
What should you not do during the recovery period?
- overexert yourself physically and emotionally;
- go to the sauna, swimming pool, gym;
- sunbathing;
- sleep on your side;
- raise your hands up;
- touch and rub the bust.
You need to wear compression garments for a month.For the next two months, it is better to wear non-wired sports bras.3 months after mammoplasty, you can update your linen wardrobe.
The doctor will prescribe an examination plan for you.It is important to follow it to avoid side effects.
Possible complications
If the doctor’s recommendations are not followed, the implant may shift and inflammatory processes may develop.For a controlled result, we leave drainage in place.This reduces the risks of postoperative complications.
In a later period, there is a risk of the formation of constrictive fibrosis - the formation of a dense capsule around the implant.Implant manufacturers indicate the possible percentage risk of capsular contracture.We work with implants with the least risk of connective tissue growth around them.
Sometimes the mammary glands do not completely cover the contours of the implant due to their small size.In this case, lipofilling can be performed to disguise the implant and give the breast a natural appearance.
Due to injury, the implant may rupture.If there is a rupture, an operation is performed to remove it and replace it with a new one.
When should you contact a surgeon?
- the breast becomes hard to the touch;
- the color of the skin in the implant area changes;
- a vascular network appears;
- the breast is deformed;
- pain occurs.
Patients often come to us after operations in other clinics with complaints of capsular contracture.Then repeated mammoplasty is performed with replacement of the implant and removal of fibrous tissue.
Constrictive fibrosis occurs more often when the implant is positioned under the gland.If it is under the muscle, small signs of fibrosis may not be noticeable and harmless.
If you want to find a place that does breast augmentation inexpensively, think twice about the fact that we are talking about your health - physical and mental.Take your time and make an informed decision.
Breast augmentation price
The price of breast augmentation varies from clinic to clinic.It is formed from a number of factors:
- surgeon's competence
- plastic method
- cost of implants
- volume of consumables
- duration of anesthesia
- length of hospital stay