Breast augmentation mammoplasty uses breast implants to increase the size of a woman’s breasts. The surgery is generally administered for cosmetic purposes, whether to add volume, restore balance and symmetry, or alter the shape, according to the unique desires of the patient.
One of the factors in determining if you are a suitable candidate for breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery is by asking yourself about your motivations. The more honest you are in your response, the more certain you will be about whether you should go ahead with the surgery:
What are the reasons why I want my breasts enlarged? The answer is clear for some women and for other women, it can be somewhat challenging.
Reasons for having breast augmentation mammoplasty can include the following:
As you begin to understand more about breast augmentation mammoplasty and the options that are available to you, in particular during the consultation with Dr Quinn, you will start to examine the reasons why you want this surgery. When you become completely aware of the risks, benefits and costs involved with this particular procedure, and feel certain that you want to continue, your candidacy for surgery will rely upon your goals, health and expectations.
Breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery is an operation in which implants are used to increase the size of the breasts. The procedure generally aims to create a full, more rounded profile, but will not lift breasts if they have significant laxity.
An incision is placed in the skin fold beneath the breast or around the lower half of the nipple. Some women prefer to keep the incision well away from the breast so it may be placed in the armpit. The implants are then inserted.
The sizes of implants vary in size (150 ccs to 500 ccs), shape (round or tear drop), filling material (silicone gel or saline) and surface (smooth or textured). The implant may be placed directly behind the breast tissue or partly under the pectoral muscle of the chest wall. During your consultation, Dr Quinn will help you decide on a suitable technique in your particular case.
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic, and an overnight stay in hospital is often required as suction drains will usually be necessary for 24-hours. However, surgery in a Day Procedure Centre is available if preferred.
A support bra must be worn for two to three weeks after the operation. A return to work is usually possible after a week to ten days, however, strenuous exercise must be avoided for several weeks.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Find more information here. As with all surgical procedures, breast augmentation mammoplasty is associated with a number of risks. Patients should endeavour to educate themselves on these potential complications prior to undergoing surgery.
Potential general risks of surgery are:
Specific risks and complications associated with breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery include:
Breast augmentation mammoplasty will not fix breasts that have already started to lose elasticity. Nonetheless, a lot of women who want to alter the shape and size of their breasts also have a breast lift (mastopexy). During mastopexy surgery the nipples and breasts are lifted to a higher position. In breast augmentation mammoplasty, implants are positioned to increase the breast size. Combining the two surgeries can be a suitable option for some patients.
A large number of women have breast augmentation mammoplasty prior to having children. However, if an individual is actively trying to get pregnant or wants to become pregnant in a year or two following surgery, then you should postpone the surgery until after the pregnancy. You can discuss this further with Dr Quinn.
Before your breast augmentation mammoplasty, it is important that you understand that implants are not a permanent solution. In time the implants will need to be replaced or removed. There are some cases where implants have lasted for more than twenty years and are still in good shape, but these cases are the exceptions. Breast implants normally last about ten years.