Lili Cordell
Breast enlargement is a popular procedure in our day and age. The procedure is fairly similar to other types of cosmetic surgery in respect to recovery time. The main difference, and perhaps the most important difference, is the number of risks involved and the difficulties that can arise during and after the procedure.
The Breast Augmentation and Enlargement Procedures
Typically, a patient undergoing breast augmentation will be generally anesthetized, meaning that they will be in an entirely unconscious state. The anesthesia may be administered through an IV or through a respirator.
To begin the surgery, a surgeon must make one incision on each breast. Certain locations are favored over others in respect to where the breast implant is placed. The four areas where incisions can be made are:
- The armpit, close to the edge of the breast
- Around the areola(nipple)
- The naval
- Inframmary (crease)
Each of these locations, except the naval, may be made for either type of implant, whether it is positioned under or over the pectoral muscle. The naval incision can only be made on the condition that the breast implant is positioned over the muscle. It is also the only incision where the optional procedure of a breast lift can be performed,
An implant of either silicone or saline is placed in each breast. Some fat may be extracted during the process, although it is not always necessary. Drainage tubes are sometimes inserted along with the implants to help reduce bruising and pain, but they may be removed within a week of the operation.
Once the implants have been inserted, the incisions are sealed with sutures that will dissolve or be absorbed by the body as the cuts heal.
The Risks Associated with Breast Enlargement
Many difficulties can arise after breast enhancement. A common myth is that breast augmentation causes breast cancer, but this has never been proven. Many specialists argue that the location of the breast implant is the primary reason that breast cancer goes unnoticed in patients who have gone through breast augmentation. They believe that an implant placed above the pectoral will conceal a tumor until it is too late.
The most common difficulties arising after breast augmentation are the following:
- Rippling
- Rupture of breast implants
- Displacement of implants
- Capsular Contracture
Rippling
When the silicone or saline within a breast implant gets shifted, little dimples or folds appear on the exterior of the breast. This is called rippling, and although it is not painful, it can be uncomfortable if the skin is not thick enough or if there is not much fat between the implant and the skin. This can be avoided if one receives the submuscular implant, where the implant is situated under the pectoral.
Rupture
The second most common complication occurs when the breast implant ruptures and begins to leak into the breast. It can be detected quickly with saline implants, easily fixed by replacing the implant. Silicone implants, on the other hand, are difficult to detect, because of the density of the solution. It is easily overlooked because it leaks slowly, sometimes into other parts of the body causing pain and damage. Women with silicone implants should be screened with an MRI frequently to avoid any harmful repercussions.
Displacement
Rarely will an implant shift to a new location other than the one that was intended. If it does shift, it is usually within days of the augmentation, and must be repaired with another surgery. The root cause of a displaced implant is the insertion of an implant that is too large; however, unorthodox procedures during a surgery have been the cause in some displacement cases.
Capsular Contracture
After the breast augmentation procedure takes place, scar tissue begins to form around the implant. This is natural, but this capsule of tissue can tighten around the implant causing the breast to be in pain and appear abnormal. If the capsule is allowed to tighten for a long period of time, it can only be corrected by surgery. Surgery can either remove the tissue or just break it apart and allow it to remain. Either way, pain will subside and breast shape will return to normal.
[page updated December 2008]