What is Breast Enlargement?
Breast enlargement (also referred to as breast augmentation) is a surgical procedure to improve the size and/or shape of a person’s breasts. It involves inserting implants into “pockets” made behind the breasts.
What does the surgery involve?
The breast implants can be put in either through a cut (incision) made in the crease underneath the breast, around the lower edge of the nipple or in the armpit. The implants are then inserted through the incisions and positioned either in front of or behind the chest muscles. Once the implant has been adjusted to the right position, the incisions are closed with stitches.
Breast augmentation surgery is most commonly performed under a general anaesthetic and the procedure takes about an hour to perform.
You will feel stiff and sore for a few days but you should not feel any severe pain. You are likely to stay in hospital for one night, although on occasions, you may be able to go home the same day as your surgery.
What types of implants are there?
Breast implants are available in a variety of types and sizes. All implants are made of an outer casing of silicone but are filled with either a silicone gel or a salt solution called saline.
Your surgeon will discuss the options available to you so that you can come to a decision on which type of implant will be right for you.
What are the alternatives?
Breast implants alone cannot lift low or significantly sagging breasts. If there is too much sag, a breast lift (mastopexy) maybe needed. There are other ways to make your breasts look larger – like wearing a padded bra.
What are the risks and side effects of surgery?
Complications are infrequent and usually minor. However no surgery is without risk. The greatest risk with this sort of operation is that the breast may feel harder than normal, a complication known as capsular contraction.
Rarely implants can rotate or shift position after surgery and they can also weaken and rupture.
Sensation changes to the breast and nipple, such as numbness, reduced sensation or oversensitivity can occur. Occasionally, these changes can remain to some degree.
Red, raised and lumpy scars can occasionally occur and may take some months to improve. Implant rippling or wrinkling can occur.
Other risks include bleeding, wound infection, chest infection and blood clots in the leg known as a deep vein thrombosis although all these risks are uncommon.
You may feel that your implants look big for a month or two but as the swelling goes down, your new breasts will develop their desired shape and volume. The final result can be judged from about six months.
