BREAST AUGMENTATION

The most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States, breast augmentation can give women with small or unevenly sized breasts a fuller, firmer, better-proportioned look through the placement of implants in the breast.

Women may elect to undergo breast augmentation for many different medical and aesthetic motivations, including balancing breast size and compensating for reduced breast mass after pregnancy, or surgery. After surgery, the patient’s bustline may be increased by one or more cup sizes.

Ideal Breast Enlargement Candidates

Good candidates for breast implants are patients who are non-smokers, are in good health, and are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding. The best breast augmentation candidates have realistic expectations. Looking at breast augmentation before and after photos helps patients understand what their results may be like.

The procedure may be combined with others such as a breast lift for more satisfying results. When you get a breast lift and implants, this creates improved volume while reducing sag. This type of combination breast procedure is known as a breast augmentation with lift. Patients interested in a breast lift without implants can find out more during a consultation.

Breast Implants

During a consultation with Dr Dufresne, you will discuss the best breast implants for your specific case. Breast implants are silicone shells filled with either saline (salt water) or silicone gel.

Many patients choose to get Allergan gummy bear implants, which are a special type of form-stable silicone implant filled with highly cohesive gel. Gummy bear implants do not leak when ruptured. Instead, when ruptured, they retain their form, allowing the breasts to keep their shape.

Patients can choose low, moderate, or high profile breast implants. They can also choose between smooth and textured implants and between round and teardrop implants.

While some patients benefit most from large breast implants, many others prefer small breast implants that better fit their frame. The choice is highly personalized.

Details of the Procedure

The procedure lasts one to two hours and is typically performed with general anesthesia, although local anesthesia combined with a sedative is also possible.

Incisions are made in inconspicuous places on the breast to minimize scar visibility (in the armpit, in the crease on the underside of the breast, or around the areola, the dark skin around the nipple).

A pocket is then created in the breast tissues to house the implant. The saline implants are placed behind each breast, underneath either the breast tissue or the chest wall muscle.

Placement behind the chest wall muscle offers a few advantages over placement beneath the breast tissue only. These include reduced risk of capsular contracture (post-operative tightening around the implant) and less interference with mammogram examinations. Possible disadvantages include need for drainage tubes and elevated pain in the first few days following surgery.

After the saline implants are placed and centered beneath the nipples, incisions are stitched, taped and bandaged.

Breast Augmentation Recovery and Healing

In a few days after the surgery, bandages may be replaced with a surgical bra. Most patients feel tired and sore at the start of breast augmentation recovery, but this usually passes in a day or two and many patients return to work within the week.

Stitches are removed in a week to 10 days and any post-operative pain, swelling and sensitivity will diminish over the first few weeks. Scars will begin to fade in a few months and will continue to fade for months or years.

Complications following surgery are uncommon and usually minimal. They may include capsular contracture, swelling and pain, infection around the implant, a change in nipple sensation, milk production if you nursed a baby within a year before the procedure, and breakage or leakage of the implant as a result of injury or the normal compression and movement of your breast (if this happens the implant will simply deflate in a few hours and your body will absorb the salt water).