augmentation

Women seek breast enhancement to better balance their figure, increase the fullness and to build their self image and confidence. If you are dissatisfied with your breast size, augmentation surgery is a choice to consider. Also known as augmentation mammaplasty, the procedure involves using implants to fulfill your desire for fuller breasts or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy. Implants also may be used to reconstruct a breast after mastectomy or injury.

Procedure: Common incision locations include the breast crease, in the underarm, or around the areola (pigmented skin surrounding the nipple).

Placement of implants beneath the chest wall muscle or directly behind breast tissue using pre-filled implants or implants filled during surgery creates desired volume. Because breast augmentation is performed for aesthetic reasons, the incisions are made in locations designed to be as inconspicuous as possible after surgery.

Generally performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia with sedation; general anesthesia may be recommended.

Implants may need to be replaced. It's important to know that breast implants are not designed to last a lifetime. You should plan for an annual examination by your plastic surgeon to see if the implants need to be replaced.

Results: Although many factors are involved with determining your actual recovery time for breast augmentation, you will likely experience a post-surgical recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days. You will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks. Over time, post-surgical swelling will decrease and incision lines will fade.