A Guide to Breast Augmentation: The Procedure, Benefits, and Risks

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, has become one of the most commonly performed plastic surgical procedures. Breast augmentation involves the placement of silicone or saline breast implants beneath the chest or behind the breast tissue. The procedure enhances the size, shape, and fullness of breasts. Breast augmentation methods and technology have improved dramatically in recent years, allowing women to enjoy results that look and feel more natural.

Placement

There has been a great debate in the cosmetic surgery community regarding whether breast implants should be placed above or below the pectoralis muscle. When implants are placed above the pectoralis muscle and below the breast tissue it is known as subglandular placement. When implants are placed below the pectoralis muscle it is known as submuscular placement.

The benefits of submuscular placement include a decreased risk of capsular contracture and interference with mammography. The benefits of subglandular placement include less post-operative pain and recovery time. Furthermore, while submuscular breast augmentation requires a general anesthetic, subglandular breast augmentation can usually be performed with just a local anesthetic and intravenous sedation. However, doctors tend to prefer submuscular placement over subglandular placement because there is less risk of complications.

Incision

There are four incision sites used in breast augmentation surgery and they are under the breast, around the nipple, in the armpit, and in the naval area. The most common incision areas are below the breast and around the nipple where the areola meets with the skin. Talk with your plastic surgeon to determine which incision site will help you achieve the desired result with minimal scarring. Your surgeon will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each incision site with you.

The Benefits and Risks of Breast Augmentation

Prior to getting breast augmentation, it's important to weigh the benefits and risks of the procedure very carefully. Women who take them time to fully understand the procedure prior to making a decision are more likely to be satisfied with the end results.

The benefits of breast implants include improved body image, increased self-confidence, and the ability to repair breast damage after trauma or mastectomy. Complications of breast augmentation include chronic breast pain, infection, hardening, hematoma, and the need for addition surgery. The long-term risks of breast augmentation are still unknown for the most part. Thousands of women get breast implants each year and few suffer from any major complications. Nonetheless, it is still important to judge the benefits and the risks of the procedure prior to making the decision to get an operation.

by : Alissa. B
Source : www.goarticles.com