Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is one of the cosmetic surgeries a woman may undergo to increase her breast size. Plastic surgeon can rely on breast augmentation using implants / transplants filled with either saline or silicone directly behind the chest muscles or breast tissue. Most women prefer silicone implants because they can look closer to normal breasts, but the leakage from the implant may be the main risk.

Some women may have breast augmentation for reasons ranging from personality to other purposes, including:

• Improve the external appearance and raise the level of self-confidence, as it is possible to balance the size of the breasts if the size of one of them is different from the other or enlarge them if they are too small.
• Restoration of the breast area for those who have undergone breast cancer treatment.
• Avoid breasts shrinking after pregnancy.

After making the decision to undergo a breast augmentation, a series of tests are required to verify a patient's susceptibility to undergo such an operation. Tests often depend on the person's age, physical health in general and the type of operation whether it is laparoscopic or open. Here are some of the most important tests that may be necessary before starting the surgery:

• X-rays of the chest area to check the heart and lungs.
• Blood tests, if a patient is less than 30 years of age, a blood cell count is not necessary, whereas if she is over 30 or 40 years, a complete blood test (CBC) is performed.
• Urine test to check for infections in the urinary system or kidneys.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG), if the patient is over 40 years old.
• Pregnancy test; to make sure that the woman who will undergo breast augmentation is not pregnant.
• Screening mammography to check for any cancerous lumps or abnormalities in the breast.

Breast augmentation may involve the following risks and side-effects:

• Pain in the breast.
• Infection.
• Breast implants ruptures or its content leaked out.
• Change in the sense of breast and nipple.
• The presence of scars at the place of breast implants may distort the appearance.

Some conditions or symptoms can prevent the breast augmentation surgery, including:

• Hypertension, in some cases where the medication can control high blood pressure, the surgeon may approve to perform the surgery, but in cases where the patient does not respond to medication and still suffering high blood pressure, then the surgery is impossible; because of the high probability of bleeding and some other complications.
• A heart disease, so this type of surgeries requires the approval of the patient's cardiologist surgeon.
• Smokers: The surgeon often refuses to perform breast augmentation for smokers because of their high risk of complications during and after the surgery, as well as the inability to obtain satisfactory results often.
• Type 1 Diabetes, often depends on the severity of the disease, but it is not preferable to undergo breast augmentation surgery in this case.
• Mitral valve prolapse, which may increase the risk of developing valvar infection.
• A respiratory disorder.
• Anemia.
• Excessive drinking of alcohol.
• Infectious diseases such as hepatitis or AIDS.
• Obesity.
• Bleeding disorders.
• Sclerosis.

This surgery includes three main steps:

• Preparing the patient for the surgery:

The surgeon and the patient discusses the size of the implant that will be placed in the breast and the shape if round or teardrop, or smooth or granular, often the surgeon tries this by placing the implant in the patient's bra to reach the shape and composition best suited. Also, they discuss and determine the type of material that will form the implant (silicone or saline solution).

• During the surgery:

1. Anesthetize the patient (General anesthesia) or sometimes local anesthesia may be used.
2. Making an incision in the chest area, and the location of the opening may vary depending on what is agreed between the doctor and the patient, as it may be:

• In the bottom of the breast.
• Under the armpit next to the breast.
• Around the nipple.

1. Implantation in the breast may be placed below the breast muscles (may cause more pain) or may be placed above the breast muscles behind the breast tissue.
2. Closure of the incision with stitches or sutures fixed in the breast tissue.

• After the surgery:

After breast augmentation, the patient may feel some swelling at the site of incision, but it disappears within a few weeks, in addition to a feeling of pain that needs some painkillers. It is advisable to wear a sports bra or compression bandage to maintain the shape of the breast. If non-absorbable sutures or stitches are used, an appointment with your doctor will be necessary to remove them. Often the patient can leave the hospital on the day of the operation, in rare cases she may stay for one night to check on her health.

The patient may notice some scars at the site of the incision, often disappearing over time and eventually disappear. In cases where the woman notices redness and high breast temperature, she should see her doctor on suspicion of inflammation and therefore she may need to use antibiotics.

In the period following the breast augmentation surgery, it is advised to follow your doctor's instructions carefully for good results. In addition to the importance of wearing sports bras, it is advised not to do any activities that require strenuous body effort for about two weeks; to make sure that the stitches do not untie and the blood pressure do not rise, so the patient can go back to job if does not need physical effort.