Breast Augmentation

Mammary glands, breasts, boobs, and ‘the girls’ are commonly used terms to describe that one aspect of the female body that often defines femininity, sexuality, and self-esteem. There are multiple reasons that women might not be satisfied with the size and shape of their breasts leading them to get breast augmentation. Some are due to:

1. Previous removal as a result of breast cancer (mastectomy),
2. Sagging due to breastfeeding and aging,
3. Uneven sizes,
4. Too small compared to a preconceived norm,
5. Self-confidence clothed and unclothed,
6. Difficulty finding clothes that fit since most clothes use a ‘C’ cup to define typical or average, and
7. Weight loss.

The stigma associated with changing body parts to look better is gone. Newly divorced women buy themselves a ‘boob job’ while the men buy fancy sports’ cars. It’s all about feeling better about oneself, self-esteem is very important. Let’s face it, with online dating; the pressure to meet some minimal standard in appearance is keeping plastic surgeons swamped. No body part is exempt from achieving one’s best appearance.

Modern plastic surgery has perfected the boob job over the years as a result of new surgical techniques, newer implants,  that may allow an inserted implant feel more like real breast tissue. You would not believe the number of types of breast implants on the market today. Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgeries in the United States. Over 300,000 are done annually. NICE!

Saline breast implants produce a breast augmentation that is uniform in shape, firmness, and feel. Structured saline implants contain an inner structure that gives the breasts a more natural shape. Silicone breast implants are filled with a natural-feeling silicone gel that is described as the ‘Cadillac’ of breast implants by women and their plastic surgeons. Gummy bear implants are called that because even if the shell is broken the breast maintains its shape, but they are considerably firmer than silicone or saline. They require a longer incision and may rotate. Round breast implants are fuller than form-stable implants and give a higher projection. Smooth breast implants are the softest feeling and movements appear more normally but may have a ripple effect on the skin– for patients that have low body fat. Textured breast implants are useful in cases where a previous augmentation/implant has moved because the texture allows scar tissue to hold the implant in place.Textured implants are very useful in reconstructive cases.

There are four types of incisions for breast augmentation, and it depends on the consultation between the doctor and the patient, which leads to the selection of the implant used. They are periareolar (around the nipple), in the armpit, underneath the breast in its normal crease, and the TUBA, where the incision is at the umbilicus, ͞belly button͟, a tunnel is created with an endoscope to allow for breast augmentation visualization and even placement is more challenging, but there is no scar on the breast. Silicone breast implants cannot be placed this way. It is the least favored approach by plastic surgeons. True but what does she have to support this statement? A lot of TUBA doctors/patients may bristle. The implants can be placed under the chest wall muscle or directly under the breast tissue and on top of the muscle. There are pros and cons for both. For over the muscle, the boob jobs are slightly easier and considered less invasive, produce more cleavage, no distortion when muscles flex, but do tend to look less natural if the patient develops a capsular contracture (where the scar capsule around the breast contracts and the breast feels firm) and ripples may be seen through the skin if the patient has low body fat. Contractures (bands of scar tissue) and difficult mammograms are more common in over the muscle breast augmentations. Under the muscle boob jobs result in a more natural breast appearance, less risk for rippling, easier mammograms, and easier to do follow-up surgeries like breast lifts.