Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation involves making a small incision to insert a breast implant into the breast area in order to enlarge the breast. The surgery is commonly performed on an outpatient basis at a hospital or state-of-the-art surgical unit while the patient is under a general anesthesia. There are a few possible locations for the small incision that will be used for inserting the breast implant. The most frequent technique utilizes an incision made in the lower portion of the breast. Another technique, though less frequently used, involves making an incision in the armpit. Rarely, an incision around the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). The best technique will be decided together between the patient and the surgeon during the consultation.
During surgery, the breast tissue is raised to create an open pocket under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle (submuscular). Inserting an implant behind each breast can increase a woman’s breast size by one or more bra cup sizes. Silicone is the most common type of implant used in the US. Several sizes and shapes are available to meet patients’ needs. Saline implants are also available and are filled with salt water rather than silicone.
Breast Lift
The breast lift surgical procedure usually takes one and a half to three hours. Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-like incision along the underside of the breast. The incision goes around the area where skin will be removed, thus defining how the nipple will be relocated. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved into a higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is brought down and together to reshape the breast.
Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions. One such procedure is the “doughnut (or concentric) mastopexy” in which circular incisions are made around the areola and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is removed. Another is the vertical mastopexy involving an incision around the areola and a vertical incision down to the fold of the breast. Typically, patients with less sagginess are candidates for these techniques.
If the patient is having an implant inserted along with the breast lift, the implant will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue or under the muscle of the chest wall.
