What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a modern plastic surgery procedure performed to change the volume and shape of women's breasts. This operation is preferred in cases such as insufficient development of breast tissue, asymmetry, changes after pregnancy or reconstruction after mastectomy. This procedure, which is performed with silicone prosthesis or breast fat transfer methods, aims to increase self-confidence by balancing the body proportions of the person. Today, thanks to advanced technology and expert surgeons, the operations are performed safely and provide natural-looking results.
Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation surgery is also known as breast implant, breast prosthesis or breast silicone. It is a surgical procedure to change the size and shape of the breast. The operation takes about 1-2 hours under general anesthesia. Depending on the patient's anatomy and preferences, the surgeon inserts silicone prostheses through incisions made in the inframammary fold, around the nipple or in the armpit.
Alternatively, the method of transferring the patient's own fat tissue can also be used. If the patient has sagging breasts, breast augmentation surgeries can be performed in the same session or in different sessions with breast lift.
Key features:
- Implants can be placed in supramuscular, submuscular, subfascial or dual planes
- Silicone options available in different sizes and shapes
- Incisions designed to leave minimal scarring are used
- Modern implants are suitable for MRI and mammography
- Hospitalization for 1 night after the operation
Breast augmentation surgeries can basically be performed in two ways:
Breast Implants
Breast implants have been used safely for more than 50 years. The most preferred method with predictable results and high satisfaction rates when the right choices are made is breast augmentation with silicone implants.
Choosing the appropriate prosthesis: One of the most important aspects of breast prosthesis is the selection of the appropriate prosthesis. There is no single type of breast prosthesis that can be claimed to be suitable for all patients. There are prostheses of various brands, models, volumes, shapes and surface features on the market. The physician decides which type of prosthesis is suitable for which type of patient. While making this decision, the physician also considers the needs and wishes of the patient. In addition, many variables such as the patient's general body structure, skin quality, rib cage width, shoulder and hip width, current volume of the breast, nipple and ring (nipple-areola) position should be taken into account. To facilitate this selection, trial prostheses of various sizes and models are available in the operating room. These prostheses are tried and the best choice is made.
Under or over the muscle? Another important aspect is the preparation of the area (package) where the prosthesis will be placed. Implants can be placed in supramuscular, submuscular, subfascial or dual planes. As with prosthesis selection, there is no one implant package that is best for all patients. The implant package is determined by the physician according to the patient's condition. Generally, in patients with a thin structure and small volume breasts, packages called submuscular or dual plan are suitable. The aim here is to prevent the prosthesis from being visible and palpable from the outside. The muscle tissue located under the breast, called the pectoral muscle, is used as a cover. However, this package is not in an anatomical plan and there is a more painful postoperative period due to muscle tension. In patients who have enough breast tissue to cover the prosthesis and who are not very weak and thin, it is generally appropriate to prepare an implant package over the muscle or under the muscle fascia. This package is anatomically suitable for breast augmentation as the implant is placed just below the breast. There is less pain after surgery. However, without proper patient selection, prostheses may look unnatural and the risk of capsular contracture is higher.
Breast Fat Transfer
In this method, unwanted stubborn fat in areas such as the abdomen, waist or hips of the patient is removed from the body by liposuction and prepared to be transferred to the breast. The required amount of fat is transferred under the muscle, above the muscle and under the skin. Although this method seems very logical at first glance, it has some problems. First of all, the person's body must have enough fat tissue for the transfer. Secondly, due to the fact that some of the transferred fat melts and is excreted from the body, the breasts, which are full at first, lose volume over time. In this respect, the final result is not as predictable as breast prosthesis. Most importantly, after the fat transferred to the breast heals, it appears radiologically as microcalcification foci. This radiologic appearance can be confused with the appearance of breast cancer, making breast cancer diagnosis and follow-up difficult.