For
women with particularly small breasts, the breast
augmentation mammoplasty is a procedure designed to
enhance and improve the appearance of the breasts.
During the breast enhancement, the surgeon inserts
a breast implant with a silicone shell filled with
saline (salt water) behind the breast or behind the
muscle of the chest wall through a small incision.
By using various sizes of implants, the breast can
be increased as the patient desires. The texture of
the breast implant material is virtually indistinguishable
from normal breast tissue. The size of the implant,
however, is limited to the degree of stretch that
the existing breast skin can tolerate.
Often,
the candidates for this procedure are women who have
experienced breast shrinkage following pregnancies.
The procedure can restore fullness and reduce sagging.
Additionally, breast enhancement and breast augmentation
is often the treatment of choice for women who are
endowed with small breasts. As is the case with any
surgical procedure, there are risks associated with
a breast enlargement. Sometimes, the breast may become
somewhat more firm-a fact attributable to the tightening
of a capsule which forms around the implant. Asymmetry
may also be present-but only to a degree considered
to be within normal limits. Additionally, some patients
nose some loss of sensation in the nipple area.
The
breast augmentation mammoplasty is performed under
general anesthesia. The patients may usually return
to daily activities within one week following the
breast enhancement while avoiding strenuous activities
for three weeks.
