Breast Augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty)

Breast augmentation or mammoplasty is typically performed to enlarge small breasts, under developed breasts, or breasts that have decreased in size after childbirth. It is accomplished by surgically inserting an implant behind each breast. Breast augmentation is typically accomplished with an incision under the breast or around the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple). A pocket is created for the implant either behind the breast tissue, or behind the muscle between the breast and the chest wall. Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia, on an outpatient basis.

It is important to understand that Dr. Arons – or any other plastic surgeon – cannot guarantee a specific size. Measurements of your chest will be obtained pre-operatively, which will help us determine the most appropriate size implant for you. Both saline and silicone implants are now available. It also must be clearly understood that breast implants are manmade objects, and therefore they can deteriorate over time.

Once implants are in place, it is almost guaranteed that you will require additional surgeries in the future either to remove them or replace them. Silicone breast implants were never definitively proven to cause any type of bodily disease, nor do breast implants increase your risk of breast cancer, although special mammogram techniques will be necessary. Both saline and silicone implants can leak, therefore, necessitating removal or replacement. Firm contractures can also occur around breast implants, since the body reacts to them as a foreign substance. Sometimes these so called “capsular contractures” can be a very difficult problem. There is no predicting who may experience them.

Following breast augmentation, you will usually wear a surgical bra, and you will require support for up to six weeks. Some swelling or discoloration will occur, but should disappear shortly after breast augmentation. Perfect symmetry of the breasts can never be guaranteed. In fact, perfect symmetry probably never exists even pre-operatively, and is therefore impossible to obtain. Vigorous activities may be restricted for up to six weeks.