Breast Augmentation (implant)

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, or is a surgical procedure that aims to increase the size, shape, or fullness of the breast.

The surgeon places silicone, saline, or alternative composite breast implants under the chest muscles or breast tissue. Implants last from 7 to 12 years on average.

Why opt for breast augmentation?

• Enlarge breasts that are naturally small
• Restore breast size and shape after pregnancy, weight loss or breastfeeding
• Restore symmetry when the breasts are asymmetrical
• Restore the breast or breasts after surgery

What are breast implants?

A breast implant is a medical prosthesis that is placed inside the breast to augment, reconstruct, or create the physical form of the breast.

There are three main types of breast implants:

• Saline implants are filled with a sterile saline solution, like salt water. The solution is held within an elastomer silicone shell
• Silicone gel-filled implants consist of a silicone outer shell filled with a silicone gel. If a silicone-filled implant leaks, the gel will either stay in the shell or escape into the breast implant pocket. A leaking silicone-filled implant may or may not collapse.
• Alternative composite implants may be filled with polypropylene string, soy oil, or some other material.

What to expect

Breast augmentation is a type of surgery, so patients need to think carefully before opting for the procedure.

Before surgery, the surgeon should help the patient choose the size of the implant needed. This may be done by putting different sized implants into a bra, to see how they feel.