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Breast augmentation is a surgical
technique that has been around for
over a half century. However, over
the last couple of decades, breast
augmentation surgery has progressed
in terms of safety and effectiveness.
In this cosmetic surgical technique,
a patient is able to enhance the size
and shape of their breast tissue
through the implementation of breast
implants. Breast implants typically
utilize saline, a saltwater solution,
although some implants use silicone.
In this surgery, the breast implants
are added to increase the size of a
patient's breast tissue.
Additionally, plastic surgeons are
able to reshape a patient's breast
tissue so the patient is able to
obtain the look of their breasts that
they want.
Implant Insertion and Position
The method of inserting and
positioning your implant will depend
on your anatomy and your surgeon's
recommendation. The incision can be
made either in the crease where the
breast meets the chest, around the
areola (the dark skin surrounding the
nipple), or in the armpit. Every
effort will be made to assure that
the incision is placed so resulting
scars will be as inconspicuous as
possible.
-
Areola (Nipple) - The
nipple incision is currently one
of the most widely used
incisions. All implant types can
be placed over the muscle,
partial sub-muscular, or total
submuscular, or removed, via
this incision. One advantage of
this incision is that the
surgeon is working close to the
breast, versus farther away, as
with the transaxillary or TUBA
incisions.
-
Transaxillary (Underarm)
- This particular incision will
leave you without a scar on your
breast. The incision site is in
the armpit, in the natural
"folds" of skin, making it
well-hidden. Mine have healed
beautifully, and I'm very happy
with my decision to have the
transaxillary incision. Should
the scars not heal as nicely as
you expect, chances are, most
people won't associate scars in
the armpit area with breast
surgery of any kind. Most people
don't pay that much attention to
this area anyway.
-
Inframammary Fold (Crease)
- The crease incision is
probably the most common
incision currently used for
breast augmentation. Like the
nipple incision, this incision
site allows the implant to be
placed over, partially under, or
completely under the muscle, or
removed from these various
placements. It also allows the
plastic surgeon to work within
close proximity of the breast,
meaning more control over
placement of the implant. When
using this incision, the
implants do not pass through the
breast ducts, which are known to
harbor bacteria.
-
Trans-Umbilical (Belly
Button) - TUBA
(Trans-umbilical Breast
augmentation) is the newest
procedure available. Dr. Gerald
W. Johnson (of Houston, TX)
invented this procedure, and
first performed it in October of
1991. Unfortunately, there are
few surgeons employing this
technique, because the vast
majority of them are not
educated on how to perform it.
With this method, the implants
can be placed over the muscle,
or in the sub-muscular position.
Breast augmentation offers a unique
opportunity to scientifically
"customize" the shape of the breast
rather than just bra size. You may
want to wear an outfit that reveals
more c l e a v a g e , change your
wardrobe style, or simply create the
proper balance between your breasts
and hips. Generally, the larger you
want your cup size, the larger the
breast implant the surgeon will
consider (measured in cubic
centimeters, or cc’s).
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