Breast Implants
Breast implants have an outer pliable envelope enclosing
saltwater liquid (saline) or silicone gel (cohesive gel). Saline is much like the fluid that
makes up 70% of the human body. If the implant should leak and
the saline is released, it can be safely absorbed by your body.
Silicone gel has a more natural consistency
and is less likely to rupture.
The Body's Reaction to Breast Implants
The body will form a fibrous tissue shell, made from collagen,
around the surface of the implant. This is called the capsule.
Capsule formation is a normal reaction to any implant. In some
women, the collagen capsule can contract, causing a condition
known as capsular contracture. This results in a firmer, harder
breast, which may cause discomfort, pain and deformity. In some
cases, some implants deflate or rupture in the first few months
after being implanted and some deflate after several years; yet
some seem to be intact 10 or more years after the surgery. It is
not known when deflation, in the case of the saline implants, is most likely to happen.
The Surgical Incision and Placement
Choices
Usually breast implants are surgically inserted utilizing one of
three traditional incisions: the inframammary incision, the
periareolar incision, or the transaxillary incision. All of
these incisions allow the implant to be placed either
submuscular (below one or more chest muscles) or subglandular
(between the chest muscles and your breast tissue).
We use a special Technique :
The mini-incision
This is a very small incision made in the skin fold below the
breast or in the nipple (areola), and the breast implant is inserted under
all the muscles through this tiny incision, using fine
instruments (endoscopes). The breast tissue is not disturbed,
and the short scar may be well concealed.
An additional option that patients with
ptotic or sagging breasts may elect to have during the breast
implant surgery is a mastopexy (breast lift). This procedure
involves making incisions around and below the nipple to lift it
upwards.
Recovery Period
During the first 24 to 48 hours after your surgery, you will
experience discomfort. Your breasts will be tender. Although
every woman's recovery time is different, you should be able to
resume many of your regular activities within one week. Should
any problems occur after surgery, contact us immediately. This
is especially important if your temperature is elevated, or one
of your breasts is noticeably more swollen, tender to touch,
painful, red or inflamed.
Potential Risks
There are inherent complications with breast augmentation as
there are with any surgery. These risks include: Deflation,
Infection, Hematoma, Delayed wound healing, Capsular
contracture, Shifting of the implant, Changes in feeling in the
nipple and breast, Making breast tumors harder to find on
X-Rays, Calcium deposits in the tissue around the implant,
Additional surgeries, etc...
