Improve Your Feminine Look With Fuller Breasts

You can consider having breast implants if you are bothered by your small-sized breasts or if you had a mastectomy for cancer treatment. Breast augmentation or augmentation mammaplasty is the surgical cosmetic procedure used by aesthetic plastic surgeons to make women’s breasts appear fuller and bigger for cosmetic reasons. Augmentation mammaplasty is performed in a hospital or an accredited surgical facility under general anesthesia. This cosmetic procedure should be performed by a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Dr. Bloch is a Chicago board-certified breast augmentation surgeon with over 25 years experience. To arrange for a consultation with him you can call the office at 847-432-0840 or go to www.bodybybloch.com and fill out a consultation form.

What’s the difference between saline and silicone breast implants?

Saline and silicone breast implants both have an outer silicone shell. The implants differ in material and consistency, however.

Saline breast implants
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. They’re inserted empty, and then filled once they’re in place.

Saline breast implants are available to women 18 and older for breast augmentation and to women of any age for breast reconstruction.

Silicone breast implants
Silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel — a thick, sticky fluid that closely mimics the feel of human fat. Most women feel that silicone breast implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue.

Silicone breast implants are available to women 22 and older for breast augmentation and to women of any age for breast reconstruction.

What happens during augmentation mammaplasty?

Before the breast augmentation procedure, Dr. Bloch will give you general anesthesia to comfort and relax you through the surgery. Next, your surgeon will make a cut in your armpits, around your nipples or under your breasts creases either of these incision areas will remain inconspicuous after surgery. The types of incisions used depend on your body anatomy, the size of implant or type of implant. After making of incisions, the implants will then be positioned in a pocket made above or below your chest muscle.

Possible complications

Although it is a cosmetic procedure, breast implant surgery can have risks, such as:

• • Breast pain
  • Changes in sensation in the nipple and breast
  • Scar tissue forming and hardening in the area around the implant
  • Scarring
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Problems with the size or shape of the implants (for example, the breasts may not be symmetrical)

It is also possible for implants to rupture and leak. If a saline implant rupture, the saline will be safely absorbed by the body. A silicone leak may stay inside the implant shell or leak outside of the shell. When a saline implant ruptures, it will deflate. But silicone breast implants may cause no obvious symptoms when they rupture. This is called silent rupture.

What recovery should I expect with breast augmentation?

Breast pain and swelling is normal after breast augmentation. Your breasts will be dressed with gauze or bandages, and you will have temporary tiny drains inserted below your breasts to remove accumulating fluids. Dr. Bloch will recommend the use of pain medication, antibiotics, and cold compresses to minimize swelling. You will have to stay away from any strenuous activities for at least six weeks following surgery. Wearing a surgical bra will reduce swelling and help in the new breasts contouring process. Swelling will disappear after some weeks. Scars will also fade and flatten up but will not disappear completely. After about three months, you will have a new breast contour, and you will feel good about yourself.

Filed under: board-certified breast augmentation surgeon