Breast Augmentation: Facts and Facets

Purposes of Breast Augmentation

If statistics is to be followed, more than 30,000 breast implant surgeries are performed in UK every year. Breast implants are mainly used for two primary purposes:

Ø Breast reconstruction: Done on the patients after they have undergone mastectomy (removal of breast through surgery, generally used for treating breast cancer)

Ø  Cosmetic surgery: Done on the patients who want to enhance the appearance of their breasts.

Cost of Breast Augmentation

The breast augmentation cost varies from one clinic to another but it generally ranges between £3,500-5,000. However, any cost associated with consultations and follow-up care might be added.

Decisive factors concerning the surgery

Before undergoing a breast implantation surgery, one should consider both the potential health risks as well as financial costs associated with the surgery. One should have a thorough discussion with her cosmetic surgeon regarding the expectations, procedure and risks of the surgery. It is always a better idea to take enough time to decide whether to go for the surgery rather than rushing into it.

Breast Implant Types

Artificial prosthetic implants are mostly used as breast implants. There are mainly two types of breast implants. They include:

Ø Silicone implants like gel, liquid or solid (almost like plastic)

Ø Saline implants like sterile salt water

Silicone implants are preferred over saline implants by most people; however, both of the implants have their own pros and cons.

Breast implants generally stay for around 10 to 15 years, after which they are needed to be replaced.

    The Procedure

General anesthesia is administered to perform a breast augmentation surgery. It takes around 60 to 90 minutes for the surgery to get over. In course of the operation, the surgeon will make an incision in the skin. The patient will be made aware of the specific location where the incision will be done before the surgery.

Once the incision is done, the implant will be strategically positioned somewhere between the chest muscle and breast tissue or in some cases behind the chest muscle. It is followed by stitching and dressing of the incision. The patient can go home on the very day but most surgeons recommend the patient to stay for at least a night for thorough monitoring. Normal activities can resume within four to six weeks. The augmented breasts might look unnatural in the beginning but that is temporary.

Potential Risks

Every procedure comes with a few possible complications and so is breast augmentation. Some of the potential risks include:

Ø There are chances of bleeding and infection after the surgery.

Ø There can be visible scarring.

Ø The scar tissue might shrink around the implant (This is called capsular contracture).

Ø The implants might split or rupture in some rare occasions.

Ø The implants stand a chance of getting folded or creased.

Ø The nipples might undergo temporary or permanent sensational change.

Ø Further surgeries are often needed to cure various complications.