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by Phillip Stone

Breast augmentation (also known as augmentation mammaplasty) is the use of breast implants to alter the size and shape of a woman’s breasts. Usually undertaken for cosmetic reasons, it is also used to reconstruct the breast, such as after a mastectomy or as part of male-to-female sex reassignment surgery. The most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States, it is generally performed on adult women who are unhappy with the size or shape of their breasts.

There are two main types of implants that may be used during breast augmentation surgery: saline filled and silicone gel filled. Silicone-filled implants usually feel more like real breasts, but they pose more of a health risk if they leak or rupture. Saline implants are safer, but may not be as realistic. Breast implants come in varying sizes and shapes. Your cosmetic surgeon will recommend a size that would be appropriate given your body size and goals.

The breast augmentation procedure takes about one to two hours, and is performed with general anesthesia. Incision sites vary; common locations include below the breast in the skin fold line, around the areola, in the armpit, or in the navel. The implant may be placed under or over the pectoralis major muscle.

Most breast augmentation patients resume their normal activities in about a week. Exercise and strenuous physical activity should be avoided for up to six weeks. During this recovery period, swelling or bruising is common. The scars from the incision site will slowly fade over time. The risks of breast augmentation surgery include bleeding, fluid collection, pain and scarring, interference with breast feeding, and visible asymmetry. In some cases, tightly-woven collagen fibers may form as an immune response around the breast implant, recognized by the body as a foreign object. This complication can be painful and may require the removal of the implants.

Though breast implants can remain in the body for decades, they are not meant to be permanent. Some may rupture prematurely, particularly due to chest trauma. Routine MRI scans may be recommended, especially when silicone implants are used, to check for “silent rupture” so that the implants may be removed or replaced. As the patient ages, revision surgeries are likely in order to change the shape or size of the breasts as the natural tissue ages or to replace the implant.

Interested in improving your appearance with plastic surgery? Cosmetic procedures such as breast enlargement can help you achieve your goal. Consult an experienced plastic surgeon to learn more about the benefits and risks associated with your treatment of choice.

Article Source: Breast Augmentation Surgery: Breast Implants Facts and Figures for Patients