Breast augmentation or enlargement
- This operation enhances or enlarges the breast. It remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgery operations.
- There are two types of patient who need this operation. First, those who have never developed breast tissue and second, those who had breast tissue before pregnancy and lost it after they had children. This operation does not tighten the breast or raise the nipple, it is to make the breast larger.
- If you have loose skin or the nipple is low you may need a mastopexy or breast tightening.
- Method: The principal is to create a pocket under the breast tissue and place an implant into that pocket. In some patients the surgeon places the implant under the pectoral muscle and in others under the gland of the breast. The operation is done under either local anesthetic (you are awake) or general anesthetic (you are asleep).
- Most of the time this is an outpatient operation and a stay in the hospital is not needed.
- Fat grafting to augment the breast is periodically explored but at this point many surgeons consider this still experimental and unsuitable for most patients.
- Problems: As with all operations, the main risks are swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, a scar and numbness or change in feeling.
- The main problems which are special for this operation are hardening of the capsule around the breast, leakage of the implant and changes in mammography.
- Postoperative care: The recovery takes one to two weeks. Most people are back to work within a week or two.