Three Facts About Breast Augmentation

You may have noticed: People today are showing increasingly open and accepting attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. “Boob job” is now a phrase used in everyday speech. Though it is scientifically referred to as augmentation mammoplasty, the breast-focused procedure is often simply called breast augmentation surgery. Chicago’s Dr. Lawrence Iteld at Iteld Plastic Surgery explains to his patients that the procedure—no matter what they call it—is not only utilized for amplifying the size of the breasts, but also for changing their shape and proportions. Augmentation can also be employed when reconstructing breasts that have been disfigured as a result of a traumatic injury or cancer.

 

The Evolution of Breast Implants

Historically, a number of different fillings were used in augmentation procedures, with everything from paraffin to sponges to polyurethane considered for volume. The earliest generations of breast implants underwent multiple iterations until they developed into the devices used by modern plastic surgeons. Just more than half a century ago, in 1962, the first breast augmentation was performed with a silicone implant, followed by the introduction of saline implants just a few years later. In the ’70s, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began to regulate the use of silicone implants. By 2006, after a long series of studies, they were cleared for cosmetic use.

Types of Implants

Plastic surgeons who regularly perform breast augmentation surgeries recognize that each patient is unique, and so is the desired shape and size of their breasts. There are now estimated to be more than 1,250 available choices for implants—and more are expected in the coming years. While all of these devices have a silicone shell, there are various fillings of differing consistencies and properties that are now sold in the United States. Implants are either round or teardrop shaped (tapering from a narrow top down to a fuller bottom) and may be smooth or textured.

Silicone Breast Implants

It’s estimated that more than half of the devices used for breast enhancement in the United States are filled with silicone, a thick, gel-like substance that closely imitates the look and feel of breast tissue. So-called “Gummy Bear” implants are a more durable alternative to standard saline and silicone implants, named for their dense, semi-solid, silicone gel that retains its shape in a similar way to the colorful candies.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants are filled with a sterile salt water. In the event of a leak, the solution is not harmful and will be absorbed into the body, though changes to the size and shape of the implant itself will likely be visible.

What to Expect From the Procedure

The surgeon makes a small incision below the swell of the breast, around the border of the areola, or in the armpit, depending on a range of factors. Each implant is placed into a breast pocket above the chest muscle, below the chest muscle, or partially above and below. The wound is closed with adhesives, tapes, or sutures.

Breast implants are not lifetime devices, but are designed to be very durable, commonly lasting more than a decade. The risk of rupture or leaking is very low (less than 1 percent per year) for modern silicone and saline-based implants.

 

Other Types of Breast Surgery

·      Breast Lift: This procedure firms and raises the position of the breasts by removing excess skin while reshaping the tissue. It can also include changing the placement of the nipples.

·      Breast Reduction: In addition to the aesthetic benefit of decreasing the size of the breasts for women who feel self-conscious about their size, reductions also have a number of medical benefits. This procedure can help to relieve chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain, while making it easier for women to fit into clothes and engage in physical activity.

·      Breast Reconstruction: After a mastectomy (an operation to remove a breast as part of a cancer treatment), patients can rebuild the natural contours with autologous tissue or implants.

Dr. Lawrence Iteld is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The team at Iteld Plastic Surgery is committed not just to procedures, but also to patient education. To discover more about breast surgery, call 312.757.4505 or send a message online.