A breast enlargement (or breast augmentation) is a form of cosmetic surgery that entails the implantation of prosthesis to increase the size and shape of a woman’s breasts. These breast enlargements are usually required to reconstruct the breast when genetic deformities come into play or following a mastectomy. In some cases, gender reassignment, specifically male-to-female, necessitates breast enlargements and/or construction. In any case, this procedure serves to enhance the woman’s appearance and raise her self-esteem.

Types of Implants

Four types of breast enlargements include:

Saline Implants: a silicone rubber shell filled with sterile saline

Silicone Gel: a silicone rubber shell filled with a sticky silicone gel. Cohesive gel is a variation on this type of implant.

String Implants: Polypropylene (PPP). This was dismissed by the FDA years ago due to complications brought on by post-operative growth.

Tissue-Engineered Implant: Artificially grown tissue cells combined with scaffold tissue. This is basically a regenerative tissue implant.

Techniques for Breast Enlargement

Breast Enlargement, regardless of the procedure used, requires a technique. Three breast enlargement techniques exist:

Sub-Glandular: Inserted between the Pectoralis Major and subcutaneous fat. This is the outermost-placing of the implant. Advantages: the implant will not shift from any contraction and the appearance is more natural. Disadvantages: outline of the implant is visible, rippling sensations are felt, and capsular contractures (the hardening of the breasts) occur.

Sub-Fascial: Inserted between the pectoralis Major and its covering fascia.

Sub-Muscular: Inserted behind the Pectoralis Major and against the ribcage. This is the innermost-placing of an implant. Advantages: Mammograms are more successful and the implant is not visible. Disadvantages: Implants move due to activity of the Pectoralis Major muscles, creating a bizarre appearance.

Risks of Breast Enlargements

Rupture: Implants break, causing their contents to leak. Saline implants deflate, but gel implants do not necessarily. Saline (salt water) can be reabsorbed into the surrounding tissue, but silicone cannot and can cause complications. Breast enlargements, then, can be heath risks.

Capsular Contracture: Capsules of collagen within the body attach themselves against the implant (since it is a foreign body) and squeeze, causing pain and awkwardness in appearance. Bacterial infection, rupture of the implant and its resulting leakage, and hematoma occur. Hardening of the breasts is also a result.

Hematoma/Seroma: Blood collects in a body cavity (hematoma), and the water from the blood collects around the implant or healing incision (seroma). This leads to either an infection, capsular contracture, or both.

Extrusion: Implant comes through the skin at the incision site due to weak tissue, causing scarring and/or the loss of breast tissue. This is alarming, but it is probably the least serious.

Necrosis: Dead tissue around the incision site hinders the healing process, causing permanent scarring.

Breast enlargements are sometimes necessary, but they should be approached with care and caution. When it comes to health and physique, individual needs are of primary consideration. Breast enlargements are no exception!

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