Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed procedures annually by members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Women may choose to undergo breast enlargement surgery for various reasons. These personal reasons could be focused around breasts that are perceived to be under developed or because of differences in the sizes of the breasts of from sudden changes after pregnancy or breast feeding. Some women may be happy with their breasts, but just want them made fuller. Often after weight loss, aging, or childbirth, a woman’s breast volume and shape may change. This too can lead a woman to seek a breast augmentation. Breast implant surgery, performed by cosmetic plastic surgeons, is the most popular way to improve breast shape and size. Breast enhancement, using breast implants, can give a woman more proportional shape and may improve self esteem.
Silicone is a primary component found in breast implants. Breast implants contain a silicone shell that contains a filler material, which provides the implant size and shape. The new and improved silicone gel implants have the same outer silicone shell within which is a new cohesive silicone gel. Unlike the old silicone implants, which were more like a liquid, the new cohesive gel implants act more like a solid than a liquid, holding together uniformly while still retaining the natural give and feel of natural breast tissue. This gelatin-like cohesive silicone gel is much less likely to leak, rupture, or tear, as compared to the older traditional silicone implants and the implant does not leak even when cut in half.
Saline implants have a silicone shell that is inflated to the desired size with sterile saline. There are two types of saline-filled implants. One type is a fixed volume implant which is filled with the entire volume of saline at implantation. Another type is an adjustable volume implant which is filled intraoperatively and had the potential for further postoperative
