More volume, good shape and firmness. Breast implants can give you everything you need to have one of those necklines where you lose your looks. Female breasts are one of the strongest indicators of gender and make the body as a whole perceived as female.
Breast augmentation will allow you to face social life and enjoy intimate moments with more confidence than ever. It is one of the most requested procedures and the one that the highest index of satisfaction produces.
SALINOS OR SILICONE?
The outside of all breast implants is made of the same material, ie flexible silicone. This is the material that will be in permanent contact with your body in all cases. What is variable is the type of filling they have inside, which can be saline solution or cohesive silicone gel. Each filling has its own characteristics. Here is a brief summary of their respective advantages so that you can choose better.
What are the advantages of saline breast implants?
In case of rupture, the content of these implants is assimilated by the body and eliminated in a totally natural way. The loss of volume becomes apparent within hours and immediately indicates the need for a replacement.
Microfiltrations of filling liquid that may eventually occur through the outer covering will not produce capsular contracture because they will be metabolized and eliminated naturally by the organism. At present these leaks have been minimized thanks to the new coverings made with several superimposed layers
What are the advantages of silicone breast implants?
Cohesive means that it tends to stick together. This means that even if the coverage of a silicone implant were broken, its contents would not leak. It would remain like a thick mass without divisions.
They do not lose volume over time.
They do not make liquid noise during physical activities.
They have a very natural feel to the touch.
In the past the filling filtered through the micropores of the cover and caused capsular contractures. At present these leaks have been minimized thanks to their cohesive properties and to the new coatings made with several superimposed layers.
Since November 2006 its use for cosmetic purposes is permitted by the US FDA. In most countries of Europe, Asia and America have been used for years.
STRAINED OR TEXTURIZED?
Although the external surface of the breast implants is always made of flexible silicone, we can classify them in smooth and textured according to the characteristics that the surface presents.
Breast implants:
They do not have any roughness on their surface.
Its coverage is thinner and at the same time very resistant, since it does not present any irregularity that could give origin to a crack.
They remain freer inside their respective pockets, without being "locked" by the tissues of the body. This results in a more natural consistency and mobility that accompanies changes in body position during the various activities.
By not being incorporated to the tissues, they do not give problems in the infrequente case of being necessary a removal.
Being more "elusive" are less palpable.
They are easier to insert through the small incisions that the surgeon makes during the operation as they glide better.
Textured Breast Implants:
Between 45 and 90 minutes
What technique is used?
They have a rugged and rough outer surface
They were released to the market in an attempt to reduce the production of capsular contractures.
SURGERY
Anesthesia
Local with sedation, or general
How long does the surgery last?
Depending on the complexity of each case, it can last between 30 and 120 minutes.
What technique is used?
Among the possible incisions, there are two that are the most frequent. All of them are approximately 4 cm long:
Periareolar: In coincidence with the lower half of the contour of the areola (the dark area surrounding the nipples). Submammary: In the crease that forms below the breast, where it joins with the breast.
Depending on the characteristics of your body and the type of implant chosen, the surgeon determines which of the three incisions is most convenient for you. Through it, with special instruments, it forms an internal pocket in each breast that will serve to contain the implant. Then place the implants in each of the pockets taking the nipples as a reference for a correct location. Insert the drainage and suture tubes.
Importantly, implants will ALWAYS stay BEHIND the mammary gland, but there are two possible locations:
Behind the pectoral muscle: it requires a more complex technique and produces a slightly more painful postoperative, but the muscular wall prevents the round contours of the implant from being trapped through the skin, giving it a more natural appearance. It is the location that least interferes with the realization of future mammograms.
In front of the pectoralis muscle: It is the recommended location for women who practice intense exercises with their arms.
AFTER SURGERY
What is the length of hospital stay?
When the operation is done under local anesthesia, it is an outpatient procedure. When done with general anesthesia, it is necessary to spend half a day in the hospital.
What bandages will I have? How long?
To achieve a correct evolution, you must use a compression bandage over the area operated for approximately 24 hours. It is annoying, tight, but unfortunately it is necessary. You will also have a pair of drains, in the form of thin flexible tubes, to drive excess fluid from the wound to an airtight plastic bottle. These drains serve to prevent bruising, and are removed along with the bandages. During the next week you should wear a sports bra night and day, and then only at night for a month more.
Will it be painful?
Implants located in front of the pectoral muscle: the pain is usually low to moderate.
Implants located behind the temporalis muscle: the pain is usually moderate to high. In both cases, taking painkillers every 6 to 8 hours will help you
When are the points removed?
One week after surgery.
Do bruises and swelling occur?
Whatever the type or location of the implants, the recovery process may be faster on one side than on the other, and may produce temporary asymmetries. Inflammation peaks during the first three days, then decreases progressively over the next three to four weeks. It is usually longer and more durable in the implants located behind the muscle
How are scars hidden?
Depending on the technique used, there may be two different types of scars, both approximately 4 cma in length:
A) Periareolar: A curve that coincides with the lower edge of the areola. This scar evolves very well. It is camouflaged by the outline of the areola and with time becomes very difficult to perceive.
RECOVERY
You will need to rest in the hotel for 48 hours. You probably feel a burning sensation during the first few days, and discomfort when raising your arms, as if you had done an incredibly excessive amount of push-ups in the gym. From the fourth day on, you can begin to resume social life and work, if it does not require you to lift heavy objects. Your surgeon will tell you what type of bra you can use. At 30 days you can return to sports activities.
During the recovery period some people may experience depressions. This is normal after all surgery, however small. You might even think that you made a big mistake when you operated. Do not worry. Most people who are happy today and very satisfied with their results went through that depression.
WHAT RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS CAN I HAVE?
Any surgical procedure, however minimal, presents risks, and we must think of them as a possibility. However, in the hands of a qualified surgeon, it is unlikely that a breast augmentation with implants present complications.
Adverse reactions to anesthesia
Infections, very rare if you take the antibiotics due. In case of infection, the implant must be removed and can not be replaced before the infection is completely cured and the healing process is completed (plus or minus 4 months).
Asymmetries. Although the surgeon marks in detail the areas to be operated, asymmetries can occur in 1% of cases. Capsular contracture, caused by the excessive proliferation of the tissue around the implants. It is measured in three degrees of severity, and is the most frequent cause of pain, changes in shape, hardening, and even alterations of sensitivity. It often requires a surgical intervention to be corrected.
Keloid or hypertrophic scar can occur in approximately 3% of cases and is due to genetic traits of the patient.
Temporary change in nipple sensitivity. It can become less sensitive, more sensitive or simply have a different sensitivity. Almost never the change is permanent.
Puncture or rupture of implants due to blows or violent or excessive pressure, which forces a new surgery to replace the damaged implant. In saline implants, this causes a rapid and noticeable size reduction. Cohesive silicone gel, on the other hand, does not lose volume, since the gel does not migrate out of the pocket where the implant is contained. For this reason, it is advisable to periodically check the good condition of the implants, by means of an MRI of the area. The United States FDA recommends making the first control 5 years after implantation and the following with a frequency of between one and two years.
FINALLY, THE RESULT
The results of this procedure are definitive. Your new breasts will accompany you for many years without losing its attractive shape and firmness. You will quickly learn to choose new styles of clothing that will allow you to wear them as you like. While it is the procedure with the highest satisfaction rate in plastic surgery, it is good to know that it is reversible. If you do not get the result you expected, the implants can be completely removed or replaced by others of different sizes.