Breast Augmentation

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation or mamma augmentation involves the insertion of implants, usually made of silicone, into the female breasts. Breast augmentation is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery.

The breast, which has always been a symbol of femininity, plays an important role in a woman's self-perception. It can be a psychological burden for some women if they are dissatisfied with their breasts.

The goal of breast augmentation is to emphasize the natural beauty of a woman and to increase her self-confidence by maintaining natural body proportions. A good doctor should strictly reject unrealistic ideas about the expected size, as this can lead to complications and health problems.

What Are the Reasons for Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is mainly performed for aesthetic reasons. Usually, women seek a plastic surgeon if they feel their breasts are too small, or if the shape of the breasts has changed, e.g., after pregnancy. But, also malformations of the breast or a mastectomy are reasons for breast augmentation or breast reconstruction.

What Examinations Are Carried Out Before Breast Augmentation?

For the best results, the chosen doctor takes the time for a detailed consultation with the patient. In this review, the woman should be informed about the procedure and the possible surgical techniques, as well as inquired on her medical history.

A general physical examination by the surgeon is also required. Based on the condition of the breasts and skin, the doctor will then decide on the most suitable surgical procedure, which will be determined individually for each patient.

As the surgery is carried out under general anesthesia, a preoperative examination by the general practitioner is necessary, which should include a laboratory diagnosis and an electrocardiogram (ECG).

Depending on the patient’s age, an examination for breast disease may be necessary. This includes an ultrasound examination and mammography.

How is Breast Augmentation Carried Out?

Breast augmentation is carried out as an in-patient procedure under general anesthesia. The hospital stay after the surgery can last up to three days. Depending on the choice of the implant, different methods for breast augmentation are distinguished.

Breast Augmentation with Silicone Implants

When using silicone implants, three ways of the incision can be used. It can be carried out in the fold under the breast (inframammary), through the areola (transareolar) or in the armpit (transaxillary).

After the incision, the surgeon lifts the breast tissue, creating a pocket into which the implant is inserted. Two different procedures are possible. The implant can either be inserted under the pectoral muscle (submuscular). This procedure is particularly suitable for skinny women, as it reduces the palpability of the implant. Besides, this procedure makes further mammography easier. A second possibility is to place the implant under the mammary gland above the breast muscle (subglandular). This procedure corresponds to the natural breast. The disadvantage, however, is that the implant could be palpable in this way.

Breast Augmentation with Autologous Fat

Breast augmentation with autologous fat is well suited to compensate for asymmetries (when one breast is larger than the other) or for sagging breasts, e.g., after weight loss.

Click here for more information about breast augmentation with autologous fat.

What are the Risks of Breast Augmentation with Silicone?

Breast augmentation is a general aesthetic procedure with low surgical risk. Due to the medical and technical development of the procedure, patients nowadays enjoy optimal results. Modern implants are usually not palpable, and their consistency cannot be distinguished from the natural breast. After the surgery, the natural breast shape is retained, and the desired breast size is achieved.

As with any surgical procedure, breast augmentation is associated with a particular surgical risk, which should be clarified by the treating physician before the process. The most frequent complication after breast augmentation is capsular fibrosis. The implant is a foreign body for our organism. Like any foreign body, it is surrounded by a layer of connective tissue during the healing process. In some cases, this capsule can harden and lead to breast deformations and pain.

Breast Augmentation Aftercare: What Should be Taken Into Account After Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Immediately after the surgery, slight pain is expected, but this will subside after a few days. After the surgery, the patient will receive a pressure dressing. After a few days, this dressing will be replaced with a medical bra. During the first three weeks, this bra will be worn around the clock, after that only during the day. After about one month, the encapsulation of the implants is completed. To prevent capsular fibrosis, the breast can be massaged according to the doctor's instructions. It may take several months for the breast to regain its original consistency.

When Should a Silicone Implant Be Replaced?

The procedure provides permanent results that can last ten to fifteen years. After this time, it is recommended to replace the implants as their quality changes after this time, and the risk of tearing increases. The difference in breast shape, caused by the natural aging process and gravity, also makes it necessary to change implants after this period.

Which Doctors and Clinics Are Specialists for Breast Augmentation in Germany and Switzerland?

Patients should pay attention to the doctor’s specialist training. Since the term cosmetic surgeon is not protected, every doctor can use it. But, only specialists for plastic and aesthetic surgery have completed the 6-year training as "cosmetic surgeons." This is why they are the right people to contact for breast augmentation.

But also, specialists for gynecology and senology can carry out breast surgery professionally, as they are specialists for the female breast. A good indicator of a doctor's experience for a particular surgery is the number of surgeries carried out annually. Therefore, it is advisable to get a personal impression of the surgeon before breast augmentation.

We will help you find an expert for your needs. All listed doctors and clinics have been checked by us for their outstanding specialization for breast augmentation and are waiting for your request.

Sources:

• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ästhetisch-Plastische Chirurgie www.dgaepc.de
• Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum. Krebsinformationsdiensthttp://www.krebsinformationsdienst.de/aktuelles/2013/news73.php
• Hoshaw SJ, Klein PJ, Clark BD, Cook RR, Perkins LL. Breast implants and cancer: causation, delayed detection, and survival. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2001 May;107(6):1393-407.
• Henne-Bruns, Doris ; Dürig, Michael ; Kremer, Bernd ; Bruns, Doris Henne-: Chirurgie. 2.Aufl., Stuttgart: Thieme, 2003.