Breast Augmentation (breast implants)
It represents the most frequent plastic surgery in the United States and the second more frequent in México, and it is as well one of the more frequent surgeries we achieve; As its name indicates it consists in the breast enlargement through the insertion of silicon breast implants.
It is a very easy proceeding, that lasts approximately 1 hour, we do it on a hospital or clinic; does not require hospital stay, the surgery is outpatient or ambulatory. For this surgery it is convenient to announce some technical aspects related to the surgery like the incision area, placing area, kind of implant to be used and the volume of implant required for the patients’ desired volume. It is essential to know this aspects and discuss them with patient in the first medical consultation to take in mind for the surgery plan and achieve the desired final result.
The incision to place the implant is the first sport to know, and could be the
inframammary groove, in the areola or the armpit. In respect to the placement layout of the implant, there are only 2 options for practical means: under the muscle or over the muscle Talking about the mammary implants, is important to know 4 things about them: the type of wrap (textured or flat), what the implant is filled up with (cohesive silicone or saline solution), the implant’s shape (round or drop shape) and height and profile (low, moderated, moderated plus, high, extra high). The differences, advantages and disadvantages that these factors implicate are explained extensively in the first doctor’s visit.
To choose the size of the implant there are 3 common ways to say it:
1. By recommendation of a third party (patients normally say “my friend got a “x” breast volume and I liked them) in accordance to the desired cup size: depending on the height and back of the patient, the average volume necessary to increase one cup from 120-150 cc. A patient that wants to increase 2 cups, we multiple
2 x 150 cc = 300 c (300 cc would be the implant to use in my opinion this alternative is too empiric.
3. Algorithm based in measures (my favorite method and the one I always use) where we measure the patient’s breast base (in centimeters) and from there we take the measurement (in centimeters) of skin thickness and coverage that the implant will have through a gentle pinch: the resulting measurement will be the one of the IDEAL implant’s base for the patients complexion; tests are made with it, with extern meters and bra placing the tentative volume resulting from the measurements and that volume is adjusted in accordance to the patient’s opinion.
It is important too, considering that the mammary implants imply the placement
of an extraneous material into the body in a permanent way. What complications
can appear through the years: they are few and it includes implants breach,
capsule contracture, formation of seroma ( accumulation of liquids / serum between the space of implant and capsule); in accordance to what have occurred in the last years I have to mention a specific kind of lymphoma that develops in patients who create liquid in a chronic way, the anaplastic lymphoma of giant cells associated to breast implants (BIAALCL) with a very low impact and with a very high rate of healing.
Finally, an issue that has been studied recently and must be known, is the so called breast implant illness. This is explained in the first medical consultation.
Now, just to set some common aspects that we included in question and answer mode:
What are the mammary implants?
The mammary implants consists in a bag of silicon that could be full of saline
solution or cohesive silicon. There are flat mammary implants or textured, round or with drop shape and depending on its projection or height: low profile,
moderated, high and extra high. In the preoperative consultation we will guide
and help you to choose an option, always considering your expectations about
the surgery.
I have never had a baby, not even pregnant, can I take the breast surgery?
Yes, a well done surgery, does not interfere with breast feeding
¿Los implantes mamarios interfieren con la lactancia?
No. Si te has colocado implantes mamarios podrás lactar con normalidad.
What kind of anesthesia is used in the breast implant surgery?
Regional blocking or local anesthesia and sedation. The final decision will depend on the anesthesiologist. It is achieved in ambulatory way in a hospital or clinic.
It requires a valuation consulting or preoperative consulting?
Yes, and it is essential. There are no two equal patients, and every patient is unique in its measurements, shape, volume and expectations. 9 of each 10 patients know after their first consultation what implant is better for them, what esthetic diagnostic they have in their breast, where is going to be
placed (under the muscle or over it), the type of incision, if it exists a breast misalignment in shape or volume, etc.
Are implants related to breast cancer?
No. Mammary implants do not have relation with breast cancer and do not ovoid explorations or studies for its detection.
How much time does it takes and how is a breast surgery recovery?
Bandages and drains are not used, only a special bra for the patient’s protection and comfort. You will able to join your normal daily activities within 3 or 5 days. The final result will be visible in 4-6 weeks. Exercise after 8 weeks. The final recovery after 4-6 months.
Within what time after surgery will I be released?
Being the mammary implant a permanent material, the patients with mammary
implants will remain with open appointment as of 3 months. This means that they are not formally cited, but they are told to visit the doctor before any doubt in their evolution from the third month and in permanent way.
Is there is a study that must be done to monitor the evolution of my surgery?
Yes. It is advisable to conduct an ultrasound every year, that reveals the condition of the implants, the capsule and if there is liquid between implant and capsule. The study takes about 20 minutes.
