Breast augmentation

Breast augmentation is the most common aesthetic procedure overall. Many women want a breast augmentation for a variety of reasons. Most often, patients want to correct hereditary small breasts. The tissue can also lose volume after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss. Further reasons for breast augmentation can be asymmetries and malformations. The aim with breast augmentation is to improve individual wellbeing.

No matter what reasons you have when seeking out breast augmentation, each procedure needs to take into account a patient’s specific desires, body and current breast shape. Together we can select the most suitable implant for you, the ideal incision and the plane of the implant pocket.

Common questions

• Who is suited to breast augmentation?
• What should be considered before a breast augmentation?
• How does breast augmentation with implants work? What techniques are there?
• What should be considered after the operation?
• What are the risks of breast augmentation?
• How important is the quality of the implants?
• What alternatives are there to breast augmentation with implants?
• What do you have to consider before and after the operation?

Who is suited to breast augmentation?

Any healthy woman who is unhappy with her breasts can have them enlarged with implants. Nevertheless, you must generally pay attention to a realistic overall picture of the body. Not every change desired by the patient should be made. Too-large implants in the breasts can also endanger the health of the patient. It is therefore the task of every responsible doctor to match the wishes of some patients to the realistic possibilities.

What should be considered before a breast augmentation?

In order to ensure the most successful operation possible, a few points should be considered before the surgery appointment. The healthier the body, the less risky the treatment. It is therefore advisable to ensure a healthy diet, especially before the operation, and to avoid large fluctuations in weight. We recommend no smoking 1 week before and 2 weeks after the operation.

Consultation

Of course, it is important to explain the possible risks and the entire procedure of the operation in advance. I am happy to advise you on all questions. As a long-standing breast plastic surgeon, your doctor understands your wishes and can show you the most suitable surgical options for your breast anatomy.

Together we will discuss which implant shape (round or teardrop-shaped), size and position suits you. We can also choose between soft, firmer or very stable implants.

How does breast augmentation with implants work? What techniques are there?

Breast augmentation requires an incision in order to insert the implant. Our most popular cutting techniques are the nipple-edge incision (periareolar incision) and the incision in the underbreast crease (inframmammary incision). Rarely do we perform an axillary incision or an incision across the nipple (transareolar incision). Each of these cutting techniques is well tried and leaves unobtrusive scars. Which of the methods is used in the individual case depends on the personal findings and woman’s wishes.

If the breast is empty after pregnancy, breast augmentation can be combined with a breast lift at the same time. Depending on the findings, a purely periareolar tightening (a circular incision exclusively around the nipple) or a classic tightening with a T- or I-shaped scar may be necessary.

In addition, the surgeon and the patient must decide whether the implant should be placed under or over the pectoral muscle. We use the “no-touch” and “minimal scar” technique where the implant is carefully placed with a funnel. This allows small incisions and protects the implant.

Breast augmentation with implants is performed under general anesthesia. The procedure is usually completed after about 1 hour, and the sutures can be removed after 2 weeks. To support the breast, a special compression bra with an additional breast belt should be worn for 6 weeks.

What should I watch out for after the operation?

After the outpatient procedure and sleeping in the recovery room, the patient can leave the clinic. Now the patient should definitely take some time off. For the recovery time, the patient receives a special supportive bra that should be worn day and night to support the operated breast. For ideal wound healing, sports and physical exercise should be avoided in the first few weeks.

Scar creams are helpful to soften the tissue. The desired shape is achieved after about 3 to 4 months. The scars will fade after 6–12 months.

What are the risks of breast augmentation?

As with any surgical procedure under general anesthesia, risks and side effects cannot be completely ruled out with breast augmentation with implants. However, the individual risk can be well assessed through preliminary examinations and individual consultations.

If the operation is performed by an experienced surgeon using high-quality products, the risk of complications is relatively small in a healthy person.

However, bleeding, infections or capsular contracture can occur. Occasionally, there are changes in the sensitivity of the chest, but this usually goes away after a few weeks.

How important is the quality of the implants?

Modern implants are very safe, even if the media often present this in a different light. The bursting or tearing of a high-quality product is an extremely rare complication. The latest generation of breast implants cannot leak thanks to a special mixture inside, even if the shell is damaged. The manufacturers now assume that the implants will last for a lifetime.

In order to ensure a safe and long-lasting result for my patients, I only use high-quality implants from Motiva, Mentor or Polytech.

What alternatives are there to breast augmentation with implants?

In some cases, there are alternatives to breast augmentation with implants. Lipofilling (autologous fat transplantation) can also be used to compensate for asymmetries or to enlarge the breast only slightly.

For this purpose, excess fat tissue that is not easily visible or is in the well-known “problem areas” of the abdomen, thighs or buttocks is removed (liposuction) and implanted in the appropriate place in the breast.

However, if an enlargement of more than one cup size is to be carried out, breast enlargement with implants or a combination of both procedures is recommended.

Further questions?

If you would like to learn more about breast augmentation options, please arrange a personal consultation in my practice in Cham. You can reach us by either phone or email. We will be happy to assist you!