BREAST AUGMENTATION
Breast augmentation surgery is an aesthetic procedure that uses silicone implants or fat injections to increase breast volume and correct deformities. This procedure gives the breasts a fuller, more symmetrical appearance that is in proportion to the body.
Treatment Process
Treatment may vary from person to person, but the general stages are as follows:
Operative Duration
2 - 5 hours
Hospitalization Duration
1 day
Return to Activities
7 - 10 days
Full Recovery Time
6 - 8 weeks
Breast Augmentation Methods
Small breasts may develop either due to insufficient breast tissue development or as a result of breast tissue atrophy (involution) after breastfeeding.Silicone Breast Augmentation
In the current approach, the safest and healthiest known method of breast augmentation is the use of ‘Silicone Breast Implants’. However, there are also methods of breast augmentation using fat injection or filler materials.What are the characteristics of silicone breast implants?
- The outer surface is made of a hard shell, while the inside is made of soft gel silicone.
- The outer shell of the implants is extremely pressure-resistant, capable of bearing a load of 40 kg per 1 cm². Therefore, considering the entire surface area, the outer shell of the implants can withstand 1-1.5 tonnes of pressure. On the other hand, this shell can be punctured by sharp objects. Inside the implants, there is a silicone that retains its shape and is therefore referred to as a memory gel. Consequently, even if the shell ruptures, the gel inside does not spread into the surrounding tissue and retains its shape. This feature of the implants allows us to use them for a lifetime.
- Silicone is a material that is highly compatible with the body. Therefore, it is not expected to cause an allergic reaction.
- The silicone in the implant does not pass into breast milk and has no known side effects on breast diseases (including cancer). Approximately 65 million women worldwide have breast implants. In studies conducted over the last 4 years, a soft tissue tumour called ALCL has been detected in an average of 300 patients. This tumour is found in the capsule surrounding the implant and is not invasive. When detected, removal of the capsule along with the tumour is considered sufficient treatment. It is thought that ALCL occurs due to damage caused by friction between implants with a textured surface and the tissue. The use of implants with this structure has been banned, and the use of implants with a smoother surface (microtextured) has been recommended. As a precaution, it is sufficient for patients to have a breast ultrasound once a year after surgery for follow-up.
- The presence of breast implants in women over 40 necessitates routine mammography.
- An important issue that we may encounter, albeit rarely, with silicone breast implants is ‘Capsular Contracture’. Capsular contracture is when the fibrous capsule that develops physiologically around the prosthesis over a certain period of time sometimes manifests itself as a severe reaction, tightly encasing the implant. It manifests in patients as pain, asymmetry, and rock-hard breast tissue. Early-stage capsular contractions usually respond to regular massage. In rare cases of severe capsular contracture, removal of the prosthesis may be necessary.
How Are Breast Implants Classified According to Their Shape?
Breast implants are manufactured in two shapes: ‘teardrop (anatomical)’ and ’round’. Round implants equally enlarge the top, bottom, right and left sides of the nipple. Round implants are still preferred in the vast majority of surgeries. Teardrop implants, on the other hand, fill the bottom, right, and left sides of the nipple while leaving the top of the nipple relatively empty. The asymmetrical structure of teardrop implants may cause the breast to rotate if the implant rotates inside. This situation can only be corrected through another surgical procedure. With technological advances, new generation breast implants have been developed. These implants contain a smart gel that moulds to gravity, mimicking normal breast tissue. This feature relieves many patients from the dilemma of choosing between round or teardrop implants.
How and where are breast implants placed in the body?
Breast implants can be inserted through the armpit, nipple, or inframammary fold. Currently, the most commonly used method is insertion via the inframammary approach. This incision allows for placement without causing any damage to the breast tissue or surrounding tissues. The scar remains hidden in the inframammary fold and is not visible. Surgeries performed via the inframammary incision have the shortest surgical operation time. Implants can be placed in different tissue layers during breast augmentation surgery. 1- Under the breast (subglandular) 2- Under the fascia (subfascial) 3- Under the muscle (submuscular) 4- Half muscle, half under the breast (dual plane) are the tissue planes used. Breast implants are used to supplement insufficient breast tissue. It is impossible to determine the most suitable tissue plane for the implant based on anatomy alone. Therefore, unless there are compelling factors (extreme thinness, desire for disproportionate breast size, additional factors), placement of the implant under the breast or the closest plane, under the muscle fascia, is the most ideal tissue plane. If there is no or very little breast tissue, the submuscular plane or dual plane may be used to conceal the edges of the implant. Submuscular placement is not recommended for patients with sufficient breast tissue.What are the characteristics of subcutaneous implants?
- This plan is used if there is no or very little breast tissue.
- It prevents the prosthesis from being felt externally and prevents an artificial appearance.
- As the implant is held by the muscle after surgery, the breast does not sag naturally for a long time. This results in an overly perky appearance. If the breasts sag over time, the implant remains in place and the breast tissue flows over the implant like a candle.
- Submuscular placement is not recommended for breasts with skin laxity.
Patient Reviews
Our most valuable reference is the feedback from our patients.
What are the characteristics of under-breast or subglandular implants?
- This is the most ideal method for patients with sufficient breast tissue
- The post-operative period is quite comfortable and painless.
- A natural appearance is achieved in a short time
- However, the edges of the implant may be felt with the fingers in the inframammary fold (rippling). Recently, the use of fully rounded implants with smooth edges has minimised this risk of rippling.
How is the size of the breast implant to be used determined?
There are two important factors in determining the type, size and height of the prosthesis to be used in surgery. The first is the patient’s body measurements and breast structure, and the second is the patient’s expectations. The base diameter and height of the prosthesis can be adjusted according to the patient’s body width and height. At this stage, the patient’s wishes are also taken into consideration.How is Breast Augmentation Surgery Performed?
Breast augmentation surgery takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour under general anaesthesia in an operating theatre setting. It is completely painless after surgery, especially in cases where the implants are placed over the muscle. In cases where the implants are placed under the muscle, pain is a significant complaint during the first 3 weeks after surgery. The patient only needs to stay in hospital for 1 night. They can return to their daily life at the end of the 3rd day. It may take an average of 8-10 weeks for the newly formed breasts to take shape and achieve a certain form. Initially firm and taut, the breasts need time to reach their ideal form due to the effects of gravity and tissue elasticity. It is important to note that weight loss of 8-10 per cent of body weight after surgery can cause the breast form to deteriorate and sag.Breast Fat Injection
Breast Augmentation with Fat Injection
Recently, breast augmentation procedures using fat injections into breast tissue have been performed. Fat injections into breast tissue are never equivalent to breast implants in terms of function. However;- Insufficient upper pole fullness despite adequate breast size,
- A slight difference in size between the breasts,
- The presence of deformities, among other situations, may be applicable.
Non-Surgical Breast Augmentation
We are aware that some hormonal drugs, herbal products and, most dangerously, certain fillers are being used as so-called non-surgical methods, exploiting people’s fear of surgery. Please remember that these methods can cause serious health problems and have led to a significant number of patients being harmed.Breast Augmentation Prices
The prices of these operations vary depending on the characteristics of the implants used and the technical methods employed.Chip Breast Prosthesis
New Generation Breast Implants
Advances in technology and efforts to develop solutions to existing problems have introduced us to many innovations. The new generation of breast implants differ significantly in terms of both the outer shell and the fluid gel that forms the filling material. The outer shells of these implants are manufactured using nanotechnology and, although they appear to have a smooth surface, they actually have a micro-textured surface. Recently, it has been suggested that ALCL (anaplastic large cell lymphoma) lesions isolated in the capsules of patients with breast prostheses may be directly linked to the migration of macro-textured implant surfaces into the capsule. Therefore, it is recommended to opt for micro-textured outer shells. Due to this feature, pathological conditions requiring implant removal, known as double capsular contracture, do not occur in new-generation implants. Furthermore, this outer shell does not deform in any way when subjected to trauma or bending. The second innovation in chip-enabled breast implants is that the gel inside fills 100% of the volume created by the outer shell. Furthermore, as this gel structure takes shape under gravity, it mimics natural breast tissue very well and relieves the patient of the obligation to choose between teardrop or round shapes.Do you have any questions?
Get in touch with us!
Ferko Line, Hamidiye, Cendere Cad. A Blok No:9 Kat:2 Daire:9, Kağıthane/İstanbul
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info@drtamersakrak.com
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