Women's health: A-Z of breast augmentation

Breast Augmentation is a popular procedure in the west with many women opting for it. In India as well women are increasingly embracing this procedure to enhance their body shape and size.
However there is still a lack of credible and accurate information that is easily accessible, resulting in many misinformed myths on the subject. Dr Hari Menon, Consultant Cosmetic Surgeon, Lakeshore Hospital, Cochin, helps us understand this aesthetic procedure better.
What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure aimed at increasing the breast size along with improving the contours of the breasts for aesthetic reasons or to achieve better body proportion. Surgical breast augmentation is the only accepted method of acquiring fuller breasts on a long term basis. Women with smaller breasts or breasts that have lost volume or shape because of pregnancy and breastfeeding can opt for this procedure to get the body shape and size they desire. The procedure involves the surgeon making an incision to create a "pocket," or space under the breast tissues to place and position the breast implant.
What are the different types of implants?
Women can chose between saline or silicone implants, saline implants are filled with saline solution, usually at the time of surgery whereas silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel, a thick, sticky fluid that closely mimics the feel of human fat. Some women prefer silicone breast implants since they look and feel more like natural breast tissue.
Who is breast augmentation for?
Unlike the common notion breast augmentation is not only for celebrities and socialites. The procedure is used by several regular women with families and careers that have a desire to enhance their body shape or size for reasons unique to their needs. Many women with small breasts have benefitted from this procedure, even women that have lost shape or volume in their breasts due to pregnancy and breast feeding have returned to their pre-pregnancy body with the help of implants. Conditions like Poland’s syndrome and Breast Asymmetry Disorder that result in the left and right breast being noticeably different in shape or size can be rectified through breast augmentation.
Implants can be used for reconstructive purposes after mastectomy or breast removal at any age. Healthy women over 22 can opt for breast surgery using silicone gel implants while the approved age for saline implants stands at 18 years.
The safety aspect
Breast augmentation is a safe and effective procedure that has been used by millions of women across the world. The high satisfaction and successful results have inspired many women to opt for implants as a safe and permanent option to enhance their curves. Safety of the procedure can be ensured by using an experienced, skilled surgeon, a reliable healthcare facility and high quality implants. According to the US FDA, one of the primer organizations promoting public health, approved implants are safe to use as labeled. US FDA approved silicone breast implants are the safest implants available in India and have a proven safety record, women are advised to consult their cosmetic surgeon and chose the best quality implants for their body.
Myths vs facts on breast enlargement
Myth: Silicone breast implants cause breast cancer
Fact: After intense testing among surgeons and women silicone implants have passed the stringent approval process of the US FDA, according to which US FDA-approved silicone breast implants are safe and effective when used as labelled. So far there is no evidence to link implants to breast cancer or any other life threatening disease.
Myth: Breast enhancement surgery causes complications with breast feeding
Fact: Breast implants are placed in a plane behind the breast tissue between the chest muscles, this placement does not interfere with the breast tissue or the nipple area where the milk ducts are concentrated. Many women with implants have successfully breast fed their babies.
Myth: After pregnancy breasts with implants become too large
Fact: Just like women without implants women with implants will find their breasts becoming bigger during pregnancy, this process is natural and after pregnancy breasts return to their normal size. Pregnancy has no effect on the size or state of implants.
Myth: There is a loss of sensation in the breasts post breast augmentation=
Fact: The loss of sensation is a temporary change that women experience post the procedure. The feeling in the nipple area and breasts may decrease for a few weeks after the surgery however as the body becomes accustomed to the implants the sensation will return.
Myth: The breast is removed to accommodate an implant
Fact: Breast Augmentation involves the surgeon making an incision to create a "pocket" or space under the breast tissues, for the implant to be placed, it does not require the entire breast to be removed. Implants may be placed sub-glandular, which is between the chest muscle and the breast tissue, or sub-muscular, which is below the chest muscle.
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