Breast Implants (Breast Augmentation)

Also known as augmentation mammaplasty or more commonly as breast enlargement, breast augmentation involves using implants to fulfill your desire for fuller breasts or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What can breast augmentation do?
• Is breast augmentation the right procedure for me?
• The consultation process.
• Different types of breast implants.
• What happens during breast augmentation surgery?
• Immediate results.
• Aftercare programme.
• How much do breast implants cost?

What can breast augmentation do?

During breast augmentation, a breast implant is placed inside a pocket formed in the breast tissue, this can help to increase or balance the size of the breast and restore breast volume.

What a breast augmentation won't do...

Breast augmentation does not correct severely drooping breasts. If you want your breasts to look fuller and to be lifted due to sagging then a breast lift in conjunction with breast augmentation might be a good option.
Breast lifting can often be done at the same time as your augmentation or may require a separate operation.
Our plastic surgeon can assist you in making this decision.

Is breast augmentation the right procedure for me?

Breast augmentation is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfil someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

Breast augmentation may be a good option for you if:

• You are physically healthy.
• You have realistic expectations.
• Your breasts are fully developed.
• You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small.
• You are dissatisfied with your breasts losing shape and volume after pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging.
• Your breasts vary in size or shape.
• One or both breasts failed to develop normally.

The consultation process.

During your initial consultation (which usually takes about an hour), your concerns, expectations and suitability for the procedure will be discussed, as well as all the procedural options available.

These options include:

Implant selection.

• Round or anatomical (tear drop) shaped implants.
• Cohesive silicone gel, soft touch cohesive silicone gel, or saline implants.
• Implants with a smooth or a textured surface.

Preferred incision site.

• In the crease under the breast (inframammary incision).
• Under the armpit (transaxillary incision).
• Around the nipple (periareolar incision).

Placement of the implant.

• Over the pectoral muscle.
• Under the pectoral muscle.
• Dual plane placement.

Your size and silhouette will play a major factor in selecting the size of your implants.
Our aim is not to give you the biggest implants possible but to keep your new breast size in proportion to your body so they will look natural.

Different types of breast implants.

Breast implants have many variation besides just their size or volume.
There are choices regarding the material they are filled with, the shape of the implants, the texture of the implants, and the profile of the implants. These choices are all important and are discussed in depth during your initial consultation.

Silicone or saline breast implants:

• Silicone implants are filled with a cohesive silicon gel. The gel feels and moves much like natural breast tissue.
• Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. They can be filled with varying amounts of saline which can affect the shape, firmness and feel of the breast.

Teardrop or round shaped implants:

• Round implants tend to provide the greatest amount of lift, fullness, and cleavage and can be a good choice for women who desire fullness in the upper poles of their breasts.
• Teardrop implants are meant to give the breasts a more gently sloping contour and are a good choice for women who want more naturally shaped teardrop breasts or do not require the extra lift that round implants can provide.

Smooth or textured implants:

• Smooth implants are used in the majority of breast augmentation surgeries today. A smooth breast implant is able to move freely in the breast pocket in which it is placed.
  Smooth implants usually have thinner shells than textured implants, which makes them the softer choice of the two.
• Textured breast implants have a rough outer surface in order to create cohesion between the implant and the surrounding tissue. This helps the implant maintain proper vertical alignment which is especially important with teardrop shaped implants.

Different types of breast implants pictured:

Teardrop textured implant.

Round textured implant.

Round smooth implant.

What happens during breast augmentation surgery?

Step 1 - Anaesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anaesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 - Making an incision

Incisions are made in inconspicuous areas to minimize visible scarring. Incisions can be made under the arm, around the nipple or in fold of the breasts. Our plastic surgeon will discuss with you which incision options are appropriate for your desired outcome. 

Incision options illustrated...

Transaxillary incision:

Periareolar incision:

Inframammary incision:

Step 3 - Inserting the breast implants

After the incision is made, a breast implant is inserted into a pocket either under the pectoral muscle (a submuscular placement), or directly behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle (a submammary/ subglandular placement).

The dual plane insertion method is also available as an option. The easiest way to describe it is that it is a combination of the two methods mentioned above and illustrated below, with the dual plane method the breast implant can be partially inserted under the pectoral muscle. 

Submuscular placement:

Submammary/subglandular placement:

The method for inserting and positioning implants depends on the type of implant, degree of enlargement desired, your body type, and our plastic surgeon's recommendations.

Step 5 - Closing the incisions

Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue and with sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the skin. Over time the incision lines will fade.

Immediate results.

The results of breast augmentation are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfilment of your goal for fuller breasts.

Aftercare programme.

At Aesthetica we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive aftercare programme with every breast enlargement procedure. This programme includes a series of post operative consultations in which we will monitor your progress and make sure everything is progressing as it should be.

How much do breast implants cost?

Every case is different and every patient has their own specific requirements and expectations, therefore it is hard to give an exact estimation but in most cases surgical fees plus the cost of the implants work out to be approximately $9500.
Theatre and anaesthetist fees are not included in the estimation above.
You are most welcome to book a no-obligation consultation where your requirements will be discussed and the total cost can be properly ascertained.

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