Breast implant is a surgical procedure which enhances the volume and appearance of a well developed breast tissue. To know more about this procedure it is important to be well versed with the anatomy of breast.
Basic Anatomy
A well developed breast tissue is a characteristic feature of the female gender. It plays an important role in the reproductive functions of women. Breast tissue is composed of muscles, glands, ducts, supporting ligaments, fatty deposits and parenchyma. Development and growth of breast tissue begins around puberty in females. They grow in volume and develop a rounded appearance. A central dark portion known as nipple is surrounded by a small patch of dark skin known as areola.
Need for Breast Implant Surgery:
As mentioned earlier, breast implant surgery will increase the breast volume. It is also known as augmentation mammoplasty. There are a number of reasons why women opt for breast implantation surgery. They have been explained below:
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Cosmetic appearance:
This is the commonest reason why women undergo breast implant surgery. Some women may tend to feel that their breast tissue volume is less and may want to enhance it. This is a matter of personal opinion. They may opt for augmentation mammoplasty to enhance their own appearance.
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Restructuring of breast tissue:
Breasts undergo a lot of changes internally during pregnancy and after delivery. There could be changes in the size and shape of breasts after delivery. Breast implant surgery helps to align the tissue to its former shape and size.
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After breast disorders:
Breast cancer surgery can sometimes require surgical removal of a part or the whole breast. To reconstruct the organ, implants may be placed surgically around the breast tissue.
What is a breast implant?
A breast implant is a prosthesis which will be placed inside the breast around the breast tissue, or around the breast muscles. They are filled with different material and are available in different shapes and sizes. An appropriate type is chosen depending on the height, weight and age of the woman.
Types of Breast Implants
Following are the varieties of implants used in breast implant surgeries:
Depending on the implant material
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Silicone implants:
Silicone gel enclosed in a silicone capsule forms a silicone implant. The thick and sticky silicone gel is pre inserted into the capsule before it is implanted into the breasts. The gel closely resembles normal breast fat. Therefore it is known to feel closer to the normal breast structure.
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Saline implants:
Saline implants comprise of sterile salt water filled into a silicone capsule. As opposed to silicone gel, saline water is free flowing. It is inserted into the silicone capsule after the capsule has been fitted into the breast tissue. Saline implants have an advantage because water can flow freely and fill up empty spaces into the silicone gel faster.
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Form stable implants:
These are formed by introducing a slight variation in the silicone implants. The silicone gel is thicker. This ensures that the implant stays in place even if the capsule enclosing the silicone gel ruptures.
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Composite fillers:
These are prosthesis which will be used as breast implants. They make use of fillers such as various oils instead of silicone gel or saline water. They have however become obsolete now and are rarely used. There are some health risks associated with these filters, therefore their use has reduced.
Depending on the shape:
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Round implants:
They make the breast appearance fuller and more uniform. Since their edges are the same all over, it hardly makes a difference in the breast contour if they were to rotate internally.
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Tear drop implants:
As the name suggests, the shape of the implant is wider at the bottom and tapering towards the top. It relates more closely with the natural shape of breasts. They tend to cost more than the round implants. A risk factor associated with them is that if they were to rotate after being implanted, the shape of breast tissue could get altered.
Depending on external surface:
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Smooth implants:
They are soft textured and offer some mobility to the implant.
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Textured implants:
They adhere to the breast tissue by promoting scar tissue formation and do not allow scope of movement for the implant. They help to avoid contracture of scar tissue.
Pre-requisites of breast implant surgery:
Breast implant surgery is performed by plastic surgeons. Prior to the surgery, the patient will be thoroughly examined by the physician. patient has to gone through few tests like hemoglobin test, mammogram, pregnancy test etc. The necessity of surgery will be determined. Depending upon the cause and the patient’s general health, the type of breast implant will be decided. A few days prior to surgery, temporary implants are placed. These help in creating empty pockets within the breast tissue. Implants will later be inserted into these pockets.
Breast implant surgery procedure:
Breast implant surgery is done on out patient basis. This means that the patient does not have to be admitted to the hospital before and after surgery. Surgery can be performed under local as well as general anesthesia and lasts for about one hour to 90 minutes. But in most cases, general anesthesia is used.
The implants are inserted into the breast tissue via surgical incisions made in the axilla, below the breast or below the nipple. Silicone implants are filled with gel prior to surgery. If saline implants are being used, then silicone capsule is first inserted into the pockets and saline water is filled later very gradually. Sudden injection of saline water will cause it to accumulate into one particular area of the implant and not spread out evenly. This can disturb the breast contour.
Once the implant is inserted and fitted properly within the breast tissue, the surgical incision is sutured together with a medically designed thread. The surgical wound is dressed with soft cotton gauze and bandage. It takes some time for the effects of anesthesia to wear off. The patient is retained for medical observation for sometime. After a post-operative examination, she may be discharged to go home. However, there are some post surgery care instructions which the patient should follow to ensure complete recovery.
Post surgery care instructions:
Following are the post surgery care instructions for patients who have undergone a breast implant:
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Keeping the surgical wound dry and clean to prevent infection
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Avoiding excessive physical activity, so that the breasts do not become sore and painful
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Meeting with the doctor at regular intervals for follow up
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Women who undergo breast implant surgery following breast cancer, should continue follow up for their cancer treatment diligently
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Consuming pain relief medicines in case of excessive soreness of breasts
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Observing the breasts for redness and soreness. This should be reported to the doctor immediately as it could be a sign of infection.
Advantages of breast implant surgery:
After breast implant surgery, patients end up having well rounded and contoured breast tissue. It helps greatly to obtain symmetrical structure of both breasts. It also motivates the patient to have a more confident attitude and reduces self-consciousness greatly.
Risks associated with breast implant surgery:
Like every medical procedure, breast implant surgery also has some associated risk factors. They have been mentioned below:
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The implants may leak and the breast contour may get disturbed. This can be modified by a corrective surgery.
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Breast implants do not prevent breasts from sagging. Sagging of breasts is a natural process which occurs with advancing age.
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Scars which form after surgery may not heal properly. It may contract unevenly leading to a misshapen breast structure. It may need a corrective surgery
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Breast feeding may become difficult for women who have breast implants. They are advised to undergo counseling by a gynaecologist who can guide them.
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Mammography studies may not yield clear results in women having breast implants. The implants may hamper the interpretation of mammogram results.
Despite the disadvantages, breast implant surgery has a very successful outcome. Women who undergo the procedure experience more benefit from it than risks. Prior to undergoing the procedure, every woman should make herself acquainted with the details about breast implant surgery, its preparations and risks. This will prepare her for what she will be undergoing which makes things easy for her as well as the operating surgeon.