›› Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation
surgery has become a common procedure for plastic surgeons. The
procedure has faced controversy and criticism, but a recent survey of
women who have had breast augmentations performed shows that
ninety-four percent would recommend the surgery to other women.
Implants have become socially acceptable over the years and the process
has become accessible to more women and it is safer than ever.
After a woman has decided to have augmentative surgery, she needs to do
some research. One thing to consider is whether to have the implants
placed above the pectoral muscle or below the muscle. Sub-glandular
placement is between the pectoral muscle and the mammary glands. The
sub-glandular placement is above the pectoral muscle.
The benefits of having sub-glandular implants include less recovery
time and easier surgery. The implants do not enter the pectoral muscle
and healing time is relatively quick. The muscle is not directly
connected to the implant, so the implants are not affected when the
pectoral muscle is flexed.
There are drawbacks
to sub-glandular breast augmentation. Capsular contracture is more
likely in sub-glandular breast implants than in implants that are set
in the muscle. Capsular contracture is the hardening of scar tissue in
the breasts due to surgery. The scar tissue may become inflamed. The
implants may interfere with mammograms. The implant is only covered by
skin and glands, so there is a good chance of rippling in the skin.
A woman can opt to have sub-pectoral placement in breast augmentation.
This placement is partially beneath the muscle. The top of the implant
is placed under the muscle and the bottom is not. This breast implant
placement is also known as retropectoral. Benefits to subpectoral
placements are that there is less chance of visible rippling of the
skin and there is a lower risk of capsular contracture.
One common problem with subpectoral implants is that they are less
likely to look natural. If the pectoral muscle is flexed, the implant
may be contracted into an unnatural form. There still may be visible
rippling at the bottom of the implant. Subpectoral implants also lack
support and more surgery may be necessary to lift the breasts after a
few years.
Another alternative
placement is fully submuscular. Breast augmentation that involves fully
submuscular implants involves the most invasive surgery. The benefits
of this placement are the same as subpectoral placement. In addition,
this placement has a very low risk of rippling in the skin and the
implants do not interfere with mammograms.
The major drawback to submuscular implants is that the implants do move
as the skin sags. This can create what is known as a double bubble. The
woman may appear to have two large bumps under her sagging breasts and
more surgery may be required to lift the sagging tissue.
Most plastic surgeons prefer subpectoral or fully submuscular placement
when performing breast augmentation surgery. However, each patient is
different and some may have physical characteristics that are best
suited to subglandular placement.
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A Healthy Dose of Good Advice
