What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is an operation designed to augment or increase the cup size of women's breasts. It almost always involves placement of a silicone or saline implant, although augmentation using fat injections or transfer is now being performed by some surgeons. It is usually performed as an outpatient under general anesthesia but can be done under local anesthesia with sedation.

How should one prepare for breast augmentation surgery?

The best preparation for augmentation mammaplasty involves being in the best health possible. Smokers should attempt to cease smoking but this is not an absolute. Women who work outside the home and those with young children should necessary arrangements.

How is breast augmentation surgery performed?

Breast augmentation is performed by introducing a silicone or saline implant via an incision near the bottom of the breast or along the inferior half of the areola (some surgeons also use an axillary incision, but I prefer not to use this). Other choices which must be made include whether the implants are placed above or below the pectoralis or chest muscle.

What are the possible longer-term, local effects in breast augmentation surgery?

It often requires several weeks to obtain the final result you will see following augmentation. As with all surgery there is the possibility of problems. With augmentations, these include scarring, loss of nipple sensation, deflation of saline implants, interference with mammography, and implant displacement. The rate of problems seems to increase with very large sized implants.

How can I find a qualified board certified plastic surgeon?

The two principle national organizations allow only board certified plastic surgeons to be members. You may search their web sites for surgeons in your geographical area___American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.surgery.org) and American Society of Plastic Surgeons (www.plasticsurgery.org).

Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?

A good candidate for augmentations is a woman with realistic expectations and concerns who is in reasonably good health. Someone is seeking an augmentation to please their husband or boyfriend or is seeking to solve unrelated problems or concerns is, on the other hand, not a good candidate for this surgery.