Breast Augmentation
(Breast Enlargement)
Breast Augmentation
Surgery to increase your breast size is known as breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, and requires the placement of silicone or saline breast implants under your breast tissue or chest muscles. Affordable breast augmentation can correct uneven breasts, enhance the appearance of those that feel that their breasts are too small or that one is larger than the other, improve self-confidence, and make adjustments for a change in the size of your breasts after pregnancy or weight gain or loss.
To complete your breast augmentation and insert your new breast implants, the surgeon will make a single incision in one of three places:
- Under your arms (axillary)
- The crease under your breasts (inframammary)
- Around your nipples (periareolar)
After making the incision, your breast augmentation surgeon will separate the breast tissue from your muscles and the connective tissue of your chest. This creates a pocket either in front of or behind the outermost muscle of the chest wall and the surgeon will insert the new implant into this pocket, centering it behind your nipple. Silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel while saline implants are inserted into the pocket empty, and then once they are in place they are filled with sterile salt water. After your breast implant is in place, the breast augmentation surgeon will close the incision, generally requiring just a few sutures/stitches, and will finish by bandaging your breast with surgical tape and skin adhesive.
Procedure:
The size and shape of the breasts are enhanced using silicone or saline implants.
Duration of procedure:
1 – 2 hours.
Anaesthesia:
General anaesthetic.
In/Out patient:
Usually out-patient.
Post-operative:
Temporary soreness, swelling and bruising; breast and nipple sensitivity.
Recovery:
Back to work: 3 – 4 days. Physical contact with breasts: 3 – 4 weeks. Fading of scars: several months to a year.
Results:
Aesthetically pleasing breast enhancement.
How long does the breast enlargement procedure take?
The actual surgery time takes about one hour.
Where does the surgery take place?
BB is in partnership with Alchimia Clinic, a world class, privately owned and beautiful facility with full accreditation.
It is situated in central Cape Town with free parking.
How is the procedure performed?
Breast augmentation has three different incision options depending on the size and shape of your breasts and the amount of enlargement required. One of which is in the fold of the breast (inframammary), the other is around the nipple, and the third is underneath the arm. The one best suited to your individual need will take into account your lifestyle, activity level and clothing preferences. In most cases the best suited incision is in the fold of the breast. This forms a scar line of about 4cm which will fade considerably and after time, become almost invisible. Different skin types have different healing reactions and scarring may be less or more pronounced depending on how quickly and effectively healing occurs in each individual body. The patient is under general/local anaesthetic and made to feel as comfortable as possible
What type of anaesthetic is used?
Local anaesthesia with sedation is an option but safe general anaesthesia is preferable. One of our highly professional and experienced team of anaesthetists will be on hand throughout the procedure to guarantee the safety and comfort of each individual patient. Patients are not required to stay overnight.
What is a surgical drain and is this required for the procedure?
TA surgical drain is a tube used to drain blood from the breast pocket in which, the implant is housed. If a drain is used in your case, it will be removed the next day.
What is the difference between inserting the implants under the muscle or over the muscle?
Before surgery an assessment is made depending on the shape of the breast and how much breast tissue is available. Generally, if there is a lot of breast tissue available the implants are made over the muscle (sub-glandular). If there is less breast tissue then an implant over the muscle may look unnatural and is best suited under the muscle (sub-muscular).
Does breast augmentation require an overnight stay?
Breast augmentation only requires the patient to be at the clinic for the day, an overnight stay is not required although arrangements should be made for someone to drive the patient home, as the anaesthetic will take some to wear off.
