When we say breast augmentation, we mean the elimination of volume loss in breast tissue that occurs congenitally or acquired later. There are 2 different methods used for breast augmentation:

         Breast augmentation with implants

         Fat injection to the breast

Apart from these, the newly developed injectable implant method, which is a less invasive procedure but provides limited breast growth, has also come into use.

BREAST AUGMENTATION WITH IMPLANTS

         Breast implants (silicone prosthesis) have been used for many years and are substances with widely known positive and negative effects. When undergoing breast implant augmentation surgery, what our patients need to know is that your doctor will give you the most accurate information about what size prosthesis should be placed and where and with what type of incision the prosthesis will be placed. The patient's body structure, rib cage width, breast tissue structure, volume and skin structure are recorded during the examination and the breast prosthesis is selected accordingly and the operation is planned. For example, a prosthesis that is placed larger than necessary and too prominent may initially appeal to you, but over time it may cause deterioration in your breast tissue and the ribs below and may cause cracks in the skin. It should also be known that the net effect of the prosthesis is to enlarge the breast. Its effect on correcting pre-existing asymmetries in the breast and nipple is limited. In addition, breast augmentation surgery does not correct sagging in patients with excessive sagging. Additional procedures are required for this.

Will there be any scars after breast augmentation?

          Breast implants are placed in the breast with 4 different incisions. These are; incisions made from the submammary groove, around the nipple, in the armpit or from the navel. Silicone prostheses can be placed through the first three incisions mentioned above, only the prostheses containing physiological serum are placed empty with the incision made from the navel and then inflated. The incision made from the submammary groove is between 3-5 cm. depending on the size of the prosthesis to be placed. Regardless of the incision used, the remaining scar is expected to be invisible. In the incision made from the nipple, the scar is made between the dark area of ​​the nipple and the skin, it may be more visible and since some breast tissue will be passed through during the placement of the prosthesis, the milk ducts may be damaged to some extent. Although the incision in the armpit is not visible in normal posture, it may be visible when the arms are opened.

How long can breast implants stay in the body?

         The answer to this question right now is that there is no time limit as long as you are happy with it. It is beneficial for patients who have breast implants to have their check-ups done at regular intervals.

How many types of breast prostheses are there?

         Breast implants are divided according to the material they contain, their shape and their outer covering layers. The implants we generally use for breast augmentation surgery are implants that contain silicone in the form of cohesive gel. Cohesive gel implants are quite safe since they do not spread to the surrounding tissue even if the outer layer is cut. Prostheses are divided into 2 according to their shape; round and teardrop-shaped implants. Your doctor will explain to you during the examination which implant should be placed on which patient. In addition, our patients should definitely know which brand of implant will be placed before the surgery and should ask their doctors for the documents that also replace the warranty certificate of the prosthesis after the surgery.

Will there be pain after the surgery?

          Breast implants are placed under the breast tissue, under the muscle membrane or under the large pectoral muscle, which is the chest muscle. In patients with sufficient breast tissue, implants are usually placed under the breast tissue. In patients with insufficient breast tissue and skin thickness, placement is required under the muscle membrane or under the muscle. Pain is less in those placed under the breast tissue and under the muscle membrane than in those placed under the muscle. These pains are prevented with painkillers that are not very strong.

What about the post-operative recovery?

          You can be discharged the same day or the next day, usually no drain is placed and since we use completely absorbable stitches, there is no need for stitch removal. You can take a shower on the 2nd day, since special tapes are used, there is no need for a dressing. Heavy exercise should not be done for 1.5 months, daily activities are allowed.

What are the possible problems after breast implant augmentation?

        The most common long-term problem is capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is the physiological formation of the capsule around the prosthesis, causing shrinkage in the skin and surrounding tissues. This condition, which used to be seen at a frequency of up to 10-15%, is now seen much less frequently with the advances in silicone prosthesis technology and the care taken during surgery. In addition, problems such as blood accumulation and infection around the prosthesis can be seen as a result of not using a quality prosthesis and not paying attention to surgical techniques. Problems such as breast asymmetries, deformities, and differences in the height of the inframammary fold occur due to not choosing the appropriate prosthesis and surgical technique.
In addition, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning regarding the possibility of a possible association with a type of breast lymphoma (ALCL). The FDA reported that this is a rare condition. The FDA recommended that patients who have undergone breast augmentation with silicone breast implants perform breast self-examinations, routine mammograms, and have breast examinations with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at three years after implant surgery and every two years thereafter, and share the results with their doctors.

Will breast implants burst?

         Breast implants do not burst easily unless they are stuck with a sharp object, and even if such an event occurs, the gel inside the implant does not escape from the sheath and spread into the tissue since it has a cohesive structure. Prosthetics that remain in the body for many years should be evaluated for the risk of rupture after the 10th year.

Does breast augmentation surgery prevent breastfeeding?

         In breast augmentation surgeries, whether performed with fat injection or prosthesis, the material that will perform the augmentation is placed under the breast tissue, so it has nothing to do with breastfeeding and does not affect it. The only exception here is that an overly large prosthesis will cause weakening of the breast tissue and may reduce the amount of milk.

           Breast implants can be placed on anyone over the age of 18 who has completed breast development. It is one of the most frequently performed aesthetic surgeries in the world.

FAT INJECTION

         Fat injection to the breast is a procedure that is highly sought after by patients who do not want silicone prosthesis. First of all, since the augmentation is performed with the person's own fat tissue, it does not contain the risks that foreign substances such as silicone prosthesis may create. In addition, there is no scar after the fat injection procedure, which is seen after the placement of the breast prosthesis. There is much less pain after the fat injection operation compared to the prosthesis surgery. Another advantage is that it allows the removal of this fat tissue in patients with unwanted fat in the abdomen and leg area.
          There may be a loss of 30-50% of the injected fat within a few months, so patients who want an optimal result with fat injection should be aware that a second session may be required after at least 3 months.