Breast Augmentation

Recent advances in breast implants and surgical techniques have made breast surgery more popular. Many sizes and shapes of breast implants are available, including silicone breast implants. When breast implants are inserted behind the breast tissue, this procedure is called breast augmentation surgery or breast enlargement. These procedures are often performed in combination with other body procedures, such as liposuction or tummy tuck. In some cases, plastic surgery procedures for the breast are performed to reshape the bustline of patients who have undergone weight loss surgery and have lost a massive amount of weight. The cost of breast augmentation should be discussed with a board-certified plastic surgeon before you make a decision to have breast implants surgery.

Breast Augmentation – The Procedure

Breast augmentation is a type of plastic surgery that is intended for women who choose to enhance/change the contour and shape of their breasts. Breast augmentation surgery is not designed for all women and can often be abused or misused. The volume and shape of breasts can often be lower than desired, having a negative impact on a woman's self-confidence. Small breasts, asymmetrical breasts, genetic breast traits, post-pregnancy breast sagging and aging can all lead to a woman's desire to surgically enhance/change the contour and shape of their bustlines. Breast augmentation surgery can provide these women with the balance and shape that they desire.

Breast Augmentation – Reconstructive Breast Surgery

Breast augmentation surgery can also be used for reconstructive purposes for women who have suffered from breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Oftentimes, breast cancer victims require the partial/total removal of a breast as a part of treatment. Under such circumstances, breast reconstruction surgery can help to restore the natural body contour that has been lost, helping some women overcome the mental aspect of a serious and debilitating disease and enhancing their self-image.

Candidates for Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation surgery is not for all women. Those wishing to undergo a type of breast augmentation procedure should be in relatively good health with a history of exercise and physical activity; such women tend to improve/maintain their appearance through an appropriate lifestyle as opposed to women who may take riskier and more drastic measures to affect their appearance.

Breast augmentation procedures provide an excellent means through which certain women can enhance their body shape and contour. Women desiring breast augmentation surgery because of a poor body shape caused as a result of poor diet and a general lack of exercise may not be good candidates for the procedure. Consultations between plastic surgeons and prospective patients are designed to determine whether or not said patient is a good candidate for a given cosmetic procedure such as breast augmentation. Breast augmentation surgeons emphasize that such a surgery is not intended to serve as a "quick fix" that drastically alters the body contour and shape; rather it is intended to enhance a figure.

Women interested in undergoing a breast augmentation surgical procedure are advised to contact a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast augmentation surgery to get more information about whether or not they are a good candidate. Also, ask the surgeon to view breast augmentation before and after pictures of previous patients. The surgeons may also be able to describe typical breast implants complications. To learn more about breast implants that are approved for use in breast augmentation, visit the FDA website.

Common Plastic Surgery Procedures

Breast augmentation surgery is a commonly performed type of plastic surgery. Some of the other common types of plastic surgery procedures include: rhinoplasty (nose surgery), suction lipectomy (liposuction), abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and face lift. To get information about these common procedures and more, consult an informational guide like the Breast Surgery Resources.

This webpage describes the plastic surgery procedure called breast augmentation, who are the best candidates and how to find a breast enhancement surgeon.