BREAST AUGMENTATION
BREAST AUGMENTATION
Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed plastic surgery procedures in the world. This procedure is suitable for patients who desire an improvement in the size and shape of the breasts.
Most patients, who visit Dr. Perez for breast augmentation, belong to one of the following 3 groups:
- The largest group is made up of women in their 30s, many of whom have children. These patients have shown loss of skin tone and decreased breast size, especially in the upper half of the breasts.
- The second group are women in their 20s, who wish to increase the size of their breasts, in order to achieve a better balance and harmony of their bodies.
- Finally, the third group includes women who have asymmetries or deformities of their breasts.
DETAILS OF DR. PEREZ'S TECHNIQUE
In most patients the surgery is performed through a periareolar incision, around the lower half of the areola, since the posterior scar is practically imperceptible.
The Dual Plane technique is usually performed, in which the implant is placed, for the most part, behind the pectoralis major muscle. This technique has proven to be versatile and to achieve a very natural breast shape, as well as decreasing the possibility that the implants may become noticeable or palpable over time.
Finally, the wound is closed with absorbable stitches.
OUR EXCELLENT RESULTS
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and lasts approximately 1 hour.
Most patients have moderate swelling of the breasts during the first 7 days. This is important to keep in mind, since they look bigger than they will be afterwards.
With the technique used by Dr. Perez, there is usually no postoperative pain. Most patients report feeling pressure in the chest, which improves after 4 to 5 days.
Due to the inflammatory process, the breasts initially feel firmer and harder than normal, which usually disappears after 15 days.
- We recommend maintaining a semi-sitting position at 30 degrees, in order to facilitate a better drainage of the inflammation.
- Dr. Perez recommends placing cold packs over the breasts for the first 48 hours, in order to avoid further swelling.
- The permanent use of the post-surgical brassiere, both during the day and at night, is important.
- Strenuous physical activity must be avoided during the first 12 to 15 days.
Implants vary according to:
Texture: They can have a smooth or grooved surface. Choosing the texture depends on the surgeon’s criteria.
Shape: Implants can be round or anatomical, and their profile can be low, high or extra high. Likewise, the choice depends on the surgeon’s criteria.
Internal filling: There are 2 main groups, those of saline solution (rarely used these days) and those of cohesive gel, which have gained great popularity, due to their greater resistance and durability.
Implants are nowadays safer and more biocompatible, so it is to be expected that their durability is greater. However, there are factors inherent to each patient that can prolong or diminish this durability. Dr. Perez recommends a long-term individual follow-up of each patient, by performing an annual breast ultrasound and warning patients to seek advice if there are any striking changes in their breasts.
Whenever an implant is inserted in any part of the body, it usually triggers a physiological response, in which the organism produces a tissue that completely surrounds the implant, in order to isolate it and keep it under control. Due to several causes that are still under study, since said tissue can react in an exaggerated way, becoming thicker and fiber-like, which translates, according to the severity of the process, in breasts that feel harder.
There may be changes in the shape of the breasts and may additionally be painful, especially on palpation.
Fortunately, thanks to the development of new implants made of more biocompatible materials and more aseptic surgical techniques, the appearance of capsular contracture is nowadays less frequent.