Tag: Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation – Not A New Idea

Breast augmentation isnt new. Its not even a twentieth century idea. Women have been trying to improve on nature for centuries. It was only a matter of time before women turned to science and medicine for aid.

In 1889, paraffin injections were tried. The results of this were disastrous. 1895 is the earliest known use of implants. The first one was done by the German surgeon, Vincenz Czerny. He used the adipose tissue (the fatty tissue) from the womans back. This benign growth or a lipoma, seemed appropriate because theyre comprised of fatty tissues, soft to the touch and moveable.

Between 1895 and the early to mid-1900s many other substances were tried. Glass balls, ox cartilage, ivory, Terylene wood, polyethylene chips, ground rubber, polyester, Silastic rubber and Teflon-silicone prostheses were some of the choices.

In 1945 and 1950 attempts were made to rotate the womans chest wall tissue into the breast to add volume. Different synthetics were used during the 1950s and 1960s. An estimated 50,000 women received injections of silicone. In some of these women, hardening of the breasts and development of silicone granulomas (small nodules) were so severe, mastectomies were needed for treatment. 30 years after these treatments, women are still seeking medical services from complications resulting from these injections.

Todays implants are much safer and the instances of complications have been greatly reduced. Hopefully, medical science will be able to keep up with womens attempts to improve on their natural gifts.

After Breast Augmentation Complications

Complications can occur after any surgery. Breast augmentation is no exception. Knowing what to expect before you undergo any surgical procedure can help relieve some stress and nervousness. It also helps prevent the shock and disappointment that may occur if post-surgical complications do arise.

Some complications that commonly arise immediately after breast implant surgery include post-operative bleeding (hematoma), fluid collection (seroma), and infection at the site of the surgical incision. Later complications may include chronic breast pain, alterations in breast and nipple sensitivity, and interference with breast feeding,

Feelings in the breast and nipple can change after the implant surgery has been completed. These changes may include increased sensitivity, chronic pain and lack of feeling in the breast or nipple for several months or even years following the implant surgery. Within the first few years, 2-8% of breast augmentation patients report experiencing chronic breast pain.

Another 1-2% report breast sensitivity changes, and 3-10% experience nipple complications like losing sensations within that area. These reports are generally the same for both silicone gel and saline implants.

But long term data does indicate that 17% of women experience after-surgery breast pain within five years of saline implants. This change in sensitivity is usually either temporary or permanent. It may also have an affect on sexual response and the ability to breast feed a baby.

Being aware of these and other possible complications will help you make an informed decision and may aid in long term satisfaction with your breast augmentation.

Who Wants Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a personal choice for many women. The primary reason is cosmetic. Increasing the size or shape of their breasts is the goal they hope to achieve with implant surgery. This is known as primary augmentation.

There is also revision-augmentation. This surgery is required to correct or improve the results of a prior breast augmentation surgery. Many women undergo the surgery numerous times, slowly achieving the end results they desire.

Replacement of breast tissue that was removed because of cancer, trauma or that failed to develop properly because of a severe breast abnormality, is considered primary reconstruction surgery. Corrections or revisions to this surgery are called revision-reconstruction surgery.

Breast augmentation patients are usually younger, healthier and from higher socio-economic status than the population norm. These women are also more often married with children.

Studies have shown a pattern in breast augmentation patients. This pattern is also shared by many other cosmetic surgery procedures. It suggests women who choose breast implantation are slightly more likely to have undergone psychotherapy, have lower self-esteem, and have higher tendencies toward depression, suicide attempts and mental illness than the general population.

Post-operative surveys on the issues of mental health and quality of life have reported improvement in a number of areas. These areas include health, appearance, self confidence, self esteem, social life and sexual function. Most women report long term satisfaction with their breast implants. Even in cases which have required additional operations due to complications or aesthetic reasons.

What Is Breast Augmentation?

Women have been trying to improve on what nature provided them for as long as men have noticed. The early methods consisted of padding inside the clothing. This only worked as long as the clothes remained on.

In 1895 the first implant was performed. The substances used for these early implants left much to be desired. It wasnt until 1961 that silicone implants were developed. The saline implants followed in 1964. There have been other substances developed, but none as common today as saline and silicone.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentations are the most common type of cosmetic surgery performed in America. 329,000 breast augmentations were done in 2006.

The breast augmentation surgery typically lasts one to two hours. The visits between patient and surgeon before the surgery are usually spent discussing the type of procedure which will be used. The differences are in the type of implant, the incision thats required and where it will be placed. Also discussed is where the placement of the actual implant will be made. These factors have an impact on the final appearance as well as possible complications.

Within a week of the surgery, normal work or school routines are able to be resumed by most implant patients. Of course this does somewhat depend on the level of activity these routines require. The incision scar from the surgery will probably last six weeks or longer. The scars should start fading within a few months.