If you were to walk down the street and ask ten men why they need plastic surgery, many would answer without hesitation: "To enlarge women's breasts." This logic is no accident: Human civilization, whether the ladies want it or not, is essentially patriarchal, that is, male-dominated almost everywhere.To them, breasts are the most attractive part of a woman's body.
Therefore, since ancient times, ladies have come up with various ways to make their breasts more prominent in order to impress stronger men.First it was clothes with deep necklines, then lingerie, which created beneficial optical effects.But all these are temporary measures, women want permanent or at least long-lasting measures.
Only with the development of plastic surgery can women truly dress according to their own wishes and meet the external beauty standards set by men.In 1889, what millions of beautiful women around the world have dreamed of happened - the invention of a method of artificial breast enlargement that came to be known as intrabreast prosthesis (from the Greek "endon" - "inside" and "prosthesis" - "to add, connect").
The first material used to enlarge female breasts was paraffin, which was originally called petroleum wax because it was made from this flammable liquid.In the first decades of the last century, aesthetic medicine experimented with many materials suitable for endoprostheses: ivory and glass beads, polyethylene and polyurethane, polyester foam, and others.All this leads to tragic consequences.
It was not until 1961 that two American plastic surgeons from Houston, Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow, created the first silicone implants and used them in surgery, achieving a real breakthrough in aesthetic medicine.But it was more than half a century before fifth-generation implants were invented in the mid-1990s.They are characterized by improved physical and chemical properties: they are denser and more reliable; the gel that fills them is very durable and therefore does not leak through the housing.
Operational stage
Because breast replacement is a fairly serious surgical procedure, it can only be performed under general anesthesia.During the entire operation, all vital indicators of the body are monitored through special monitors: blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, etc.
Before surgery, the surgeon marks the area with special markers and then makes the surgical approach based on the markings.Incisions are usually made to minimize postoperative scarring.The choice of surgical approach depends on many determining factors.Specifically, these are:
- The position of the breast on the chest wall (high, medium or low);
- Whether breast ptosis is present - and its degree (there are three types);
- Skin characteristics: thickness and elasticity, presence of stretch marks;
- Anatomical features of the pectoralis major, sternum, and ribs.
A pocket (bed) is then formed for the implant to be installed.It can be located below the pectoralis major muscle, below the breast gland, or a combination of options.The first method is more commonly used as it provides more stable results.
After the implant is installed, the wound is sutured.In order to achieve the best cosmetic results, intradermal cosmetic sutures are performed using modern absorbable suture materials or special medical glue.The patient is then put into a compression garment to prevent implant migration and increased tissue swelling after surgery.Hours after the surgery, the patient remained in the recovery ward and medical staff were monitoring her condition.
Generally speaking, breast replacement surgery takes 40 minutes to an hour and a half.Sometimes it takes longer, depending on the surgical technique used and many other factors.For example, a patient wishes to increase their breast size by several sizes at one time.Additionally, if you have previously had breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer or trauma, the surgery may be more difficult and take longer.
How to operate
There are four main surgical methods used around the world.
- Inframammary (below the breast glands).
This method only cuts the skin under the breast (inframammary fold) and if the fold is well-shaped, the incision will be subtle.In other cases, this visit does not provide adequate cosmetic results.Advantages of this method include that the breast tissue is virtually unaffected when used. - Around the areola.
With this approach, the incision is positioned along the inferior semicircle of the areola, at the border of the pigmented and unpigmented skin of the areola.As a result, after several months, postoperative scars are almost indistinguishable.In this case, the breast tissue separates in the lower part.This does not in any way hinder the possibility of future breastfeeding, and contrary to common misconceptions, it does not reduce post-operative nipple sensitivity. - Armpit (armpit).
This surgical method involves making an incision in the armpit area.This also does not affect breast tissue.This method is more reasonable when the initial size is very small and no inframammary fold is formed.It has limitations in other situations as well.To achieve axillary access, endoscopic video technology is required.It can make the surgery safer and less invasive, given the distance of the incision from the surgical area. - Through the umbilicus.
This is an uncommon technique.It involves the installation of an implant through an incision in the umbilical cord area.This way, the implant is simply installed filled with a saline solution.First, the implant shell is installed and then filled.Breast implants of this type are not actually used because, as experience shows, silicone implants allow one to achieve more stable results, taking into account all the nuances of a given case.
The final choice of implant installation method and surgical approach depends on the characteristics of each patient, and only a selective individual approach to each case can achieve the most aesthetic results.
Preparing for surgery
Before beginning surgical preparation, patients should learn from their plastic surgeon about all aspects of the planned surgery: implant type, manufacturer, availability and warranty period, shape, shell type, and filler.The most common in the world today are silicone implants with a textured shell and filler (silicone with shape memory).
There are different types of implant fillers.
- Silicone liquids with a consistency similar to vegetable oil;
- Standard silicone cohesive gel (cohesion is the bond between molecules of a substance that determines its strength) gel with a consistency reminiscent of jelly;
- Highly cohesive silicone with a jam-like consistency;
- Silicone “soft touch” (from English “soft touch”) – increases softness;
- Saline solution, the consistency of a bag filled with water;
- Soybean oil, similar in consistency to the first filler.
Each filler has its own advantages and disadvantages.For example, a high-cohesion gel holds its intended shape well and has a high level of projection, but feels denser to the touch.The saline solution makes the breasts feel as soft and natural as possible but does not ensure that they maintain their shape.Salt crystals that can pierce shells may begin to form 8-10 months after initial use.
In addition, there is a "coo-coo" effect, which is not suitable for all patients.
There is another way to enlarge your breasts without using foreign objects.This is where fat cells are introduced – lipofilling or fat modeling.Although similar experiments have been conducted since the second half of the twentieth century, the method was only proposed in 2004.However, in those years, fat implantation did not have a positive effect because it was quickly absorbed by the body.
Today, plastic surgeons have learned how to manipulate fat cells so that the effects of injections last longer.Still, after a year and a half, up to 60% of the transplanted tissue volume had been absorbed, necessitating a repeat surgery.Therefore, unlike silicone implants, lipofilling is a temporary measure.
Before undergoing breast augmentation surgery, patients need to undergo a comprehensive physical examination to ensure there are no medical contraindications and to minimize possible risks.It will include:
- Blood tests: clinical and biochemical, coagulation, group and Rh factor, HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C and B markers;
- General urinalysis.
Additionally, a mammogram or ultrasound, a chest X-ray or fluoroscopy, an electrocardiogram, and an ultrasound of the veins in the lower extremities are performed.Additionally, when consulting with a plastic surgeon, the patient must be informed of all existing medical conditions, previous surgeries, allergic reactions, and medications taken, including dietary supplements.
Also, you will need to stop smoking and drinking alcohol for at least two weeks before surgery, as the former has a negative impact on healing and the latter is incompatible with post-operative prophylactic antibiotics.
Additionally, every woman planning to undergo breast plastic surgery should know and consider that it is extremely inadvisable to plan a pregnancy within a year of surgery.In fact, changes in hormonal levels in the early postoperative period and at the beginning of the lactation process (breast milk formation) can affect breast implants in the most unpredictable ways.
Contraindications to intramammary revision surgery are:
- Pregnant;
- diabetes;
- severe endocrine and autoimmune diseases;
- coagulopathy;
- Breast disease (including lump formation) requiring observation by an oncologist;
- Exacerbation of existing chronic conditions;
- Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases that are contraindications to general anesthesia;
- Are younger than 18 years old;
- Less than six months after stopping breastfeeding.
recovery after surgery
Full recovery can take several months after breast replacement surgery.This period can be divided into several main stages.
For the first 3-4 days after surgery, patients may experience discomfort: a heaviness and popping sensation in the pectoralis major area.Symptoms can be relieved by taking analgesics prescribed by your primary care physician.On the fourth day, these symptoms usually disappear.
There may be swelling of the soft tissues in the surgical area.Sometimes it lasts for weeks and spreads to the abdominal area.These are normal symptoms and nothing to worry about.
Hand movement will be limited for 24-48 hours after surgery.
During the first week, you should not drive.During this time, it's best to keep your clothes as comfortable and easy to remove as possible.
You need to limit physical activity as much as possible.However, bed rest is not necessary at all.Avoiding nicotine and alcohol is also highly recommended.
You will be able to drive a week after surgery, but only if you do not take any pain medication, which can severely impair motor skills.It is important to consult with your surgeon before resuming driving.
If your job does not involve strenuous physical activity, you can return to work within a week.However, you still need to avoid lifting heavy objects (more than 4-5 kg) and avoid excessive physical activity.
One month after surgery, your doctor may allow you to resume light exercise.However, most surgeons do not yet recommend extensive upper body work during this period, especially movements involving the pectoralis major muscles.Light aerobic exercise can be done without running or swimming.Around this time, you will begin to see the results of your breast augmentation.The breasts will begin to return to their natural position and take on a more natural shape.But please note that this process may take several months.Four weeks after surgery, the compression garment is usually removed and you can begin wearing a non-wired or push-up bra.
A few months after surgery, you will be able to see if the results are what you expected.As for scars, they fade over time and blend into the surrounding skin.With proper care, they should become nearly invisible within a year.Two to three months after surgery, the breasts will become softer, gain the consistency of natural breast tissue, and then become softer and softer each month.After three months, you can begin more intense upper body exercises.
There are some other post-operative techniques you can use to speed recovery:
- Avoid taking medications that affect blood clotting;
- Moisturize your breasts regularly to avoid stretch marks;
- Resist the urge to remove the bandage and observe the progress - this may trigger infection;
- Give your implants time to "adapt": at first they will look unnatural, with too much filling in the upper pole, but gradually they will develop a natural teardrop shape;
- Be sure to get enough rest to speed up the recovery process;
- Avoid tight-fitting clothing, especially clothing that requires raising your arms;
- One month after surgery, you only need to sleep on your back!You cannot sleep on your side, let alone your stomach.For the first few days, it will be easier to fall asleep with your pillow high behind your back;
- If you experience severe pain, asymmetrical swelling, or a wet bandage, seek medical attention immediately;
- Don’t worry if your nipple sensitivity increases or decreases after surgery: this is normal;
- It may feel different on the left or right - this is not a sign of trouble and happens to almost everyone;
- Note that most women can breastfeed after surgery, but milk production may be slower.