Breast augmentation is one of the most recurrent operations of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, with the objective of achieving the desired shape, size and position of the breast. Before undergoing the surgery, there are doubts about the procedure, safety and results, which should be answered by a specialist plastic surgeon. Below are the most frequent doubts about breast augmentation, which have been answered by the expert surgeon Dr. Jordi Mir Batlle.
Dr. Mir has more than 20 years of experience and is the director of his clinic, as well as an excellent professional career with positions of responsibility in the field of Plastic Surgery. In addition, he is a full member of the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery among other relevant medical societies in his specialty, and has collaborated with the charity organization Doctors Without Borders.
Frequently asked questions about breast augmentation
- Is it better to place the breast implant behind the muscle or in front?
After years of using various techniques for the placement of breast implants, currently the technique that obtains the best results is to place the implants behind the pectoralis major muscle, according to the dual plane technique. - Which prostheses are more convenient, round or pear-shaped?
The shape of the breast prosthesis is variable depending on the shape of the breast of each patient, as well as the desired results. - What is the difference between rough and smooth prostheses?
Rough prostheses are newer than smooth prostheses and cause less capsular contracture, but may cause more seroma. To improve this, there is now a new type of microtextured prosthesis consisting of a very fine roughness, to maintain a low rate of capsular contracture with minimal risk of seroma. - Should breast implants be changed from time to time?
The first line implants that are marketed today have a low rate of rupture and capsular contracture; however, the woman’s body changes: children, breastfeeding, hormonal changes with age, weight changes … and that makes the shape of the breast changes and the woman feels uncomfortable and wants to return to surgery to correct it. This is the first cause of implant replacement, and it is above 30%. - What is the probability that a prosthesis will break?
It is variable depending on the quality of the implant, and how it was placed at the time. The current probability is very low, 1-5% in first line implants. - What situations can cause the prosthesis to break?
If the prosthesis is not of good quality, or if there are irregularities in the costal wall (a rib with a very pronounced angle), if it has been placed in a not very smooth way, or severe trauma in an already worn implant. - After a breast implant, is it safe to breastfeed a baby?
After a breast augmentation yes, while after a mastopexy with implants you should not, because of the risk of mastitis. - Does breast augmentation also change the position of the breasts?
Usually yes, the implants are not usually placed symmetrically behind the areolas, but are placed more medially, to create an optical effect that the breast is closer together.