Augmentation mammoplasty is the most frequent surgical procedure in plastic-aesthetic surgery together with liposuction. The patient must have several interviews with the surgeon before going into the operating room, and thus be able to objectively assess the risks of an intervention that can be performed under general anesthesia, local anesthesia or sedation. We are talking about a surgical intervention that lasts about 2 hours.
Although there are two forms of implant: anatomical and round, breast augmentation can be performed through three types of incisions. The first, the submarine groove, is the most frequent incision, in which the scar is hidden by the prosthesis itself and does not affect lactation. It is used in young women with symmetrical breasts. The areola, on the other hand, which is performed in the lower half of the perimeter of the areola itself, is used in women who have had pregnancies and have a somewhat sagging breast. The axillary fold, finally, is the most concealed incision except if the arms are raised. It does not affect lactation and is indicated for young women.
Motivations and risks of augmentation mammoplasty
A mixture of physical and psychological factors are the ones that push women to have an augmentation with breast prostheses. This helps to improve the woman’s self-esteem, gain confidence and security.
Complications in a breast augmentation are rare, although as in any surgery may exist. The most common are the hematoma or bleeding, infection, scars or wrinkles in the skin. Implant rupture is a real risk, especially in older prostheses, whose rupture can be frequent after 10 or 15 years. However, with high cohesive gel prostheses this risk does not exist. Implant rotation or capsular contracture are other contraindications.
Maintenance after surgery
The woman who undergoes an augmentation mammoplasty must be clear that breast prostheses are artificial devices with capacity for deterioration and rupture, which may require explantation or replacement and therefore require long-term monitoring to avoid such situations.