Which Breast Augmentation Technique Should You Choose?
Author: Patricia Woloch

Once you have carefully weighed the potential benefits of breast augmentation, you should begin to consider available techniques. Which option is best for you?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation (or augmentation mammaplasty) was the most performed surgical cosmetic procedure in 2007. Approximately 347,500 women underwent breast augmentation; however, not all breast augmentation is the same. Plastic surgeons use various techniques when performing this relatively common procedure.
 
Types of Implants

Aside from determining size, choosing an implant is the biggest decision you and your plastic decision will make. Two primary types have existed since the 1960s: saline and silicone gel.

· Saline implants have a long history in the United States, and for many years they were the more common implant used. These implants are positioned in the breast before they are filled with saline; this means that the required incision is not very long. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has approved saline implants for women age 18 and over.

· Silicone gel implants are filled with elastic gel designed to mimic real breast tissue. The implants are filled before they are inserted into the breast, requiring slightly longer incisions than those required for saline implants. The FDA has approved silicone implants for women age 22 and over.

Types of Incisions

When planning for breast augmentation, you and your doctor will have to choose an incision. The goal is to minimize visible scarring as much as possible, but plastic surgeons consider a patient’s anatomy, type of implant, degree of enlargement, and personal preference when making recommendations.

The basic incision types are as follows:

· Inframammary incisions are made on the underside of the breast. This type of incision is slightly longer than other incisions and is often used on patients who have chosen silicone gel implants.

· Transaxillary incisions are made into the armpit area and may or may not be paired with another type of incision. Transaxillary incisions leave no visible scars on the breast.

· Periareolar incisions are made around the areola, or nipple area. Often, small incisions in this area heal with minimal scarring; women receiving saline implants or undergoing breast lifts (mastopexy) often opt for periareolar incisions.

Although each breast augmentation option has a high success rate, it is essential that you discuss options with your doctor before committing to a particular technique. Each woman’s needs and anatomy are different, and plastic surgeons best know how to make recommendations based on these and other factors.

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To learn more about breast augmentation techniquesin the Denver area, please visit the website of Dr. David Broadway today.