| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
Causes of small breasts :
The size of breasts is genetically determined. Once developed, the breasts may fluctuate in size in response to changes in weight, pregnancy or breast feeding. The ageing process causes the shape of the breast to change so that they gradually droop (called ptosis). This effect is greater following pregnancy, breast feeding and in particular after a large weight loss. Most women have two breasts of a slightly different size, but occasionally a very marked difference may develop. |
| |
|
| |
More Information |
| |
The Operation
Breasts can be made larger by placing an implant either under the breast tissue or behind the muscle on which the breast rests. Implants are usually inserted through incisions in the infra mammary fold. A breast implant is made of an outer layer of silicon and filled with silicone gel. Some implants are round and others are shaped more like a natural breast. Either can give excellent results. The manufacturer's life expectancy of breast implants is 10 or more years, although implants can stay in without problems for a much longer time. |
| |
|
| |
Risks and Limitations |
| |
What are the risks?
Leakage of silicone can occur either as a slow seepage or as a result of rupture of the implant. The silicone is almost always contained within the fibrous capsule which the body forms around the implant. Silicone leakage has never conclusively been linked to serious health problems.
The capsule which the body normally forms around the implant can become thickened and contracted. The newer designs of implants have features to reduce the likelihood of this happening. This occurs to some extent in around 10% of patients and usually starts six or more months after surgery. This can lead to pain, and/or an abnormally hard feel to the implant in the breast. Treatment may be needed and occasionally the implant will have to be removed.
Breast augmentation does not usually interfere in breast feeding and there is no evidence that any silicone is found in breast milk. The presence of breast implants does interfere in mammography, which is an X-ray screening method for breast cancer. Special X-ray views can be taken to minimise this interference. |
| |
|
| |
Care & Aftercare |
| |
The stitches you have may not all be dissolving and may need removing. This will be at your follow up appointment
You must keep your dressing as dry as possible until your follow up appointment.
Once in a while, swelling and bruising may be severe which will decrease over the next 6 - 12 weeks.
You should have been measured for bra size preoperatively. Although it is difficult to be precise about your size after surgery, you should have an indication of the size of the sports bra you will need. As a general rule expect to keep your chest measurement (36, 38 etc) but you should increase your cup size.
Immediately after surgery there occasionally may be dramatic swelling, which may mean a hematoma or seroma collection. If you notice that your breasts appear too large than were at the end of surgery, you should immediately report to the surgeon.
Please bear in mind that we will endeavor to give you the breast enlargement you desire, but it may be that your skin would not stretch to accept a larger implant. This will have been discussed with you at your initial consultation and in your preoperative discussion a few days prior to surgery. The operation we have performed is to ensure a SAFE and NATURAL result.
Scarring is always an issue and hopefully your scarring will be reasonable. If scarring is an issue we will advise you to correct this with scar reducing creams, silicone gels and silicone sheet applications as well as with lasers. We have IPL VL as well as CO2 Fractional lasers with us and our experience over last 10 years has shown that all freshly formed scars if exposed to IPL VL periodically every three weeks become finer and merge nicely with surrounding skin. Any corrective surgery if required will only be undertaken when post operative swelling settles which may be after 9 - 12 months.
At your follow up appointment you will be given further advice regarding scar massage.
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
