Breast augmentation is a breast surgery procedure performed to change the size and shape of a patient’s breast by making them larger or bigger.

An aesthetic or reconstructive breast surgery is performed to shape the breasts into the preferred form and size of the patient. The reason for undergoing surgery can be many; for instance the patient might want to reconstruct a surgically removed breast due to breast cancer. Many women are not comfortable with the size and shape of their natural breasts and therefore perform breast surgery. The cost of breast surgery also varies according to the type of procedure and the area and country in which it is performed. It is commonly known as a “boob job” in a colloquial dialect.

The two main types of breast implants include different types of implants with saline-filled and silicone gel-filled implants.

Saline VS Silicone Implants

Saline type implants have sterilized saline liquid that is captured inside a silicone shell while silicone gel implants are the same except filled with silicone gel. They both have their own advantages and disadvantages.  Silicone implants have a more pleasing and natural look with a more realistic feel. While this is so, if a silicone implant breaks opens or leaks, unlike the saline implant that deflates immediately, the silicone implant may not show immediate results as the silicone implants leak to the surrounding breast areas and it is harder to repair than saline implant. Also, the silicone implants have a higher rate of rupture. 

The saline type implants are also categorized into two types: fixed volume implants and adjustable volume implants. Fixed volume implants are filled entirely with saline solution before insertion while the adjustable volume implant is filled during the operation for a more fitting adjustment.

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a breast surgery procedure performed to change the size and shape of a patient’s breast by making them larger or bigger. It can either be done for aesthetic or reconstructive reasons. The process usually involves inserting silicone or saline gel implant behind the breast tissue or above the breast muscle.

Possible Complications of Breast Augmentation

Possible problems after surgery include bleeding, poor healing, capsular contraction, infection, unevenly positioned breasts and nipples, permanent loss of feeling in your breasts. There is also a risk of loss in sensitivity of the nerves of the breast. The other risk is if the implants leak or punctures undetected, then there could be potential health risks. It could also interfere with mammograms so if a person may potentially have cancerous tissues or growth hidden, the implants may interfere with the detection of the risk.

Other Approaches to Breast Augmentation

Other non-surgical approaches to breast augmentation may include Vacuum bras, injectable fillers fat grafting, botox breast lift, breast firming creams, and padded bras. Fat grafting taking fats from other parts of the body to fill in the breast area is a good alternative to breast augmentation as it has a realistic feel to it but it also involves surgery. Vacuum bra is another less known alternative, which is an external bra, is said to increase women’s cup size by half a cup size. Injectable fillers are also another non-surgical alternative with a temporary result.