Breast Augmentation

It is performed in young women and adult women whose breast volume is small or asymmetric relative to their body contours. Breast augmentation with breast implants is generally performed to make asymmetric breasts symmetrical, and in women who have had a mastectomy because of breast sagging, atrophy or surgical breast disease.

Implants are used to enlarge the breasts or to create breast volume. If the skin and subcutaneous tissues are not sufficient to cover the implant, the patient's own tissues are used. Before surgery, the surgeon and the patient discuss the factors that determine the surgical outcome and plan a defined process.

The patient and the doctor decide together on the location of the surgical incision. An incision in the crease under the breast is the most commonly used. In breast augmentation, unrealistic expectations, an unsuitable implant and healing problems can cause difficulties.

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure performed for aesthetic and functional purposes on breast tissue that is naturally small or has shrunk because of atrophy after childbirth. If sagging of the breast tissue accompanies small breast size, a breast lift (mastopexy) is performed at the same time.

Implants with a silicone gel consistency are used to enlarge the breast tissue. Polyurethane-coated silicone implants in particular are high-quality implants with the lowest risk of capsular hardening and are fully rounded like the natural female breast. These are the implants preferred at İzmir Can Hastanesi and Salihli Can Hastanesi. With these implants, even if the outer shell tears, the silicone gel does not spread and keeps its shape. When placing the implant, the incision site may vary depending on the wishes of the patient and the surgeon and on the type of implant used.

The implant is inserted through a 4–5 cm incision. It can be placed directly beneath the breast tissue or in a pocket created beneath the chest wall muscle. Placement beneath the muscle causes some pain in the early postoperative period, but it is preferred because it has fewer other side effects and gives a more natural appearance.

The operation takes about 1.5–2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. The patient can return to normal life within a few days. A special bra may need to be worn for a short time. The patient is advised not to lift heavy objects or raise her arms overhead for 3 weeks. From the 6th week onward, all kinds of sports activities can be resumed.

Capsular contracture may develop as a complication in 1–2% of cases. In that case, the hardened capsule is removed in a second operation and the same implants are placed again. No adverse outcome that would threaten the patient's health is expected.