If you go out and ask ten men why they need cosmetic surgery, many will answer without hesitation: "To enlarge women's breasts."This logic is not accidental: human civilization, whether women like it or not, is inherently patriarchal, meaning men dominate almost everywhere.For them, the bust is the most attractive part of a woman's body.
Therefore, since ancient times, ladies, in order to make a stronger impression on the stronger half of humanity, have come up with various ways to make their breasts more prominent.At first, clothes with a deep neckline, then underwear created a beneficial optical effect.But all these are temporary measures and women want something permanent or at least permanent.
Only the development of cosmetic surgery can help women truly have an appearance that suits their desires and meets the standards of external beauty set by men.In 1889, what millions of beautiful women around the world dreamed of happened - an artificial method of breast augmentation was invented, later called mammoscopy (from the Greek “endon” - “inside” and “prosthesis” - “to add, join”).
The first material used to enlarge women's breasts was paraffin, which was first called petroleum wax because it was made from this flammable liquid.During the first decades of the last century, aesthetic medicine tested many materials suitable for endoscopy: ivory and glass beads, polyethylene and polyurethane, polyester foam, etc.All this leads to sad consequences.
Only in 1961, two American plastic surgeons from Houston, Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow, created and used the first silicone implants during surgery, creating a real breakthrough in cosmetic medicine.But it took more than half a century before fifth-generation implants were invented in the mid-1990s. They are distinguished by improved physical and chemical properties: they are denser and more reliable;The gel that fills them is durable and therefore does not leak through the shell.
Operational phase
Because breast replacement is a fairly serious surgical procedure, it can only be performed under general anesthesia.During the entire surgical procedure, all vital indicators of the body are monitored using special monitors: blood pressure, heart rate, level of oxygen saturation in the blood, etc.
Before surgery, the surgeon applies marks with a special marker, according to which the surgical method will be performed.The incisions are usually made so that post-operative scars are least noticeable.The choice of surgical method depends on a number of determining factors.In particular, they are:
- location (high, medium or low) of the mammary gland on the chest wall;
- presence or absence of breast ptosis - ptosis and its degree (three in total);
- skin characteristics: thickness and elasticity, presence of stretch marks;
- Anatomical features of the pectoralis major muscle, sternum and ribs.
Then a pocket (bed) is formed for the implant to be installed.It can be located under the pectoralis major muscle, under the mammary gland, or a combination option is performed.The first method is used more often because it gives more stable results.
After implantation, the wound will be sutured.To achieve the best aesthetic effect, cosmetic sutures in the skin are performed using modern absorbable suture material or using special medical glue.The patient is then placed in a compression garment to prevent implant displacement and increased tissue swelling after surgery.For several hours after surgery, the patient remained in the rehabilitation room, where medical staff monitored her condition.
In general, breast replacement surgery takes between 40 minutes and one and a half hours.Sometimes it takes longer depending on the surgical technique used and several other factors.For example, a patient's desire is to enlarge her breasts to several sizes at once.Additionally, if you have previously had breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer or trauma, the procedure may be more difficult and take longer.
Operating method
There are four main surgical methods used worldwide.
- Submammary (under the mammary gland).
This method only involves cutting the skin under the breast (in the fold under the breast). If there is a good fold, the incision will not be noticeable.In other cases, this approach does not provide adequate aesthetic results.The advantages of this method include the fact that when used, breast tissue is practically not affected. - Periaareolar.
With this method, the incision is located along the semicircle below the areola, at the boundary between the pigmented skin of the areola and the unpainted skin.Therefore, after a few months, the post-operative scar is almost indistinguishable.In this case, the breast tissue moves apart in the lower part.This in no way hinders the ability to breastfeed in the future and, contrary to common misconceptions, it does not reduce nipple sensitivity in the postoperative period. - Armpit (armpit).
This surgical method involves making an incision in the armpit area.This also does not affect breast tissue.It is more reasonable to use this method when the initial size is very small and the fold under the breast is not formed.In other cases, it has limitations.To achieve axillary access, endoscopic video technology is required.It allows surgery to be performed more safely and with less trauma, with greater distance from the incision to the surgical area. - Transmitted through the navel.
This is a rarely used technique.It involves installing an implant through an incision in the navel area.In this way, only an implant filled with a saline solution can be installed.First, the implant shell is installed, then filled.Such types of breast implants are practically not used, because as experience has shown, silicone implants allow one to achieve a more stable result, taking into account all the nuances of a particular case.
The final choice of implant installation and surgical approach depends on the characteristics of each patient, and only a selective individual approach to each case can achieve the most aesthetic result.
Prepare for surgery
Before starting to prepare for surgery, the patient should find out from the plastic surgeon all aspects of the planned procedure: type of implant, manufacturer, availability and warranty period, shape, type of shell and fillings.The most popular today in the world are silicone implants with shells and textured fillers - silicone gel with shape memory.
There are many different types of implant fillers.
- silicone liquid, consistency similar to vegetable oil;
- standard silicone adhesive gel (cohesion is the bond between the molecules of a substance that determines its strength), with a jelly-like consistency;
- Silicone gel has high adhesion, the consistency is like marmalade;
- silicone gel “soft touch” (from the English “soft touch”) - increased softness;
- saline solution, the consistency of a water-filled bag;
- soybean oil, similar in consistency to the first filler.
Each filler has its own advantages and disadvantages.For example, a highly cohesive gel will retain its desired shape well with a high degree of protrusion but be denser to the touch.Saline solution helps the breasts feel as soft and natural as possible but is not guaranteed to maintain their shape.8-10 months after starting use, the formation of salt crystals that can penetrate the shell may begin.
There is also a “gurgling” effect, which is also not suitable for all patients.
There is another way to enlarge the chest without using foreign materials.This is the birth of fat cells - lipofilling or lipomodeling.This method was proposed relatively recently, in 2004, although similar experiments have been carried out since the second half of the twentieth century.However, in those years, fat grafting did not have a positive effect because it was quickly absorbed by the body.
Today, plastic surgeons have learned to treat fat cells in such a way that the effects of injections last longer.However, after a year and a half, up to 60% of the implant mass is absorbed, so the surgery will have to be repeated.So, unlike silicone implants, liposuction is a temporary measure.
Before performing breast augmentation surgery, the patient will need a comprehensive health examination to ensure there are no medical contraindications and minimize possible risks.It will include:
- Blood tests: clinical and biochemical, coagulation, Rh group and factor, HIV, syphilis and signs of hepatitis C and B;
- General urine test.
In addition, a mammogram or mammogram, chest X-ray or fluoroscopy, electrocardiogram and venous ultrasound of the lower extremities will be needed.Additionally, during the consultation with the plastic surgeon, the patient must be informed about all existing diseases, previous surgeries, allergic reactions as well as medications used, including dietary supplements.
In addition, before surgery, you will need to stop smoking and drinking alcohol for at least two weeks, since the former have a negative effect on healing, and the latter are incompatible with antibiotics prescribed for prophylactic purposes in the postoperative period.
In addition, every woman planning a mastectomy should know and take into account the fact that planning pregnancy within a year after surgery is extremely undesirable.The fact is that changes in hormone levels in the early stages after surgery and at the beginning of lactation (breast milk formation) can affect breast implants in the most unpredictable way.
Contraindications when performing endoscopic breast surgery are:
- pregnant;
- diabetes;
- Severe endocrine and autoimmune diseases;
- blood clotting disorders;
- diseases of the mammary glands (including mass formation), which should be observed by an oncologist;
- exacerbation of existing chronic diseases;
- diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems that contraindicate general anesthesia;
- age under 18 years old;
- less than six months after stopping breastfeeding.
Rehabilitation after surgery
Full recovery after breast replacement occurs within a few months.This period can be divided into several main stages.
During the first 3-4 days after surgery, the patient may feel discomfort: a feeling of heaviness and sharp pain in the main muscle area of the chest.They may get relief by taking pain medication prescribed by their attending physician.By the fourth day, these symptoms usually disappear.
There may be soft tissue swelling in the surgical area.Sometimes it lasts several weeks and spreads to the abdomen.These are normal symptoms and are not a cause for concern.
Hand movement will be limited for the first 24-48 hours after the procedure.
During the first week you should not drive.During this time, it's best to keep your clothes as comfortable and easy to remove as possible.
You will need to limit physical activity as much as possible.However, bed rest is not necessary at all.It is also recommended to avoid nicotine and alcohol.
One week after surgery, you should be able to drive a car, but only if you do not take any pain medication, which severely impairs motor skills.It is important to consult with your surgeon before returning to driving.
If your job does not involve intense physical activity, you can return to work within a week.However, you still need to avoid lifting heavy objects (more than 4-5 kg) and limit excessive physical activity.
One month after surgery, your doctor will probably allow you to resume light exercise.However, most surgeons still do not recommend performing many activities on the body during this period, especially involving the major muscles of the chest.Light cardiovascular exercises can be done without running or swimming.During this time, you will begin to see results from your breast augmentation.The breasts will begin to fall into their natural position and take on a more natural shape.However, please note that this process may take several months.Four weeks after surgery, the compression garment is usually removed and you can begin wearing a bra without bands or push-ups.
A few months after surgery, you will be able to see if the results are as expected.As for scars, they will continue to fade over time and blend into the surrounding skin.They will become virtually invisible within a year if cared for properly.Two to three months after surgery, the breasts become softer, attain the density of natural breast tissue, and then become increasingly softer with each passing month.After three months, you can begin more intense upper-body workouts.
There are some other post-surgery tips you can use to speed up your recovery:
- Avoid taking medications that affect blood clotting;
- Moisturize the mammary glands regularly to avoid stretch marks;
- suppress the desire to remove the bandage and watch the progress - this can cause infection;
- give your implants time to “acclimate”: at first they will look unnatural, with the upper pole overfilled, but gradually they will take on a natural teardrop shape;
- Remember to get plenty of rest as this will speed up the recovery process;
- Avoid wearing tight clothes, especially those that require you to raise your arms when putting them on;
- For one month after surgery, you can simply sleep on your back!You cannot sleep on your side, much less on your stomach.In the early days, it will be easier to sleep with pillows placed high behind your back;
- If you experience severe pain, asymmetrical swelling appears, or the bandage becomes wet, consult your doctor immediately;
- Don't worry if your nipples increase or decrease in sensitivity after surgery: this is normal;
- the feeling on the right and left may not be the same - this is not a sign of trouble and happens to almost everyone;
- Please note that most women are able to breastfeed after surgery, however milk production may be slower.