Breast Enlargement - Introduction

There are many motives which lead women to the decision to undergo a breast enhancement procedure. In most cases, it is an aesthetically motivated desire for larger and fuller breasts. As one of the most important symbols of womanhood, the breast plays an enormous role in a woman's feelings of self-worth. Many women are unsatisfied with the shape that nature has given their breasts. Advancing age or weight loss also change the size and shape of the breasts. Some women suffer from asymmetry between the left and right breast. A professionally executed breast enhancement can have satisfying results in many cases, thus strengthening a woman's feelings of self-worth and well-being. If your individual desires with regard to the shape and size of your breasts could be achieved by a breast enhancement procedure, you should discuss this possibility in detail with your operating doctor.

A breast enhancement is one of the most common procedures in cosmetic-plastic surgery. However, not all breast enhancements are undertaken for purely aesthetic reasons. Breast reconstruction with the aid of silicon implants may be necessary with the onset of chest deformation or after breast amputation due to cancer. In many cases this is regarded as an eligible condition with regard to health insurance provisions, but the costs of such a medically classified breast enhancement outstrip even health insurance funds.

A classical breast enhancement, also called mammary augmentation, distinguishes first of all between the type, shape, and size of the implant. The filling within the implants consists of silicon or a biocompatible saline solution; in some cases, an empty implant is inserted which can then later be filled by injection. The type of access incision used depends on the type and size of the breast implant. Naturally, the later visibility of the resulting scar as well as medical criteria are taken into consideration. Thus, the advantages and disadvantages of each method must be weighed carefully in every individual case. The procedure itself is undertaken using general anaesthesia; thereafter, you can anticipate a 1-3 day stay in the clinic. In a breast enhancement procedure - as with almost every operation - swelling and bruising as well as mild pain can be expected initially, but these can be handled well during your inpatient stay.

Thorough aftercare measures promote the healing process. In the first weeks after the operation, it is recommended that you wear a special bra which supports your breasts. Sports and other physical exertion should be avoided for about 2 months. After a period of about half a year these complications should have completely disappeared and the scars will have regressed for the most part. At this point, the results of the breast enhancement are now visible and recognisable. Regardless of which method you have decided on, one definite risk that should not be overlooked is the biocompatibility of the implant, which is essentially a foreign object in the body. In some cases there is a hardening of capsules due to defense mechanisms - the breast feels hard and firm. In this case, a second corrective procedure can be helpful.^1,2