Santa Barbara Breast Implants
 Breast augmentation is used to enhance the appearance of the breast by placing a saline implant or a silicone implant under the breast mound. Breast augmentation will increase volume, improve the fullness of the breast, correct asymmetry, and provide a more youthful shape. During the consultation, a thorough medical history and physical examination of the breasts are provided to insure the quality and safety of the procedure. The patient is shown variety of breast implants in an appropriate brassiere, in order to help decide on a general size. A small number of patients may choose to consider a mastopexy, or breast lift in conjunction with breast augmentation if the breast skin is too loose.
Breast augmentation remains a popular procedure due to the straight forwardness of the operation and the predictability of the results. Implants can be placed behind the muscle; this is called the subpectoral breast augmentation. Alternatively, the breast implant can be placed in front of the muscle; this is called the subglandular breast augmentation. Placement of the implant depends on the anatomy of the patient. Most contemporary breast implant procedures are placed partially under the muscle, and partially under the gland. This is called the Dual Plane breast augmentation, and has the advantages of each type of operation.
Incisions for implant placement also vary. Incisions placed in the fold beneath the breast are usually well hidden following breast augmentation. Incisions at the edge of the nipple are also well camouflaged following placement of breast implants. To see this breast augmentation animated, click here.
Santa Barbara Breast Augmentation
In subpectoral breast augmentation, implants are placed completely behind the muscle tissue of the chest wall. This operation allows for the breast implant to be covered with more natural tissue. In effect, this camouflages the breast implant as much as possible. This type of breast augmentation, however, can give too little projection and in some patients, can give rise to a "double bubble" appearance. This technique is usually used in breast reconstruction rather than breast augmentation. To see breast augmentation animated, click here.
Santa Barbara Plastic Surgery
With subglandular breast augmentation, the muscles of the chest wall are not elevated. The implants are placed directly below the breast tissue and are therefore not constricted by the muscle tissue. This allows for a more full appearance at the lower portion of the breast, and this can give a pleasing result in some patients. Because there is less tissue covering the breast implant with this type of augmentation, it is more likely that the implant can be evident, with areas of rippling or rounding, particularly in the upper and medial portions of the breast. To see breast augmentation animated, click here.
Santa Barbara Dual Plane Breast Augmentation
The Dual Plane breast augmentation represents the most contemporary approach to breast implant placement. With this procedure, the breast implant is placed partially below the muscle and partially below the breast tissue. The pectoralis muscle is raised and released along its lower portion, and the breast alone is elevated in the lower aspect of the breast. This allows the breast implant to lie with muscle covering the superior portion, while only breast tissue covers the lower portion. The muscle coverage above allows for a gentle slope to the upper portion of the breast, while often preventing the ripples and folds that the breast implant can show when the muscle is not used. On the other hand, release of the muscle in the lower area allows the implant to rest below the breast gland here and provide good projection and a more natural appearance. To see breast augmentation animated, click here.
Complications of breast augmentation are infrequent. Capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue that forms around any foreign body tightens. This can cause rippling or hardening of the implant. In the rarest but most severe case, this can also be painful. Breast implants can also rupture over time, and in this case need to be replaced. The most recent studies have closely examined the health risks of both saline and silicone leakage from breast implants, and both have been found to be safe. Dr. Lowenstein and Dr. Sheffield will not perform any operation that they feel will jeopardize the health of their patients, but always want patients to be as informed as possible with regard to their options.
To see breast augmentation and other procedures animated, click here.
Santa Barbara Breast Implant Articles
| 
