Breast Augmentation
Plump and erect breasts have been one of the most important elements of beauty in the female body for centuries. In case of structurally small breasts, loss of volume and sagging of the breasts after excessive weight loss or breastfeeding, the person may experience some aesthetic and psychosocial problems.
Breast augmentation procedures can be applied to all individuals over the age of 18 who have these problems and have completed their breast development. Breast augmentation surgery is a procedure that will increase self-confidence, wear the desired clothes and have a high aesthetic satisfaction rate.
Today, the most effective and accepted method for breast augmentation is silicone breast prosthesis surgery. These prostheses, which have been used since the second half of the 20th century, have undergone significant changes thanks to increasing technological developments. It has become possible to find a more durable prosthesis that can stay in the body for a lifetime, maintain its shape or take shape with body movements, lighter and suitable for every body.
Silicone breast prostheses consist of a hard outer shell and gel structure. It is highly resistant to pressure and it is not possible to explode with blunt pressure. However, the outer shell can be opened after a penetrating injury. In this case, since the gel content is low in fluidity, it will not spread out completely, but it will be appropriate to replace or remove the prosthesis as soon as possible.
Breast prostheses are available in many volumes and shapes. It is available in round, anatomical (drop) shapes or shapes according to the movement of the body. In addition, the surface can be smooth or rough. The aim of breast augmentation surgery is to shape the breast as well as to enlarge the breast. There are two main points in the selection of prosthesis. First, after the physician’s examination, the rib cage measurements, the current breast volume, the position of the breast on the chest and the elasticity of the skin; The second is the patient’s request and expectation. These two conditions are carefully evaluated and the most suitable prosthesis is selected for the patient.
Preoperatively, mammography and breast USG examinations should be performed in patients younger than 35 years of age. Mammography is recommended at an earlier age in patients at high risk. In some cases, further examination methods may be required.
The operation is performed under sterile conditions under general anesthesia. It is a process that takes 1-1.5 hours. Although the incision can be made from the inframammary fold, nipple or armpit, the most applied method today is the incisions made from the inframammary fold. The prosthesis can be placed under the breast tissue, under the muscle membrane, under the muscle or under the semi-muscular half under the breast. It is correct that the area where the prosthesis will be placed is decided by the pre-operative examination. It is placed in the submuscular plane in the presence of no or very little breast tissue and thin skin. Apart from this, submammary and submembrane plans would be more appropriate. The drains to be placed during the surgery are removed after 12-24 hours and the patient is sent home on the same day or the next day.
Since the prosthesis is placed under the mammary glands in any case, there is no obstacle to breastfeeding due to the prosthesis. However, after pregnancy and breastfeeding, sagging of the breasts may occur and breast lift procedures may be required.
After the operation, the patient returns to his normal life in the 1st week. She is asked to wear a special corset bra or an unbalanced sports bra for about 3-4 weeks. It is not recommended to do heavy sports for 3 weeks. In the first 3 weeks, there is significant edema in the breast. The breast begins to take its full shape after the 3rd month. At the end of the first year, USG/mammography is repeated. Breast prosthesis can help early detection of possible masses that may occur in the breast.
In recent years, it has been revealed that there is a very low risk of developing a type of lymphoma in the naturally occurring capsule around silicone breast prostheses. This disease, called BREAST PROSTHESIS-Associated ANAPLASTIC LARGE CELL LYMPHOMA (BIA-ALCL), is NOT a type of BREAST CANCER; It is a type of cancer originating from lymphatic cells and occurs 4-8 years after prosthesis surgery on average, and is a disease that manifests itself in the majority of patients with complaints such as Swelling, PAIN, RARE BREAST MASS, HARDNESS, ASYMMETRY AND REDUCES ON THE BREAST, usually on one side. It can be treated by removing the prosthesis and the surrounding capsule completely. In case of delayed diagnosis or advanced disease, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may be required. Although it is a treatable disease, it can result in death if neglected.
However, breast augmentation with fat injections has come to the fore in recent years. However, effective results can be obtained if it is applied in certain situations in a certain patient group. In the presence of sufficient breast tissue, it can be used to obtain a fuller décolleté area, to correct slight asymmetries in the breast, and to reduce the asymmetry and palpability of the prosthesis after the prosthesis. Its permanence is unpredictable and repetitive applications may be required. In addition, it is thought that it may cause diagnostic difficulties in breast diseases due to calcifications that may occur.
Apart from these, injections of high amounts of hyaluronic acid or water-based fillers can be used, but they are methods that are less effective, have low permanence and are relatively more costly.
