
Breast Augmentation in Calgary AB
Breast augmentation is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures. Also referred to as breast enlargement or Augmentation Mammoplasty, breast augmentation surgery can give women with small or unevenly sized breasts a fuller, firmer, better-proportioned look through the placement of breast implants. Women may elect to undergo breast augmentation surgery for many different medical and aesthetic motivations, including balancing breast size and compensating for reduced breast mass after pregnancy or surgery.
Breast enlargement surgery is performed to increase breast size and/or fix breast asymmetry. Candidates include women who want larger breasts, and those who want to restore the breast volume often lost as a result of pregnancy or significant weight loss. Breasts are typically enlarged with breast implants. Breast augmentation is not a substitute for a mastopexy, which is a procedure to “lift” breasts that sag significantly.
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The Breast Augmentation Procedure
Breast implants are cohesive gel implants that are placed behind each breast, underneath the chest wall muscle. The procedure lasts one to two hours and is performed with general anesthesia. After breast augmentation surgery, the patient’s bustline may be increased by one or more cup sizes.
Incisions can be made in inconspicuous places on the breast to minimize scar visibility (in the crease on the underside of the breast, or around the areola, the dark skin around the nipple). Dr. Frank prefers the incision around the bottom part of the nipple, due to the fact the scar hides the best and gives Dr. Frank the best access to perform the surgery. The breast is then lifted, creating a pocket into which the breast implants are inserted.
Placement behind the chest wall muscle offers a few advantages over placement beneath the breast tissue only. These include reduced risk of capsular contracture (post-operative tightening around the implant) and less interference with mammogram examinations. Most patients are quite surprised at how little pain they are in following the surgery, and often equate the pain they feel to that of an intense chest workout.
After the breast implants are placed and centered beneath the nipples, incisions are stitched and taped. Most patients feel tired and sore after breast augmentation surgery, but this usually passes in a day or two and many patients return to work within the week. Most post-operative pain, swelling, and sensitivity will diminish over the first few weeks. Scars will begin to fade in a few months and will continue to fade for months or years.
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Candidates for Breast Augmentation Surgery
How are Breasts Augmented?
Will There Be Scarring After My Breast Augmentation?
Recovery From Breast Augmentation Surgery
Can a Breast Augmentation be Combined with a Breast Lift?
When Can I Return to Normal Activities After My Breast Augmentation?
Is Breast Augmentation Surgery Painful?
Does Breast Augmentation Increase My Risk of Developing Breast Cancer?
Should I Wait Until I am Finished Having Children to Have Breast Augmentation?
Can I Breastfeed After Augmentation?
Will My Nipple Sensation Change After Breast Augmentation?
Risks of Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast Implants FAQs
What Is the Purpose of Breast Implants?
Breast implants are used to add volume. When placed behind the chest wall muscle and beneath the breast tissue the implant adds volume and increases the visible size of the breasts. Implants also add shape to the breasts, increasing volume on the upper area of the breasts, the area naturally prone to flattening and sagging.
Implants can make asymmetrical breasts more symmetrical. They can increase the projection of the breasts. They can remove the natural flattening that occurs with age. Or they can simply increase breast size by one or more cups.
What Decisions Will I Need to Make When Selecting Breast Implants?
What Are the Different Types of Breast Implants?
Breast implants formerly were a choice between saline and silicone. The exterior shell of all implants is made of medical-grade silicone. Saline implants are filled with sterile saline solution. They have the added benefit of being filled once the implant shell is placed, requiring a smaller incision. However, the consensus is that saline implants don’t feel as natural as silicone.
Silicone implants are filled with silicone gel. The silicone gel used in today’s implants is far more cohesive than that used in the 80s. The cohesiveness of the gel means how much the gel stays together rather than dispersing. In the case of an implant rupture, this is important as modern silicone tends to stay within the shell rather than moving out into the created breast pocket. Silicone implants are considered to feel more like natural breast tissue than do saline implants.
There are two other choices here, although they are technically saline and silicone. One is the gummy bear implant. These silicone implants are made of highly cohesive silicone gel that will not move out of the shell, even if the implant is cut in half.
The Ideal implant is a brand name for a saline implant that is made with a different method. Rather than a single shell, Ideal implants are made of a series of nested shells. They have two pockets that hold silicone solution. This construction method is thought to feel more like silicone implants.
What Type of Implants Does Dr. Frank Recommend for Augmentation?
Dr. Frank believes Allergan’s two options for cohesive silicone gel implants are the best choice. These are known by the brand names of Natrelle Inspira™ Breast Implants and Natrelle® Silicone-Filled Breast Implants. The Inspira implants have a fuller appearance than the other Natrelle option.
- Natrelle® Silicone Breast Implant Styles — There are a total of eight styles of these implants, moving up from moderate profile in Style 10 to high profile in Style 45.
- Natrelle Inspira™ Breast Implant Styles — There are five styles in the Inspira line, ranging from low profile to extra full profile
What Are the Benefits of Allergan Cohesive Gel Implants?
Allergan has a long history of providing products for the aesthetic industry. In addition to its implant lines, Allergan also makes Botox®, Juvederm®, and Latisse®. It also provides CoolSculpting® equipment and training.
This focus on the aesthetic industry is important when weighing implant quality. Dr. Frank believes both the Natrelle® and Natrelle Inspira™ offerings of cohesive silicone breast implants are the finest available. He feels the cohesive silicone in these implants maintains its shape better than implants with lower cohesiveness. They are also less likely to ripple or pucker, especially when compared with saline implants.
How Long Do Breast Implants Last?
How Do I Choose the Size of My Breast Implants?
What is the Difference Between Saline and Silicone Breast Implants?
What Are the Risks with Allergan Cohesive Gel Implants?
Breast augmentation with Dr. Frank is major surgery, and it has the risks involved with any surgery: anesthesia reaction, bleeding, infection, and such.
For augmentation, there are some specific risks that are the same with all implant brands and manufacturers. These include the loss of nipple or breast sensation, rupture or capsular contracture.
The main enduring risk or problem with implants is capsular contracture. When a foreign object, like a breast implant or artificial knee, is placed in the body, the body responds by building scar tissue around it. If the scar tissue development becomes too aggressive, it may deform the implants and cause them to feel overly firm or hard. If this happens, they may need to be replaced and/or the excess scar tissue removed.
To learn more about breast implants and options available for a breast augmentation surgery in Calgary, Cochrane, Airdrie, Chestermere, and Okotoks, AB, CA, contact us at (403) 245-1228.
Contact Us at: 403-245-1228
If you would like to learn more about our cosmetic and plastic surgery services, to make an appointment with us, or to schedule your consultation, call us or contact us at our Calgary office.