Is Breast Augmentation Right For You?

Did you know that the number one plastic surgery procedure performed in the United States today is breast augmentation? It's true. More women have gotten breast implants than any other plastic surgery procedure to date. The reasons why women choose this type of surgery are varied, but the most popular reasons are to improve breast size and shape, correct a deformity and to have reconstruction after a mastectomy due to cancer. Are implants right for you? Let's take a look.

The two options available today for breast augmentation surgery are silicon gel-filled and saline-filled implants, and they each have advantages. Silicone provides a more natural look and feel, while saline provides flexibility, thus allowing the size of the breast implant to be increased or decreased, to create a more uniform look.

The trans-umbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) procedure is one of the most popular options for breast enhancement today. An incision is made in the belly button of the patient during this procedure. With many of the other available breast enhancement surgery options, the incision is made in the armpit or bust.

The TUBA procedure is unique. Once your cosmetic surgeon makes the incision in your belly button, he or she will then tunnel up to the chest area. The surgeon feeds a deflated saline implant through the tunneled section. Once the breast implant is in position, and it can be placed either in front of or behind the muscle, it is inflated with saline solution.

After the TUBA procedure, care should include wearing a sports bra that provides extra support. You will more than likely be on light duty for a few weeks following your procedure, as strenuous physical activities can cause problems until you fully recover.

Of course, the most important part of the decision-making process when undergoing any kind of reconstructive or aesthetic plastic surgery is finding a qualified cosmetic surgeon to perform the procedure. To locate a plastic surgeon in your area who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can go online at www.plasticsurgery.org.

After you locate a doctor in your area that is certified to perform cosmetic plastic surgery, the next step is to schedule a consultation appointment with him or her to determine whether you are a good candidate for breast enhancement surgery. A good plastic surgeon will spend time with you to evaluate both your mental and physical health and give you their unbiased opinion on whether augmentation breast implants is the right choice for you. You need to know all the benefits and risks of the surgery as well as what type of post-operative care you will need.

Some advantages of the trans-umbilical breast augmentation method are that it has the lowest complication rate, the most rapid recovery time and the least post-operative discomfort, and it leaves a mostly inconspicuous scar as compared to other breast surgery procedures. One disadvantage is that there is an increased risk of puncturing the implant during surgical placement, resulting in leakage and increased surgery time.