feature Breast reshaping Whether it’s an augmentation, lift or reduction, breast surgery can create beautiful-looking breasts in any patient. Caitlin Bishop reports. 98 www.cosbeauty.com.au
feature Breast surgery is about creating a beautiful shape <strong>and</strong> balancing the figure. No matter the patient’s age, body type, existing breast tissue <strong>and</strong> desired result, breast surgery – be it augmentation, a breast lift or reduction – is aimed at bringing the body more effectively into proportion <strong>and</strong> harmonising the interplay between breast volume, shape <strong>and</strong> contour. In every case, breast surgery is tailored to the individual patient, depending on their body type, expectations, concerns <strong>and</strong> existing breast anatomy. Here, we outline the three most popular surgical procedures to create beautiful-looking breasts in any type of patient. Breast augmentation Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures across the globe. It uses implants to add volume to the breast <strong>and</strong> enhance the body’s contours. There is no ‘best’ breast implant type, size, shape, texture, location placement <strong>and</strong> incision site, <strong>and</strong> a thorough consultation is essential in tailoring the procedure to suit each patient’s natural body shape <strong>and</strong> expectations going into surgery. Breast implants are either filled with silicone gel (most common in Australia) or saline solution, <strong>and</strong> are typically produced in round <strong>and</strong> teardrop (anatomical) shapes. The texture of breast implants can be smooth, textured or covered in a polyurethane foam surface. Saline implants have a silicone outer shell that is filled with a medical-grade saltwater solution, which is completely biocompatible. Saline implants generally feel quite firm <strong>and</strong> can experience deflation or leakage problems. In comparison, silicone gel filled implants generally feel softer <strong>and</strong> more like natural breasts tissue. The silicone gel is cohesive, meaning it is pre-shaped <strong>and</strong> holds a lesser risk of leakage. The shape of implant can noticeably affect the final result in breast augmentation surgery. Round implants, depending on their fill, can give a defined round shape or assume more of a teardrop form when the patient is upright. They tend to provide more upper pole fullness than anatomical implants, which are fuller in the lower pole. Anatomical implants dem<strong>and</strong> a greater degree of accuracy in positioning <strong>and</strong> if they shift after surgery, the shape of the breast may be distorted. They normally have a textured surface to avoid rotation. Teardrop implants can provide greater projection in proportion to the size of the base, making them particularly suitable for women with little natural breast tissue. The patient’s body shape <strong>and</strong> individual preferences are the main determinants of implant size. A thorough consultation process, where the patient is given implants to “try on” <strong>and</strong> shown several before <strong>and</strong> after photographs, is necessary in determining the most suitable implant volume. During the surgery, an incision is made either in the inframammary crease (below the breast), around the areolar or in the transaxillary position (under the arm pit). The incision location is usually dependant on the surgeon’s preference <strong>and</strong> the patient’s expectations regarding scarring. The implant is then placed either above (subgl<strong>and</strong>ular) or below (submuscular) the pectoralis muscle. www.cosbeauty.com.au 99