Most women undergo this type of surgery because they want to feel better about their appearance, both in and out of clothes. Women choose to have breast augmentation surgery to improve their self image. Some feel dissatisfied because their breasts never developed to a size that meets their expectations. Others want to bring balance to a breast that is somewhat smaller than the other. Differences in size between the right and left breasts can be improved with the use of breast implants. Often women want the breast augmentation procedure to restore their natural breast volume, which may have decreased as a result of pregnancy, weight loss, aging or even breast cancer surgery.

During your initial consultation with your local plastic surgeon, you will be encouraged to discuss your desires, fears, expectations, and goals. The first and foremost objective is the creation of breasts that you envision yourself with. In addition to increasing breast size, your plastic surgeon will strive to create a more aesthetically pleasing breast by improving shape, balance, and proportion.

Depending on the desired shape, your plastic surgeon may choose a round or contoured breast implant. Round breast implants tend to produce a more rounded appearance to the upper breast. Shaped breast implants are designed to reflect the slope of the breast.

The surgery lasts from one to two hours and is usually performed in a surgical facility under a light, general anesthetic administered by an anesthesiologist. A long acting, local anesthetic is also added to help eliminate discomfort following surgery.

Nipple: This commonly used approach involves a 1 to 1 1/2" incision on the lower border of the pigmented areola and allows not only enlargement but some correction of shape and position discrepancies. The incision generally heals well with minimal scarring. Although blockage of nipple ducts is a theoretical problem, it rarely occurs. Most women are able to breast feed after this procedure.

Inframammary incision: In a small number of cases where the areola is very small, an incision is made at the crease below the breast. This approach may be suitable in women with prior breast surgery or with the most complicated breast augmentations.

Axillary (Underarm): This approach is utilized when a patient's breasts are small, in good position, and relatively symmetrical. The breast implant is introduced through a 1 to 1 1/2" incision in the center of the axilla, and is generally placed under the muscle mass. In patients who are extremely muscular, this placement may show movement of the implant; in such cases, the implant is placed over the muscle tissue. Absorbable stitches are placed in the underarm area, and a small tubular drain may be used to collect fluid for a day or two in order to decrease swelling.

Endoscopic: This is the most modern technique for breast enlargement surgery. A small incision is made in the axilla (underarm) and a small endoscope is used to introduce the implant either under the pectoralis muscle or the breast tissue. Absorbable sutures are used through the procedure to assure your comfort. The unique features of this technique are the small incisions necessary to perform the procedure, and the location of the incisions in the axilla or armpit. Therefore, no scars are visible on the breast or at the breast crease leading to excellent aesthetic results. It is ideal for those patients with smaller breasts where the scars on the breast would be visible, and for those who have a predisposition to abnormal scarring.