Breast Augmentation with Reconstruction: A Great Option

Breast augmentation can be seen as a cosmetic enhancement or an emotional necessity. They can be for pure physical enlargement when one feels that their natural breasts are inadequate in size for their overall body size and structure. Or, one can be generally unhappy with the shape and symmetry of their mammary glands. This can also ring true for women dealing with malformation or damage due to trauma or partial or full mastectomy of the tissue. All of the women who can choose to enhance their bodies appreciate a great surgeon and relish in the implant choice. However, breast augmentation used to accompany reconstruction is a long, uncomfortable, and impassioned process.

Breast augmentation is the cosmetic surgery designed to utilize either saline or silicone breast implants of varying size to produce desirable shape, size, and/or height to one's natural breast tissue. The implant may be placed above or beneath the breast muscle by one of four methods used today. Breast augmentation used in reconstruction utilizes the same techniques, yet additional consultation and therapy are required for reconstruction patients who must first deal with what was before they approach what will be.

All cosmetic surgery patients are asked about their reasoning for partaking in the procedure in order to ensure their well-being and acceptance of natural results unique to their body type rather than an arbitrary ideal. However, the patients of breast reconstruction require more time and care for the decision they are about to make. They just lost one or both of their natural breasts and have had to see or feel the loss. Now the idea of having protruding breasts again is first a mental and then physical adjustment, much like the previous surgeries.

The first step is to assess the state of the natural breasts. Scar tissue will need to be removed if at all possible, before the remaining breast tissue can be used for implant placement. Secondly, the skin in this area may need to be stretched in preparation for the enlargement, especially if the mastectomy or trauma occurred quit some time ago and the scar tissue mentioned earlier has formed. The surgeon will inform each patient on an individual basis if implantation or prosthesis is an option for them. Third, the patient will return for implant placement. A second surgery will be required if only one breast is being enlarged. This is when the other breast may be increased or reduced in order to closely match the size and shape of the new breast. Lastly, nipple reconstruction and placement will occur to produce the final appearance of her new breasts.

In the end, breast augmentation offers cancer, trauma, and aesthetic enhancement patients the opportunity to choose. These women choose to alter their bodies the way that they want now rather than settling with the pain of disappointment. Increasing one's breasts can offer more than femininity back; it can offer a sense of pride for some.