Breast Aesthetics (Mammoplasty)

Apart from its functional importance during breastfeeding, the breast is also an extremely important organ for the female body visually. Even today, in many cultures, the female organ is seen as the breast. For this reason, the situation where the breast size is less than desired (breast hypoplasia) is a condition that often comes to us to be corrected.

 

Breast hypoplasia is frequently detected both in the developmental youth period and in advancing ages due to reasons such as recurrent breastfeeding processes and hormonal changes over the years. In this case, we plastic surgeons apply surgical techniques that increase breast volume. Although there are different techniques used for breast augmentation today, the most commonly used one in the world is breast augmentation with silicone breast prostheses. The second technique is fat injection, which has been preferred in recent years, especially in cases where more limited augmentation is required or asymmetric correction is required. We apply augmentation with silicone breast prostheses in the vast majority of patients who apply to us with the request of breast augmentation.

 

Breast augmentation with silicone breast prostheses is a procedure performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 1.5 hours. The breast prosthesis is basically placed in two planes: Submuscular (Sub-Pectoral = Submuscular) and Submammary gland (Subglandular). This decision is made according to the condition of the patient's breast tissue and chest muscle (pectoral muscle). Surgery is usually performed using one of two different incisions: the lower half of the colored area (areolar) around the nipple (Circumareolar) and the inframammary fold. The incision is about 4 cm and heals imperceptibly when planned correctly. Before the surgery, during the interview with the patient, the breast size that the patient wants to reach after the surgery is determined through both the physician's guiding questions and the available images. During the operation, after creating the space where the prosthesis will be placed, the prosthesis with suitable volume is determined and placed under sterile conditions by washing with antibiotic solutions. After the surgery is completed, the patient is put on a special bra that he will use for 4 weeks after the surgery and the patient is taken to the bed.

 

In breast augmentation surgery, an important factor affecting the postoperative period is the plan of the prosthesis. The prosthesis placed under the pectoral muscle causes tension in the muscle, causing more pain than the prosthesis placed under the mammary gland. This pain is seen within 12 hours after the most intense operation, and therefore, the patient is kept in the hospital the night of the operation and appropriate painkillers and muscle relaxants are administered. The first control after the operation is done 7-10 days later. In this control, the seam lines are checked. The final result in breast augmentation surgery is faster (approximately 1 month after the surgery) than many other plastic surgeries. In the month after the operation, it is sufficient to use a special bra and to avoid activities that require strong use of the shoulder-arm muscles.

Breast tissue is of great importance in women, in addition to its breastfeeding function, its shape and size and body image. In the breasts; Volume increase and sagging may occur due to familial predisposition and developmental reasons or for reasons such as breastfeeding and weight gain. This deformation; It can cause shoulder and back pain, redness, rash and ulceration under the breasts, and even neck-waist hernias. Considering the increase in breast cancer in recent years, it should definitely be considered in all breast surgeries, even aesthetic ones, and preoperative breast ultrasound or mammography screening should be performed in all patients over 40 years of age.

 

Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 3 hours. Basically, 2 types of incisions are used according to the size of the breast tissue in the surgery. The first of these is a vertical incision (a vertical scar around the nipple and extending down from here), and the other is a Reverse-T incision (an additional scar along the inframammary fold in addition to the vertical drawing). While an inverted-T incision is required for more drooping and larger breasts, a vertical incision is used in cases that require uplift rather than reduction. In addition, liposuction is also applied in patients with excess fat, especially in the armpits and outer breasts. At the end of the surgery, the patient is put on a bra made specifically for the surgery and taken to the bed and spends the night in the hospital.

 

Patients are discharged the day after surgery or the day after (when the amount from the drains decreases). They start to take a shower within 48-72 hours after the operation and usually go back to work after one week at the latest. After the operation, the first control is made in the first week and the suture lines are checked in this control. The special bra worn at the end of the operation is used for an average of 6-8 weeks, after which the patients return to the bra of their choice. The final result of the surgery is clearly seen around the 3rd month, when the edema disappears at a high rate. However, patients feel the lightness and comfort of getting rid of weights from the first hour after the surgery.

 

To summarize, breast reduction surgery is an operation with low pain level and high patient satisfaction. A breast reduction surgery performed in the appropriate patient and with the right technique is the best option to save the patient from both physical problems and unhappiness related to the appearance of the breast.