19 October 2020 Author : Gustavo Coelho Mammoplasty is a surgery performed to change the size and / or shape of the breasts. It can be to increase or decrease it. Physicians who perform augmentation mammoplasty are specialized in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. The main reason for women to seek augmentation mammoplasty is to restore or improve / increase breast shape and / or volume when it is small or disproportionate to the body. This is what happens, for example in cases of: Breast hypoplasia or small volume breast; Breast atrophy; Breast asymmetry; Loss of breast volume after pregnancy; Loss of breast volume resulting from weight loss. How is breast augmentation performed? The use of silicone gel prosthese s to increase breast volume marked a new era in the history of plastic surgery. Through a small incision, silicone gel prostheses are placed behind the mammary gland or behind the large pectoral muscle, options that have different indications. There are several approach techniques, or access routes, to perform this surgical intervention: Peri-areolar, that is, around the breast areola; Axillary, that is, in the region of the armpit; Infra-mammary, that is, in the mammary groove located under the breast. There is no better access route than the other. The choice depends mainly on the woman physical characteristics and her individual desires. Therefore, in most cases, the woman chooses the access route, according to her will. Whenever the intervention is carried out with the proper care and criteria, all access routes are adequate and leave discrete scars, about 4 cm, and well positioned, which end up going unnoticed over time. How are prostheses chosen for breast augmentation? There are several different prostheses, with different shapes and different textures. Regarding the shape, there are round and anatomical prostheses (in drop), which also vary in height, width, and projection. The size of the prostheses must be chosen by the surgeon together with the patient. With the wide variety of prostheses available on the market, there will be a type of prosthesis more suitable for each woman to achieve her desire. It is up to the surgeon to guide the choice of the most appropriate size and shape, so that the desired results are obtained. It is essential to seek for a balance between size (height, corpulence), volume of the chest and breasts, so that the final post-operative result is harmonious and with a natural aspect. Whatever the case, breast augmentation allows: Increase the fullness, projection and balance of the breast contour; Improve the woman self-image and self-confidence which, in most cases, is the supreme reason why the woman undergoes breast augmentation. Meet the Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
