BREAST AUGMENTATION
The aim is to increase the volume of the breasts using
implants, so the result is both natural and nice breasts according to the needs
and physiological characteristics of ecah patient.
The
operation can be performed in any season, although it is more common in those
months prior to summer. The first visit to the consulting room is essential, in
order to create a kind of rapport between the surgeon and the patient, that is
why I spare no effort to give some very detailed and thorough information about
the operation, explaining every single surgical procedure, as well as details
about the selected implant.
The
implants
Nowadays,
the most reliable implants are those made up of silicone. Soya implants were
banned since there were a lot of doubts concerning its innocuousness. I am using
now the new anatomic, cohesive implants, for they offer better consistency
and better results regarding naturalness. These are placed through the axilla in a subfascial/subglandular position.
I do not recommend saline implants
since they tend to go flat and therefore do not provide a natural breast
consistency.
Due to
some world-wide controversy around implants, a lot of research papers and
articles have lately shown that women with silicone implants do NOT have more
chances of developing cancer or immunological diseases than women without them.
A woman with silicone implants can have a normal pregnancy and lactation since
it is been proved that the silicone do not reach the mother's milk.
The only
problem that seems to happen is the so-called 'capsulated contracture'. Fortunately
enough, I have experienced just few cases. It is known that some factors may
help this capsulated scar to occur, like haematoma, bacterial
contamination...In order to avoid its ocurrence, we
place a drainage for some hours, which extracts the blood that may remain
around the implant. We also clean the implant with antiseptic and prescribe
oral antibiotics for a few days. Moreover, we have now a medication, Accolate, that seems to reduce and prevent capsular
contracture.
The
operation
The implants are placed through a small incision in the
axilla, putting them behind the pectoral fascia, a layer covering the muscle. The implant is subfascial/subglandular.. This procedure has some
advantages compared to the placing of implants through the areola. Firstly, because the scar is hidden in the armpit. Secondly,
the gland remains unaltered since we do not leave any scar on it. And finally
because the implant is placed on the muscle so the final result is really
astonishing, pain is less and the patient can resume physical activities sooner. THIS IS THE
SUBFASCIAL TRANSAXILLARY BREAST AUGMENTATION,technique I am pioneering in Spain. An
habitual worry among women is the adequacy of the size of the implant ( the change must be visible but not excessively
conspicuous). In order to satisfy the patient's needs I use specially designed
meters so that the size of the implant suits the height and diameter of the
patient's torax.
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The
prosthesis also can be placed through the areola . We
use it mainly in women who do not want the scar in the axilla or when it is
necessary to correct some small defect in the areola.
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The
operation can be either perfomed with general anaesthesia or local with
sedation (without intubation), depending on patient's needs. It usually takes
one hour and a half. It implies hospital admission that may last few hours or
no more than one night.
Post-operative
period
The
result is immediate. I recommend rest for three or four days. After that period
the patient can drive and work. However, she must avoid exertions (e.g lifting
weight) at least during 10 days. No bandages are used and the patient can wear
a bra with the desired size.
Dr. J.
Benito Ruiz, 1998-2000