Breast enhancement surgery, which is also called breast enlargement or breast augmentation surgery, is one of the best-known cosmetic operations in terms of name recognition, but many people may not be all that familiar with the particulars.  Over 350,000 breast enlargement procedures were conducted in the United States alone in 2008, as shown by data provided by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or ASAPS, making it one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures for women.

 There are many reasons why a woman might pursue breast augmentation surgery.  Breast enhancement may be used to address an asymmetry of the breasts, or to reconstruct the breasts after a mastectomy or other surgical procedure; the term “breast reconstruction surgery” is generally used in cases of this nature.  Breast enhancement is also used to deal with genetic issues involving the breasts including micromastia, which results in the severe underdevelopment of the breasts, as well as other conditions involving the complete absence of one or both breasts.

 Most commonly, though, most women who choose breast augmentation surgery do so for purely cosmetic reasons.  Detrimental social effects are frequently associated with a lack of confidence regarding one’s looks, including the appearance of the breasts.  An effective way of preventing or dealing with these issues, then, is to address the root cause of the problem.  With this in mind, the popularity of breast augmentation is not surprising.

 Breast enlargement surgery can involve any of a variety of methods, each of which may be particularly appropriate for the individual dependent upon several factors such as physical characteristics, prior operation history, the amount of augmentation desired.  All breast augmentation procedures involve the use of implants.  Two basic kinds of breast implants exist: silicone implants and saline implants.

 Of these two types, saline implants are the less popular one, and are comprised of a shell made of a silicone elastomer which, after first being inserted during the breast augmentation procedure, is filled with a a saline solution, containing water and salt.  This makes them slightly more adaptable than silicone implants.  That being said, saline implants are generally useful only for less drastic augmentation procedures.  They are also slightly susceptible to rippling, wrinkling, and other such problems, as well as being thought to be more obvious to the touch compared to silicone implants, although this point is debatable.

 Silicone implants, meanwhile, are filled with a silicone gel, while making use of a silicone elastomer shell not overly different from those used with saline implants.  Not unlike saline implants, silicone implants have been around since the 1960s, although the constitution of silicone implants has seen changes steadily over time.  Modern silicone implants are quite different in comparison to the first generation; the gel used now is semi-solid, which virtually erases the issues with leaking that first-generation implants, with their more liquid-like gel, were known to experience.

 The surgical procedure itself can also make use of different techniques.  The inframammary incision method is the most common technique used for breast enhancement surgery.  This method makes use of an incision made in the area just below the breast, called the inframammary area.  The implant can be inserted by way of this incision.  This method is perhaps the safest of any kind of breast enhancement procedure, and the scars that result are usually well concealed below the breast afterward.

 The periareolar incision method makes use of an incision around the border of the areola.  Saline implants are necessary for this technique, as silicone implants are too large to be inserted through this type of incision.  However, this technique does permit the surgeon to entirely reposition the breast, which may be desired by the patient in some cases.

 Depending on a number of factors, the patient may desire the surgeon to to make an incision farther away from the breast; patients who are concerned with scarring visible on or around the breast may also request this type of procedure.  The transaxillary incision is an incision made in the armpit area, while the transumbilical incision is an incision in the area of the navel, which can be carried out at the same time as a tummy tuck.  In both cases, an endoscope may be employed in order to assist in correctly positioning the implant.  Both of these procedures are usually only performed with the use of saline implants.

 Every type of surgery involves some risk, and breast enlargement is no different.  Additionally, after undergoing this kind of procedure, the patient will usually be required to adhere to a recovery regimen lasting at least six weeks, during which time strenuous exercise and other physical activity must be avoided in order to ensure that the operation is successful in the end.