The Face  |  The body  |  The breasts

Breast augmentation

Consult the information site of the learned societies: www.chirurgiens-plasticiens.info/

Here, however, are some answers to the questions most frequently asked by patients:

What are the volume-augmenting techniques?

a / Breast implants : are currently the most frequently adopted solution for breast augmentation.

  • Most often, the implant is made of silicon
  • At your request, it can contain physiological saline solution.

b / Breast augmentation using filler : injections

This method is used exclusively for small augmentations. It also requires a surgical procedure.

Drawbacks:

  • Currently, the injections have to be repeated every 18 months.
  • It is difficult to reproduce exactly the same result each time.
  • What will be the result after 30 years of injections?
  • This technique is far from being unanimously approved by all physicians.

c/ Breast augmentation Fat injections or transplants

This method is currently used as a complementary procedure designed to harmonize an esthetic or reconstructive augmentation.

The technique is clearly-defined, straightforward and reliable when performed in a surgical setting.

However, there is no unanimous consensus regarding the indications for this technique.

Volume and shape:

Volume:

Trying different implants for volume during the consultation gives misleading results.

The breast you wish to have should be beautiful when exposed. Computerized morphing evaluations are unreliable and can lead to post-operative disappointment. Augmentation results are governed by a host of morphological factors.

My approach is to give you what you wish. The real determining factors, however, will be your breasts, your chest and your figure.

The surgeon is not as free to operate as you may think, above all if you wish to achieve a natural, stable and lasting result.

Once you have made your decision at leisure, you must trust your surgeon and he, in turn, must trust your breasts.

Regarding shape:

Breast implants come in different shapes. The shape of the breast is not determined by the shape of the prosthesis. However, the most appropriate implant is chosen to suit your breast and your figure.

Scars

The surgical approach

There is no « best surgical approach ». All have advantages and drawbacks and all have proven their worth over time.

One, or even several, will provide the right solution for your breasts, your chest and your desired outcome.

1 The axillary (armpit) approach

Advantages :

  • The scar is made in the armpit, away from the breast.
  • More discrete, depending on the shape of your armpit.

Drawbacks:

  • he breast implant has a greater tendency to ride up than with other approaches.
  • Presence of the sentinel lymph node, which is useful in the diagnosis of breast cancer.
  • For any subsequent operation, it is preferable to use an alternative approach.
  • Anatomical prostheses are more difficult to position and stabilize.

Technique :

  • With or without endoscopy

2 The areolar approach

Advantages:

  • Discrete scar if it develops the same color as the areola
  • Easy access for creation of planned implant space
  • Easy access for subsequent procedures.

Drawbacks:

  • The scar is located on the breast
  • The scar can be white against a darker areola
  • Risk of modifying the shape of the nipple
  • Opening the mammary gland can leaves traces on mammographies when testing for breast cancer.

3 The sub-mammary fold approach

Advantages :

  • The scar is situated away from the breast
  • The mammary gland is not opened
  • No upper incision is made, thus reducing the risk of the implant rising up.
  • This is the ideal approach for a secondary procedure (change of implant, treatment for periprosthetic capsule…)
  • This is the so-called « anatomical » approach.

Drawback :

  • In the event of an unsightly scar, this would be visible when the breast is raised.

The surgical approach is decided on with the patient once she has been made aware of her particular anatomy.

The result

With clearly defined indications, breast augmentation gives very satisfactory and even beneficial results to the patient as it addresses both the patient’s esthetic issues as well as her subconscious. The patient will feel a new indefinable presence – a kind of rebirth.

Article published by Richard Casey

 

*The surgical results shown in these photographs cannot be reproduced identically, nor even approximately. Results are dependent on the initial anatomy of each individual patient.



3D simulation of your future breast augmentation

Le Dr Richard Casey provides its patients Crisalix, an online and fully interactive 3D simulation.

From 3 pictures this software will allow you to determine the right volume for your implants to visualize tour future breast.

This simulation is just a step before the actual surgical intervention which will be performed by Dr Casey at the private hospital Cannes Oxford.