Every year more than 6,000 breast augmentation operations are performed in the Netherlands. From puberty, breasts can be small or underdeveloped. They can also become laxer or smaller after pregnancy or a weight-loss diet.
Every year, more than 6,000 breast augmentation operations are performed in the Netherlands. Breasts can be small or underdeveloped from as early as puberty. Breasts can also become sagging or smaller after pregnancy or a weight-loss diet. There are no age limits for a breast augmentation treatment, but the procedure is rarely performed on anyone under the age of eighteen. In the past, breast implants were filled with liquid silicone and could therefore leak. Today, we use implants filled with a gel-like substance. The risk of a leaking implant is therefore no longer an issue. However, there is still the risk of capsular contracture. A layer of connective tissue, called a capsule, forms around the implant. If this capsule becomes too firm, we call this capsular contracture. The capsule then squeezes so tightly that the breast feels hard, can become deformed and is painful. This often only happens after many years. With current implants and modern surgical techniques, the risk of capsular contracture has also decreased. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict in advance whether you will experience this or not. Providing information about this complication is, however, important.
Implants can be placed above or below the chest muscle; this depends, among other things, on the existing amount of fat and glandular tissue. With a small cup size, it is better to place the implant beneath the chest muscle so that the edges and transition of the implant appear as natural as possible. With a larger cup size, your own breast tissue provides sufficient coverage. When the breast droops in later life, the implant will naturally follow. The edges of the implants can sometimes be felt, especially in later life when the skin has become thinner and looser.
Because the implant is always placed beneath the breast gland, you can still breastfeed normally. Checking your breasts for any suspicious lumps, as well as a mammography or MRI, are also no problem at all. The X-ray equipment can be adjusted so that the silicone implants do not interfere.
After two weeks you can walk around normally again, but plan for a recovery period of six weeks. It is important to take it easy during those six weeks. The implants will then have the chance to settle into the correct position. Bust creams have no effect on the size and shape of the breasts. They do, however, keep the skin in good condition, helping to maintain the shape of your breasts for as long as possible, even after a breast augmentation.
Read the article from DA magazine here.
Source: Breast augmentation; good information is important - DA Magazine edition