Plastic surgery is a very common procedure, allowing people to reach a sense of personal comfort when it comes to physical appearance. Orange County plastic surgery professionals perform a variety of breast procedures.
Scientifically known as an augmentation mammaplasty, breast augmentation consistently remains in the top five most sought-after plastic surgery procedures. The procedure involves using implants to create fuller breasts and/or restore volume that has been lost due to pregnancy or significant weight loss.
The implants generally come in two different forms: saline and silicone. Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. Depending on the volume of the water, the surgeon can modify the firmness, shape, and feel of the patient’s breast. Many criticize saline implants for feeling too unnatural and at times hard.
Silicone breast implants are filled with a gel polymer containing silicon and other chemicals. The gel is nearly identical to the texture and feel of human fat, but a leak can lead to potential complications. The body can absorb saline; it can’t absorb silicone.
Breast Reduction
On the other end of the spectrum is breast reduction. Formally known as a reduction mammaplasty, this procedure removes excess breast fat, skin, and glandular tissue to achieve a breast size that is proportional to the rest of a patient’s body.
Overly large breasts can be uncomfortable and even lead to various health issues. Back problems and joint pain are the most common issues with oversized breasts. The weight of excess breast tissue creates certain physical limitations, impairing a person’s ability to lead an active life. Oversized breasts can also cause a great deal of emotional discomfort and self-consciousness.
Breast reconstruction is often associated with breast cancer survivors who have undergone a mastectomy or radiation treatment. The procedure is accomplished through various surgical techniques that essentially aim to restore a breast to normal size, shape, and appearance.
There are different techniques and each patient is unique. Although the procedure will rebuild your breast, results are highly variable. Visible incision lines, from the mastectomy or the reconstruction procedure, will always be present. A reconstructed breast will not feel the same or have the same sensation as the breast it replaces. However, this procedure still helps many breast cancer survivors regain a sense of normalcy in their lives, and restores the feminine contour of their body for increased confidence.