Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation or augmentation mammoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves placing implants (sacks filled with silicone gel or saline) behind each breast to change the overall look, size and shape of a woman's breast for various reasons, including:
- Restructuring the breasts following a mastectomy (removal of breasts due to cancer or other diseases)
- Wanting bigger breasts due to aging or weight loss
- Believing their breasts are too small
- Correcting the reduction in breast volume after a pregnancy
- Balancing differences in breast size
As part of Cedars-Sinai Medical Group, a trusted name in healthcare, the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Program offers a full range of surgical procedures for breast augmentation. Surgeons use leading-edge technology and world-class surgical techniques to achieve the best possible outcomes for breast augmentation candidates.
Surgical Procedure
Breast augmentation surgery is reasonably straightforward. The overall placement and positioning of the implants depend on the patient's needs and the surgeon's technique. Incisions can be made under the breast fold, outer edge of the areola, armpit or in the umbilical area. Once the incision is made, surgeons will lift the breast tissue and skin to create a pocket under the chest muscle or directly behind the breast tissue. Implants are carefully centered beneath the nipple to give the breast its new shape. Surgeons make every effort to keep the resulting scars from the incisions as discreet as possible.
After Surgery
There are several complications and risks associated with breast augmentation surgery, including:
- Discomfort, tenderness and swelling
- Infection
- Excessive bleeding
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Capsular contracture (scar tissue around the implant hardens and squeezes the implant)
- Rupture
- Nipple sensitivity
- Indentations on the breast
- Unsatisfactory results, which could lead to a second procedure
- Fatigue, fever or breast pain
Contact Us
For more information about breast augmentation, please contact:
| Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
| 8635 West Third St., Suite 990W |
| Los Angeles, CA 90048 |
| Phone: (310) 423-5900 |
| Fax: (310) 423-5940 |
