Breast Implant Surgery

What is Breast Implant Surgery?

Breast implant surgery, also known as breast augmentation or augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to increase the size, improve the shape, or restore the volume of the breasts. This surgery involves the insertion of breast implants, usually silicone or saline, behind the breast tissue or beneath the pectoral muscle.

At Bodies Plastic Surgery, we use only the highest quality implants, including Motiva® and Mentor® brands, recognized worldwide for their safety, durability, and natural results.

Ideal Candidates

The best candidates for breast implants are women who:

• Desire to increase the size of naturally small breasts
• Want to restore volume lost after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss
• Wish to correct breast asymmetry
• Need breast reconstruction after mastectomy or other procedures
• Have realistic expectations about the results
• Are in good general health
• Have completed physical development (generally over 18 years old)

This procedure is highly customizable, adapting to each patient's body proportions, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences.

Implant Options

By Material

Silicone Implants

• Filled with cohesive silicone gel
• More natural feel, similar to breast tissue
• Lower risk of visible rippling
• Require periodic monitoring with MRI or ultrasound

Saline Implants

• Filled with sterile saline solution
• Inserted empty and filled during surgery, allowing for smaller incisions
• If ruptured, the solution is safely absorbed by the body
• May be more palpable or visible in patients with little breast tissue

By Shape

Round Implants

• Provide more volume in the upper part of the breast
• Create a more prominent cleavage
• If they rotate within the pocket, appearance is not affected

Anatomic or Teardrop Implants

• Designed to mimic the natural shape of the breast
• More volume at the bottom than the top
• Require precise positioning to avoid rotation

By Texture

Smooth Implants

• Uniform external surface
• Move freely within the surgical pocket
• Lower risk of visible rippling

Textured Implants

• Rough external surface
• Help prevent rotation (especially important in anatomic implants)
• Greater adherence to surrounding tissue

Surgical Techniques

Incision Approaches

There are different approaches for placing implants:

Inframammary Incision

• Made in the fold under the breast
• Provides excellent visibility during surgery
• Scar well hidden in the natural fold
• Our preferred technique for its versatility and precision

Periareolar Incision

• Around the edge of the areola
• Less visible scar as it blends with the color change between areola and skin
• May affect breastfeeding in some cases

Transaxillary Incision

• In the armpit crease
• No scars on the breast
• Greater technical difficulty
• Less control over precise positioning

Placement Plane

Implants can be placed in different anatomical planes:

Subglandular (above the muscle)

• Between the mammary gland and the pectoral muscle
• Less painful recovery
• More visible in thin patients with little breast tissue

Submuscular (under the muscle)

• Under the pectoralis major muscle
• More natural appearance, especially in the upper part
• Lower risk of capsular contracture
• More painful recovery

Dual or Hybrid Plane

• Part of the implant under the muscle and part under the gland
• Combines advantages of both techniques
• Ideal for certain types of anatomy

Surgical Procedure

Breast augmentation surgery is generally performed as follows:

1. Administration of general anesthesia
2. Precise incisions according to the chosen technique
3. Creation of surgical pockets for the implants
4. Careful insertion and positioning of the implants
5. Closure of incisions with layered sutures
6. Application of dressings and postoperative support

The procedure typically lasts 1 to 2 hours and is usually performed on an outpatient basis.

Recovery and Results

First week

• Use of surgical bra or compression garment 24 hours a day
• Moderate discomfort manageable with medication
• Swelling and tightness in the area
• Limited arm movement and physical activities
• Relative rest, avoiding lifting heavy objects

2-4 weeks

• Return to non-physical work activities
• Noticeable reduction in swelling
• Possible persistence of sensitivity and discomfort
• Start of massages as indicated by the doctor (in some cases)

6-8 weeks

• Gradual return to all physical activities
• Possibility to wear any type of bra
• Implants begin to "settle" into their final position

3-6 months

• Final results visible
• Disappearance of residual swelling
• Softening and naturalization of the implants
• Scars begin to fade

The results of breast augmentation are immediately visible, although the final appearance develops gradually as swelling decreases and the implants settle into their natural position.

Risks and Considerations

As with any surgical procedure, breast implant surgery carries certain risks, including:

• Capsular contracture (hardening of the tissue around the implant)
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation
• Implant rupture or leakage
• Asymmetry
• Visible wrinkles or rippling
• Abnormal scarring
• Anesthesia-related complications
• Implant rotation (mainly in anatomic implants)
• Possible need for additional surgeries in the future

At Bodies Plastic Surgery, we minimize these risks through advanced surgical techniques and thorough postoperative follow-up.

Duration of Results

Breast implants are not lifetime devices. The FDA recommends regular follow-up and considers that implants may last between 10 and 20 years, although many women keep their original implants for much longer without problems.

Factors that may influence the need for replacement include:

• Capsular contracture
• Rupture or leakage
• Desired aesthetic changes (size, shape)
• Complications
• Implant displacement

We recommend annual evaluations to check the condition of the implants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will it affect breastfeeding ability?

Most women can breastfeed after breast augmentation, especially if inframammary or transaxillary incisions are used. However, some patients may experience difficulties depending on the technique used.

Do implants interfere with mammograms?

Implants can make it harder to visualize some breast tissue on standard mammograms. It is important to inform the technician about your implants so that adapted techniques (displacement) can be used for better visualization.

When can I sleep on my stomach?

We generally recommend waiting at least 6-8 weeks before sleeping on your stomach, although this may vary depending on individual recovery and your surgeon's specific instructions.

Will the result look natural?

At Bodies Plastic Surgery, we specialize in natural results that complement each patient's unique anatomy. Careful selection of implant size, projection, and type, along with advanced surgical techniques, allows us to achieve results that look and feel natural.

Will I have to replace the implants every 10 years?

Not necessarily. Although implants are not permanent devices, there is no set expiration date. Replacement is recommended only when there are problems such as rupture, severe contracture, or other complications, or when the patient desires an aesthetic change.

At Bodies Plastic Surgery, every breast augmentation procedure is meticulously personalized to the patient's individual needs and desires, using the most advanced techniques to achieve beautiful, natural, and long-lasting results.