BREAST AUGMENTATION

 

Before Surgery

A formal face to face consultation followed by examination is required with Dr. Tiong. You must have a breast ultrasound and mammogram.

Please fill in the appointment form (click here) to make an appointment with our staff.

 

Both male and female has breast tissues. Around the time of puberty, the female breast will develop much bigger compared to a male counterpart and thus gives its femininity to the female agenda.

Should the breast fail to develop in some cases, this can cause severe embarrassment and poor self-esteem. Breast implant, or augmentations or enhancement may correct this problem. Often after puberty, because of underdeveloped breast tissues, young adolescence often tries to hide their embarrassment by folding their arms and crouching over their shoulder to prevent criticism from her peers. After years of adopting this defensive posture, this can potentially lead to kyphosis.

Similarly, during puberty the milk duct and glands also develop. Failing to develop properly, the nipple may be retracted and therefore cause a problem called inverted nipples.

On the other hand, in male, should the breast tissue develop faster it causes a breast enlargement called Gyneocomastia.

Breast augmentation has many names. It is also known as breast implants surgery, breast enlargement, breast enhancement or simply a ‘boob job’ that many young girls are using when they talk.  Cosmetic breast surgery gives you individualized options for changing the size and shape of your breasts.

Surgical methods and breast-implant technology have improved dramatically in recent years and breast augmentation is a common safe procedure when it is done properly in a proper operating theater.

Breast augmentation surgery can enhance size and shape, correct imbalances, improve firmness, and restore the contour and balance of your body and making you look proportioned, balanced and natural.

How is it done?

Breast surgery is performed in an outpatient surgical centre under general anaesthesia. This is usually done as a day procedure and the patient can usually return home the same day.  However, should you wish to stay over night, this is possible but there is an additional cost.

The implant can be inserted by an incision underneath the breast, through the margin of the nipple, or through the armpit as seen in the image below.

Then, the breast implants can be placed under the muscle or above the breast tissue as shown in the photo.

 

Implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with varying designs. It can be classified by the shape of the implant which is broadly classified as round or tear drop as shown in the photos below.

 

Another way of classifying the implant is by the look of the shell of the implant. It can either be smooth or textured.

 

Furthermore, the implant can be classified as a group by the content of the bag. This can be silicone implant when it is filled with silicone or saline implant when it is filled with normal saline (sea water). Nowadays the contents of the silicone implants are all made of cohesive gel which feels natural like a normal breast after a few months of the surgery.

             

Cohesive gel means the gel does not flow out of the shell when it is cut into two halves and it looks like a turkey delight, as shown in the pictures above. This superior technology makes a big difference as compared to the older generation of silicone implants made by Dow Conning Company which caused significant capsular contracture, and silicoma. As a result legal class actions was taken against the company worldwide and the company has been dissolved and these implants no longer exists.

Current generation of cohesive gel implant has a superior technology in its making.

The projections of the implants will give you a better look if your existing breast tissue is very minimal. Therefore the higher the projection, the more perky it will look as shown on the following 2 photos:

There are lots of factors that needs to be taken into consideration when choosing a breast implant that suits you most. Dr. Tiong has written a lot on the subject matter.

The choice of incision and implant placement depend on the size and shape of the implant, your body frame, amount of breast tissue and the planned scar location.

How long does the surgery take?

Breast implant surgery usually takes about one hour unless the breasts are asymmetrical or of abnormal shape in which case the surgery may take longer. Dr. Tiong performs this surgery at a private hospital. At the end of surgery there is no drain required. You will be more comfortable when you wake up from surgery.

To date, this is the safest course of action free from infection.

What should I expect during recovery and what are the associated risks?

1.Although the cut on the chest wall is small , underneath the cut, the tissue is stretched and separated for the insertion of implants and therefore the breasts will be bruised, sore, and swollen after surgery.

2. You may experience pain but this can be managed by pain killers. Often , you will experience muscle spasm but this can be easily managed.

3. Vomiting form anaesthetic agents can occur which can be easily managed by anti-vomiting agents.

4. Swelling typically settles in 2 to 3 months during which time the wearing of a support bra is recommended.

5. Nerve damage is theoretically possible and has been quoted in 3-5% patients in general. To date,  Dr Tiong has no documented cases of nerve damage.

6. Post operative- haematoma is possible but yet to happen in Dr Tiong’s does not insert any drainage after surgery,  none of his patients to date have experienced this.

7. The reported incident of breast augmentation surgery is roughly 3-5%. To date, the incident of breast augmentation infection is zero by Dr. Tiong. Great care is taken to avoid this by meticulous haemostasis (the process to stem bleeding)  and performed in a hospital setting.

You need to wear a surgical bra provided for about a week. There may be some moderate amount of pain you will experience but this can be treated with painkillers orally.

Heavy lifting or straining should be avoided after surgery because this can cause the breasts to swell and increase pressure. You can typically return to work within a week and to full activity within a few weeks. Sensation in your nipples may be reduced temporarily but should return to normal as your breasts heal. Breast feeding usually is not hindered.

After healing, some permanent scarring will remain. Scars are typically small and inconspicuous.