West Regional Medical Center

Breast enlargement or "Augmentation mammoplastly" enhances the body contour of a woman who is unhappy with her small breast size.

Other purposes that incline to this procedure are:

To correct reduction in breast volume after pregnancy.

To balance a difference in breast size.

As a reconstructive technique following breast surgery.

Augmentation mammoplasty is done on an outpatient basis in our surgical center, usually under sedation and local anesthesia. An implant (prosthesis) is placed through an incision, under the breast tissue or under the muscle. The incision can be made under the breast, around the nipple or under the arm. A breast implant is composed of an outer silicone shell filled with saline or a silicone gel implant. The outer surface may be smooth or textured, and implants come in various shapes to meet the individual woman’s needs.

When the implant is placed sub muscularly under the breast, there is a lower chance of contracture (contraction of the tissue capsule surrounding the implant), and mammography is more reliable. There is also less risk of visible or palpable implant edges. However, some believe the implant has a more natural appearance when placed above the muscle than under the breast tissue. Your plastic surgeon can help you decide which placement and type of implant will work best.