The human body is incredibly complex. Women especially notice a tremendous amount of change in their bodies throughout their lives. These changes start from puberty and continue to manifest even after menopause. During pregnancy, women become even more aware of the changes happening inside and outside of their bodies.
One such clear sign of change is breast volume. Our bodies produce hormones to manage our growing physiology and behavior. Estrogen is a hormone present in women that regulates breast-volume growth. It is responsible for the fullness and firmness of the breast tissues.
A woman typically starts to gain breast volume as she attains puberty. However, due to factors such as hormonal imbalances or an uneven growth spurt, it is not uncommon to notice a lack of breast volume.
When women lose weight rapidly, they also lose some of their breast volume, which may make the breasts appear uneven. The constant hormonal changes during pregnancy and menstrual cycles can also be a cause of volume loss. Losing breast volume is a known cause of body-image issues and depression among women.
Breast Augmentation
With the advancement of science, we have now learned to control how our physiology can appear to an extent. Breast augmentation is a technique where breast volume can be increased to produce a desired physical appearance.
During breast augmentation, prosthetic devices filled with silicone gel or saline are implanted within the breast tissues to increase volume. These devices are known as breast implants. Breast augmentation has helped women in regaining lost breast volume.
Breast augmentation requires the creation of incisions. These incisions can be made in the armpit, in the inframammary crease below the breast, or around the areola. Each incision site has its pros and cons, and the best way to decide on the right site for you is to discuss your options with a medical professional.
Once incisions have been made, pockets are made in the tissue. These are created to make room for the implants. The implants are inserted snugly into the pockets and positioned precisely and symmetrically. After they have been inserted, the incisions are closed with the help of surgical sutures.
Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting
A newer technique for breast augmentation is also available. This technique completely avoids the use of implants. Instead, the patient’s own excess fatty tissue is used to increase the volume of the breasts.
Liposuction is used to harvest excess stubborn fat from trouble areas of the body like the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. This excess fat is then purified in order to remove any dead or damaged fat cells. The remaining cells are healthy and ready to be grafted.
Purified fat is then carefully injected into the breasts at various tissue depths to create even volume enhancement. Once the fat is injected, it needs to connect to the existing blood supply in the area in order to thrive. This process can take time, but it is well worth it for the sake of creating long-lasting results.
Find Out More by Speaking with Dr. Lentz
Which breast-augmentation method is right for you? The best way to decide is by visiting Dr. Carl Lentz, an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon with numerous satisfied patients. Contact us for your consultation with Dr. Lentz.
