Breast augmentation is also widely known as breast enlargement or breast enhancement. The procedure involves placing an implant into the breast area to enhance a woman's figure. This procedure is related to small-breasted women as well as those who complain that their breasts are not proportional.
To some, breast augmentation in not just a surgery but an important key in boosting confidence and self-esteem. Some women who undergo breast augmentation may have already had children and their breasts "shrunk." They opt for breast enhancement so they can get the fullness o f their breasts back, even after childbirth.

Nowadays, breast augmentation is considered as the most common and satisfying cosmetic surgical operation available in the market. Some women even compare getting such to just going to a parlor for a haircut. It's may now even be just as fast as your lunch break!

There are two types of implants you can choose from namely silicon breast implants and saline breast implants. Silicon implants are the preference of most plastic surgeons and considered best breast implants because of the quality of the gel. Silicon gel possess qualities like better cohesiveness, softness, cause less rippling, and has a more natural feel. Although in the early 90s, silicon gel implants were taken off the market for implant leak concerns, it was released back into the market 16 years after but this time, with restrictions.

Another option is the saline implant. Saline implant comes collapsed with a self-sealing valve which is then filled with saline water during the operation. The advantage of this type of implant is that it can be placed in a very small incision which means, the scar that will be produced is smaller. However, saline implants may have that heavier feel and sloshing or rippling effects. This is the reason why most prefer silicon over saline implants.

If you are at least 18 years old with a developed body and has already reached a certain level of maturity enough to understand the implications of the breast augmentation procedure, then you are an eligible candidate for the breast augmentation procedure. A certain level of maturity both physically and emotionally is needed in handling and going through the procedure. As long as you're healthy, whether you're 60 years old or even older, you may undergo beast enlargement surgery.

Of course the main and most obvious benefit of breast augmentation is enhanced body figure and fuller breasts. For those who've undergone childbirth in the past and those who've had breast cancer undergo breast augmentation to restore their breasts.

Procedures can be performed in a doctor's office, in a surgery center or in a hospital. Upon consultation, make sure to ask about all safety factors with the doctor. It is also important to do your own research to obtain more information and knowledge regarding the procedure you will be taking.

In selecting a doctor, it is important that the breast implant surgeon is board certified. This way, we can ensure that this practitioner is authorized to perform the said procedure. It's better if the breast implant surgeon has affiliation/s to local hospital/s as this builds a better track record for the practitioner. Being affiliated to a local hospital means he/she is peer reviewed on a regular basis. Personal references may also help you find a good doctor you can trust your body and build great rapport with.

For the breast enhancement procedure, there are 4 different types of placement you can choose from. Options differ according to where incisions will be made. The two more common incisions are done on the border of the areola or underneath the breast at the fold. The incisions will only be around an inch or half of an inch in length depending upon the type of implant and appearance of the breast. The two less common incisions on the other hand are on the armpit or through the belly button.

The patient will also be asked to decide where to place the implant. It could either be immediately behind the breast itself, above the muscle or further back, below the muscle. It is more advisable to opt for the latter one because implants will be less detectible especially for thin-skinned persons. This also makes it easier to image the breast as of mammography and MRI because it interferes less with the breast tissue directly. Also, there's lesser likelihood of developing a scar tissue.

It is advised that a few visits are made before the procedure so there will be a good understanding of what to expect in the operation, and other sensitive issues surrounding the operation. The patient must be in good health as possible when she undergoes the procedure. She must not have any form of infection of colds on the day of the operation.

Prior to the procedure, markings will be made on the chest to allow proper placement.

A day or two after the procedure, the patient may feel moderate discomfort. To aid this, pain medications will be given to the patient. Breast augmentation recovery doesn't take that long. As a matter of fact, the patient can be back at work between 3-5 days and be in full activity between 2-3 weeks.
The patient will be asked to immediately return to office 2-3 days after the operation for initial examination. This is to ensure that there is no excessive bleeding or swelling of the operated area.

Massage routine will then be conducted in the future. Here, implants will be moved and mobilized a bit to help them accommodate to the space that has been created beneath the muscle. The patient will be asked to wear a post-surgical bra full time for her first week.
Ten days to 2 weeks after, the patient will again be asked to return to office for stitch removal. She will also be asked to come back for multiple check ups after a month, 6 months and 1 year.

Breast augmentation cost range from $3,500 - $8,000. Breast enhancement cost actually varies geographically and from doctor to center. Although there are a lot of providers that offer cheap breast augmentation services, health care and saving money-combination may not be the smartest thing. Since this operation is sensitive in nature, it is best to choose according to the qualifications of the doctor and not just based on cheap breast implants cost.

Be reminded that breast augmentation prices will include the fee for the doctor, fee for the anesthesiologist and fee for the facility.

A lot suspect that getting breast implants will have negative health effects to the woman like greater risks of developing breast cancer in the future. This is a big misconception. There are no existing evidences that breast augmentation cause breast cancer.

However, if you have a strong history of breast cancer, it is best not to undergo breast augmentation. This is for the reason that although detection of breast cancer is not seriously compromised when breast augmentation is undergone, it is true that there could be a slight difficulty.

The primary complication of breast augmentation is reoperation because of infections, excessive bleeding, size considerations, implant failure or scare tissue formations. Breast augmentation has low risk factors though and these incidents can be controlled.