Breast augmentation and breast implant surgery are two names for what is essentially the same procedure. These cosmetic surgeries involve placing silicone or saline implants into the breast in order to enhance size, shape and volume.

You may also see fat transfer referenced under the umbrella of breast augmentation, but this option is less common.

Breast augmentation or breast enhancement surgery, as it is sometimes called, is a very common operation. There are many different ways to approach the procedure, and how it is done is dependent on the patient’s anatomy and what their desires are for the outcome of the surgery, and what volume they are trying to achieve with the enhancement.

The majority of women want to look more balanced in their figure and most of them do not want everyone to know that they have had their breasts operated on. Most frequently, it is women who have had children. They have lost some of the volume after they have breast fed so they would like to have that volume returned, they like the breast-feeding look. There are other women who have never really developed breasts and feel that they would really like to feel more normal. It is very rare that a patient will request having something that is not esthetically symmetrical for their body habitus.

The implants can be saline, they can be gel, there are different shapes, there are different surfaces on the implant and a type of implant a patient has, again, it will be dependent on their anatomy. Therefore, it is best for the patient to seek a consultation from a surgeon to define what would work best for them because it is not the same operation for everybody. Something that breast augmentation patients need to be reminded of, is that it is individualized for their needs and their physique.

The operation takes about an hour and a half. It is done under a general anesthetic. Patients are discharged the same day from surgery. They should be able to resume normal activities after about two weeks. The patients interested in pursuing the operation, they should speak to their family doctor, and be referred to a surgeon who does that operation. Often seeing a local family physician or a physiotherapist in conjunction with a registered dietitian and athletic therapist is a great option to take control of this condition. Smart Food Now and exercise is also optominal for overall health. Presenter: Dr. Nancy Van Laeken, Plastic Surgeon, Vancouver, BC

Now Health Network  Local Practitioners: Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants are very safe. There are a number of different varieties available on the market today. Some are filled with saline, some are filled with silicone and the silicone has different properties. There are many different implants in terms of shape, size and volume, and the selection that is made for the patient is dependent on what their anatomy is and what the outcome is that they are trying to achieve.

Younger patients may want more fullness in the upper pole of the breast or the patient may not want to have that shape but want to have some the skin filled out in the lower pole of the breast, so those discussions are had with the patient and the surgeon who will be doing the operation.

Sometimes saline is selected and other times one of the various types of gel implants are selected. So again, I would suggest that the patient seek a consultation and spend sometime discussing what the options are with a surgeon who will be doing the procedure. Presenter: Dr. Nancy Van Laeken, Plastic Surgeon, Vancouver, BC

Local Practitioners: Plastic Surgeon