Breast enlargement, or augmentation, is one of the most popular aesthetic operations in women.
Women who wish to enlarge their breasts can do this for a number of reasons. Some women are born with a tendency to develop small or asymmetrical breasts, which is often hereditary. In other cases involutionary changes after pregnancy and breast feeding, can cause a reduction and sagging of the breasts. Others have average proportions but desire larger breasts.

By inserting an implant behind each breast, the breast projection can be enlarged by one or more bra cup sizes.
Several types of implants are available today. Roughly, breast prostheses can be divided in silicone and saline filled implants. There is a variety of shapes and sizes utilized for breast augmentation, depending on the particular needs of the patient and the preferences of the surgeon.

The outer shell of saline and silicone filled implants is made of silicone. Saline, the same substance used in intravenous solutions, is made up of salt water that is easily absorbed by the body and has absolutely no deleterious effects.

The silicone filled implants are filled with a soft and semi liquid silicone gel.
Silicone breast implants have been used since the l960's for cosmetic purposes and for breast reconstruction in women who have undergone mastectomies

Breast implants can be inserted through a number of different incisions.
One incision for insertion of the implant is through the axilla or arm pit, called the trans-axillary approach. A second incision can be made in the natural crease under the breast, called the infra-mammary crease approach. A third approach is to make the incision at the junction of the colored part around the nipple, called the areola, and the natural skin. This is called the peri-areolar approach. Each of these approaches has its advantages and disadvantages. Which one is utilized depends on the patient's natural anatomy and patient's and surgeon's preferences.

The implant can be placed either above or below the chest muscle, the pectoralis major, and each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages.

the recovery

Most patients will usually experience a moderate to significant amount of discomfort for the first several days after surgery. Pain medications are usually necessary to alleviate the discomfort. During the first few weeks the use of a supportive bra is advised.  The breasts are sensitive to direct stimulation for two to three weeks. Most patients are able to return to work within a few days, depending on the level of activity required.
Full exercise may be resumed after four weeks. The scars are usually red to pink for the first few months. After that they start to fade, but in most cases they stay visible and sometimes may even widen.

While there is no evidence that breast implants cause breast cancer, they may change the way mammography is done to detect cancer. Special techniques are required to get a reliable x-ray of a breast with an implant. Ultrasound examinations may be of benefit in some women with implants to detect breast lumps or to evaluate the implant.
Routine mammograms should be continued after breast augmentation for women who are in the appropriate age group, although the mammographic technician should use a special technique to assure a reliable reading.