BREAST SURGERY

BREAST AUGMENTATION

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular procedures in aesthetic surgery throughout the world. It is more commonly known as a “boob job”. Breast augmentation or mammoplasty is surgery to enhance breast size. A detailed and thorough physical examination is performed at the time of the consultation to assess the optimal choice of implants to achieve the desired result.  

For this procedure, the plastic surgeon inserts the breast implants either under the breast tissue, or partially or completely under the chest muscles. Primarily, breast augmentation can be done to improve one’s self-confidence, but it may also be done to reconstruct the breast after breast cancer.

Breast augmentation may be performed to enlarge the female breast for a number of reasons:

• To enhance the body contour of a woman, who for personal reasons feels that her breast size is too small.
• To correct a loss in breast volume after pregnancy.
• To balance breast size, when there is a significant difference between the size of the two breasts.
• To restore breast shape after partial or total loss of the breasts for various conditions.
• To correct a failure for breast development due to a severe breast abnormality.
• To correct or improve results of existing breast implants for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons.

Dr Sooka performs breast augmentation surgery in Sandton at the Mediclinic Sandton hospital and at the Melrose Surgical Centre, in Johannesburg. He utilizes the latest and best techniques to achieve natural results. 

PROCEDURE

A single incision is made in the crease beneath each breast, also known as the inframammary fold. The procedure then entails separating the breast tissue from the chest wall’s connective tissue and muscle. To prepare the breast for the implant,  a pocket is created either in front of or behind the pectoral muscle.  The implant is then inserted into this pocket and then positioned to optimise the aesthetic outcome.

Dr Sooka utilises silicone implants in his practice. Once satisfied with the alignment and position of the implants, the incision is sutured closed.  The wounds are dressed, and a supportive post-operative bra is applied.

RECOVERY

A certain degree of tenderness is to be expected after surgery, but this usually subsides within a few weeks. Pain medication is prescribed by the surgeon to alleviate this. During this time of healing, patients are expected to wear a sports bra or compression bandage to help support the position of the new implants.

The breasts will be sore, tender and take some time to get used to. It’s ideal that while recovering, women avoid intense physical activity or sudden, strong movement. A gradual return to normal activities will be implemented at various stages during the recovery period. It will take a few months for the breasts to settle into their new shape and position.