Breast Prosthesis – Breast Implant

A “breast prosthesis” is a type of surgical implant used to change the size and shape of breast tissue. Breast prostheses can be used for aesthetic or reconstructive (repair) purposes.

Aesthetic breast prostheses are used to change breast size, shape or symmetry, while reconstructive breast prostheses are used to replace or reconstruct breast tissue lost due to breast cancer or other traumas.

Breast prostheses are usually made of materials such as silicone on the outer shells and silicone gel or salt water as the inner filling material, and are placed inside the breast tissue. However, some risks and side effects of wearing breast prosthesis can be observed from time to time, so it is important to apply a plastic surgeon who is an expert in the field.

Types of Breast Prosthesis

Breast prostheses can differ in various shapes, sizes, materials and placement methods. Here are some commonly used options for breast prostheses:

• Filling material: Silicone gel, saline or hydrogel are used as the inner filling material of the prosthesis.
• Shape: Prostheses are round or anatomical (drop-shaped).
• Size: Sizes can range from smaller prostheses to larger breast augmentation prostheses.
• Placement Method: Prostheses can be placed under the breast tissue or under the pectoral muscle.
• Coating: Smooth (flat) or textured (rough) material can be used as a surface coating.
• Function: Breast prostheses used for reconstructive (repair) reasons may sometimes differ from breast prostheses used for aesthetic purposes. Reconstructive breast prostheses are used to rebuild breast tissue lost after surgery due to breast cancer.

Different combinations of these options allow each patient to customize their breast prosthesis. However, in order to decide which prosthesis is suitable for you, it is important to consult an experienced plastic surgeon and act according to your surgeon’s recommendations.

How is Breast Prosthesis Implementation Made?

It is usually performed under general anesthesia. The following steps are a general summary of breast prosthesis application:

1. Preparation: Before the operation, the general health of the patient is assessed  and medical tests are performed when necessary. The surgeon collects detailed information about the patient’s breast size, shape and symmetry. Talk openly and clearly about the results that the patient expects.
2. Anesthesia: General anesthesia is applied to the patient. This ensures that the patient is asleep and pain-free.
3. Incision: The Plastic Surgeon makes an incision under the breast fold or around the nipple. The determination of the incision location depends on the size and placement of the prosthesis, and most importantly, on the preference of the surgeon.
4. Placement: The surgeon places the breast prosthesis. The prosthesis can be placed under the breast tissue or under the pectoral muscle.
5. Suture: The surgeon stitches up the incision and applies a Band-Aid to the wound.
6. Recovery: After the operation, a special bra is worn to support the breast prostheses of the patient. Usually, patients are discharged home one day later and can resume their normal activities. The full recovery process may vary depending on the age, health status of the person and the extent of the surgery performed.

Breast prosthesis implementation differs for each patient and the experience and expertise of the plastic surgeon is of great importance. For this reason, it is important to talk openly with your surgeon and ask all your questions about the operation before having a breast prosthesis application.

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Prosthesis Selection in Breast Augmentation