...Breast augmentation is a procedure designed to increase the size of the breasts, usually for women either with naturally small breasts or whose breasts have diminished in size following pregnancy (providing that they have not 'dropped' too much, in which case an operation known as mastopexy would be necessary).

The procedure involves the insertion of a prosthesis (implant), which is put behind the breast or the pectoralis major muscle. In either case, it is not within the breast tissue itself. . The degree to which the presence of an implant will affect mammography depends on the type of implant used (see later).
Mammography is possible with any type of breast implant, but it is important that, should it be required, a radiographer is aware that the implants are present so that the direction of the x-rays can be altered slightly to accommodate for it.

Silicone Gel
Breast augmentation has a very long history, prosthetics (artificial material) having been in common usage since 1962. By far the most frequently used since this time has been silicone gel contained within a silicone envelope.

Recently there has been a great deal of publicity, mainly emanating from the United States, about the safety or otherwise of silicone gel in breast augmentation. Some of what has been written is accurate and reasonable, but much of it is not.
It is important to stress that there is certainly no association between breast augmentation and breast cancer - if anything, women who have had an augmentation have a slightly lower incidence of breast cancer than the population at large.

The government in the UK set up an Independent Review Group (IRG), which reported in the latter part of 1998 and found no association between the use of silicone gel for breast augmentation and any disease process. As far as human adjuvant disease is concerned, it concluded that there was no justification for continuing epidemiological studies into a link since, having reviewed the evidence available, they felt that there was no reason to suspect any such association.




Implants in general

There are two main types of implant available. They are both made of a silicone rubber envelope. One is filled with silica gel and the other with sterile salt water (saline).

There have been other types of implants, but none of these are approved by the Department of Health because there isn't enough information available on their long term safety.

Silicone implants and pregnancy : Everyone agrees that silicone has no effect on conception or the growth of your baby. You can safely breast feed.

Operation

The operation is carried out through a one and a half inch incision (3-5 cm approx.) in a position that is often optional. It is technically possible to choose from three different sites for access although this depends on the size and style of the implant:

1. Axilla (under your arm): The hair bearing skin of the axillae, where it is well concealed.
2. The sub-mammary crease: Just at the level of the natural fold under the breast.
3. The areola: Half a circumference around the nipple.°

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