Breast Implants.What to know before Surgery

What are Breast Implants?

A breast implant is a medical prosthesis made of medical silicon used to augment, reconstruct, or recreate the physical form of breasts.

What shape?

There are two main shapes. Anatomical implants look like teardrops and they can give the breast a natural shape. They can only be oriented in one way, so the pocket has to be very precise in order to avoid rotation leaving the breast looking misshaped. The implant will feel firmer as it is more solid in order to keep its shape.

Round implants are used more commonly as they feel softer and the orientation does not matter, making the surgery much easier. In very thin patients with little breast volume though will make the breast look unnatural.

Under or over the muscle?

The placement over the muscle is easier and the recovery is more straightforward with less pain. The breast animations due to the muscle movements are eliminated, thus achieving a more natural result.  Never the less edge visibility and palpability can become an issue in thinner patients with little breast volume. 

The placement under the muscle cause more pain and the recovery takes longer. Contraction of the muscle may cause distortion of the breast during movements. It is the only option in thin patients with minimal breast tissue.

For how long?

New breast implants do have the possibility of lasting a lifetime. They need to be changed only if you have problems with them. However due to aging, pregnancies and breast feeding, the breast tissue will lose its elasticity and sag, while the implant remains at the original location. That’s why a second operation might need to elevate the breast after several years.

Which size?

You should not choose the size based on the size of your best friends implants or your favorite actress. Each breast is unique and needs a unique evaluation. The breast implant is for the whole life and not for a couple of months. The bigger the size the more the complications the less will last. Your plastic surgeon will measure your breast and let you know the most appropriate size for you.

Any serious complications?

The most feared complication is the capsular contracture (hardening of the breast area around the implant). This can cause pain and deform the breasts.  Its frequency may range between 5-15% off all breast enlargements and in severe cases a second operation will be needed to change the implants. Other complications that they may need a second surgery are hematomas (collection of blood), implant displacement and infections. Rupture of the breast implant (a tear or hole in the implant) it’s a rare complication. There are no proven associations between implants and connective tissue diseases, autoimmune diseases, breast cancer or reproductive problems.

Overall breast enlargement is a safe procedure but you should aim for a small natural breast and should assume that you will need to have additional surgeries.

Neck Lift

Neck liposuction is performed on patients who have persistent fat deposits below the chin and in the neck area. When fat accumulates around the neck, the youthful shape of the jaw is lost. Liposuction removes that fat and by causing a skin contraction the angular qualities of the chin and neck can be restored, achieving a neck lift.

Liposuction can be performed in the surgeon's office. The technique involves the injection of diluted lidocaine (local anesthetic) and epinephrine (drug that shrinks vessels) into the fat under the skin. The local anesthetic lidocaine in the tumescent solution provides such complete local anesthesia, that it eliminates the need for general anesthesia, or sedation.

As a result the patient can return home immediately, the pain during the procedure and the following days is minimized, the bruising is minimal and the recovery is very fast.

Treatment cost 700 euro.

For more information

Dr Ioannis Georgiou

Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction In Men

Liposuction is becoming more and more common among the male population. The most common areas treated are the stomach (abdomen) and the chest (gynecomastia). Fat accumulation in these areas is sometimes unresponsive to diet and exercise. Thus many patients find liposuction surgery very beneficial to achieve their overall appearance goals.

The technique involves the injection of large volumes of diluted lidocaine (local anesthetic) and epinephrine (drug that shrinks vessels) into the fat under the skin, in local anesthesia. The lidocaine provides such complete local anesthesia, that it eliminates the need for general anesthesia, or IV sedation “twilight sleep” during the lipo.

As a result the patient can return home almost immediately, the pain during the procedure and the following days is minimized, the bruising is minimal and the recovery is very fast. The new technique has eliminated the dangers and complications associated with the older forms of liposuctions in general anesthesia.

Price usually range between 2000-2500 euros.

Click hier for more information.

Dr Ioannis Georgiou

Plastic Surgeon.