Magazine Article - Lifestyle

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Boom or bust

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Constantly unsatisfied with our looks, repeatedly we ask, “Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of us all?”

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Women agonise over different parts of the body, and no one woman has the same problem area. It may be thunder thighs for one, a big backside for others, or a pregnant-looking tummy that the rest are trying to eradicate. But all of us are united by one similar quest –the endless pursuit to enhance the size and shape of our breasts.

The boob job Disparate breast sizes can be fixed with breast enlargement (augmentation mammoplasty). And of course, if you want bigger ones, the plastic surgeon can help.

We interviewed Dr Wong SY, Consultant Plastic Surgeon from Wong’s Plastic Surgery Centre, Gleneagles Medical Centre to find out what the options are.

“Choices of saline or silicone implants are available. Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water and should a leakage occur, the saline will be readily absorbed and expelled by the body,” she said.

Saline vs. silicone On one hand, saline implants are safe. But on the other, the effects of a leak can be seen almost immediately !

Additionally, saline implants allow women to increase or decrease the size of their assets by adding or removing saline, should it be required.

Silicone implants however are filled with elastic gel and give a natural look and texture. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or escape into the breast implant pocket.

Thus the breast still looks and feels the same.

Regular visits to your surgeon are necessary to ensure that the implants remain in good condition. Should you change your mind about how you look, the size of the silicone can only be replaced through an operation.

Now off to the theatre!

Dr Wong explained that based on the condition of your breasts and skin tone, the most appropriate surgical techniques will be recommended.

The insertion of the implants can be made either through an opening in the crease where the breast meets the chest, around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple), or in the armpit. The pocket can be made either directly behind the breast tissue or underneath your chest wall muscle. Placing under the chest wall muscle may interfere less with breast examination by mammogram but may be more painful for a few days after surgery.

The different techniques available can be discussed with your surgeon. Presently, injection fillers are available but generally not recommended.

Dr Wong advised that any operation is accompanied by risks and in this case, deflation, formation of scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture), bleeding, or infection can occur.

Increase or decrease in sensitivity of nipples or breast skin has been reported. These symptoms usually disappear with time, but may be permanent in some cases. There is no evidence that breast implants cause breast cancer but mammograms should be specially taken to screen out early cases.

Breast Lifts These are similar to facelifts. If your breasts are sagging, a breast lift (mastopexy) may be performed together with breast augmentation to raise and firm the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. This can often be done at the same time as your augmentation or in another surgery.

Breast Reduction Some of us desire to have a fuller cup while other ladies are troubled by chronic back, neck and shoulder pain and deteriorating posture due to large breasts size. Breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) removes excess fat, tissue and skin to achieve a proportional breast size and alleviate the discomfort.

According to Dr Wong, excess fat may be removed through liposuction in conjunction with the excision techniques.

Liposuction may also be performed alone for breasts that have a lot of fat tissue.

If you are planning for babies, the breast reduction surgery should be postponed as milk production will be reduced after the surgery.

Newton’s law of boobs Over time, our breasts (and the shape of the implants) can change due to pregnancy, aging, weight fluctuations, hormonal changes, menopause and of course, gravity. More surgeries may then be required to replace the implants or restore your youthful contours.

Hence, weigh the pros and the cons and find a surgeon that you can trust and relate to for the long term. Discuss frankly your expectations and needs. Be fully informed of the alternatives, risks and limitations. Your decision will be a personal one.