Breast augmentation is a very popular surgery that has become a viable solution for a variety of problems that confront modern women. To help you determine whether or not breast augmentation is the right choice for you, here is an overview of how it works and what the benefits are.

What is Breast Augmentation?

There are two main types of augmentation that you should be aware of.

Breast Implants - You are probably most familiar with breast implants, which are fairly simple. Implants are usually made of either silicone or gel are are inserted on top of the chest muscle tissue via small incisions near the breast. Depending on the size of the implants relative to your body, the cuts might be on the underside of your breasts, the external sides of your breasts, or near the nipple. As you might expect, the cuts will be visible and tender for quite a while after the procedure. During the procedure, you will be given some anesthetic. Thankfully, the entire procedure only lasts a couple of hours if everything goes according to plan.

Fat Transfer Augmentation - There is another option, known as fat transfer augmentation. In fat transfer augmentation, fat will be taken from other parts of your body and inserted into the breast tissue. If you have some objection to an implant in your body, then you might be more comfortable with the redistribution of fat in your body. However, you don't have as much choice in a fat transfer augmentation as you might have with implants. You won't have as much control over your final breast size and it might take multiple visits and surgeries to get the desired result. It's also much more permanent than breast implants.

Why Get Breast Augmentation?

Women elect to get breast augmentation for a huge variety of reasons.

• Self-Esteem - Many women are unhappy with the current size of their breasts. By increasing their breast size, women can potentially become more confident and happier.
• Balance - Both in terms of symmetry and weight distribution, women might want to change the size of their breasts. If one breast is larger or smaller than the other, breast augmentation can create a more symmetrical appearance.
• Reconstruction - Finally, women who have lost breasts to injuries or mastectomies can benefit greatly from breast augmentation. When doctors are rebuilding the breasts of cancer survivors, they often use breast augmentation to complete the process. 

For more information, contact a professional like those at Laufer Institute of Plastic Surgery.