Breast surgery is one of the most common types of cosmetic surgery procedure. There are three general categories of surgery performed on the breasts

• Breast augmentation
• Breast reduction
• Breast reconstruction

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure aimed at enhancing the appearance, size, and contour of a woman's breasts. Breast augmentation is done for different reasons such as:

• Enhancing body appearance if you think your breasts are too small or asymmetrical.
• Improving the appearance of breasts post pregnancy.
• Correcting uneven breasts after undergoing breast surgery for other disorders.
• Improving self-confidence.

Breast augmentation is a minimally invasive procedure in which breast implants are used. The implants are placed under or over a chest muscle through incisions made in the armpit, areola or lower breast fold. These implants are generally made up of a silicone shell filled with either saline or silicone gel.

Risks associated with breast augmentation procedure are:

• Distortion of the breast due to capsular contracture of implants.
• Severe pain in the breasts
• Infection at the surgical site
• Changes in nipple and breast sensation
• Leakage or rupture in the implants

Correcting these complications might require further surgery and might need removal or replacement of implants.

What is breast reduction?

Breast reduction surgery or reduction mammaplasty is a surgical procedure used to remove excess fat, glandular tissue and skin from the breasts thereby reducing their size. It is preferred for easing discomfort due to large size and to make their size proportional to the body. Breast reduction can help to resolve issues such as:

• Chronic back, neck and shoulder pain
• Chronic rash or skin irritation in surrounding areas of the breasts
• Nerve pain
• Restricted activity
• Poor self-image

While breast reduction surgery might help improve your self-image and your ability to participate in physical activities, it has its own potential risks like:

• leeding, infection and reactions to anesthesia
• Bruising and scarring
• Loss of sensation in the areolae
• Difficulty or inability to breast-feed
• Differences in the size, shape and symmetry of the surgically altered breats which might need further surgery for correction

What is breast reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction surgery is often preferred by women who undergo breast removal due to cancer. The procedure seeks to recreate a breast with the desired appearance and volume. The breast can be recreated with the help of implants or with the patient's own tissue. At times, a segment of the lower abdominal wall, or a segment from the buttock may be used in creating the breast structure. The areola is recreated using a mound of skin from the nearby areas.

The possible risks of breast reconstruction include

• Beeding
• Infection
• Poor healing of incisions
• Risks related to anesthesia
• Capsular contracture of implants used
• Loss of sensation

Conclusion

Breast surgery is a fairly complicated procedure and it is important to take the services of reputed and experienced breast surgery hospitals for best results.