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Submuscular
Permanent Implant |
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Recreating the
breast mound with a prosthesis (implant) is done by using a
silicone envelope or bag. This contains gel or saline to give it
shape, form and consistency. Implants come in a great many sizes
and shapes, from the very small to the very large, to simulate
the shape and weight of the removed breast. A specific type is
chosen for each individual to produce a new breast and to match
the opposite breast, when possible.
During surgery, usually under a general anesthetic, the implant
is placed beneath the chest muscles through the old mastectomy
scar. This is done to protect the implant by providing
additional soft tissue coverage. Quite often there is sufficient
skin, fat and muscle left behind after the mastectomy to allow
for this. The operation may take a few hours, but the hospital
stay is brief, not usually requiring an overnight stay.
A moderate amount of swelling and discoloration of the chest
skin may be present for a few weeks. The final shape of the new
mound will take some time – up to a year – before it becomes
established. Some women have moderate discomfort from the
operation for a few days which is usually relieved by pain
medication. Generally, daily regimes can be quickly resumed
(three weeks), except for the most vigorous athletic, work or
household-related activities.
Despite the best intentions of your doctors, complications
cannot always be prevented. The most common complications
include infection, bleeding, and scarring (capsule formation)
around the newly-implanted prosthesis. This latter problem is
not really a complication, but actually a natural means by which
the body isolates man-made materials from body tissues. All
implants cause some capsule formation, but only those that
become very hard or pull on the implant and deform it require
further surgery. Your doctor’s knowledge and awareness of these
potential complications will help to prevent or control them,
should they occur.
In situations when there are inadequate amounts of skin and/or
muscle to cover the implant, or when the surgeon attempts to
match the opposite breast without operating upon it, another
technique known as tissue expansion is utilized.
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Roses Grown and Photographed By
Dr. Jeffrey Rosenthal |
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