eMedicine Specialties > Plastic Surgery > Breast

Breast Augmentation, Subglandular: Follow-up

Author: Howard T Bellin, MD, Founder, CosMedica, The Plastic Surgery Center of New York
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jul 10, 2009

Outcome and Prognosis

The implant manufacturers state that their products are not meant to be lifetime devices, but because of their long-term guarantees of replacement, they obviously hope that they will be used over the patient's life.

Overall, the author has found a high degree of patient satisfaction with subglandular placement of breast implants and recommends that approach. Whatever the complications with hardness or rippling, almost no one asks for the removal of the implants.

Breast augmentation, subglandular. Very small A c...

Breast augmentation, subglandular. Very small A cup to C cup.

Breast augmentation, subglandular. Very small A c...

Breast augmentation, subglandular. Very small A cup to C cup.



Breast augmentation, subglandular. A cup to Large...

Breast augmentation, subglandular. A cup to Large B cup.

Breast augmentation, subglandular. A cup to Large...

Breast augmentation, subglandular. A cup to Large B cup.



Breast augmentation, subglandular. This patient w...

Breast augmentation, subglandular. This patient wanted much less drooping. B cup and significant drooping to D cup.

Breast augmentation, subglandular. This patient w...

Breast augmentation, subglandular. This patient wanted much less drooping. B cup and significant drooping to D cup.



Breast augmentation, subglandular. Small B cup an...

Breast augmentation, subglandular. Small B cup and significant drooping to D cup.

Breast augmentation, subglandular. Small B cup an...

Breast augmentation, subglandular. Small B cup and significant drooping to D cup.

Future and Controversies

A device is presently under investigation that stretches the skin externally and supposedly causes proliferation of the underlying tissue to provide an enlargement of the breast of up to one cup size. While the author believes not many patients will opt for this device because it is cumbersome to use, he also believes that its efficacy and the permanence of the result have yet to be demonstrated.

Saline breast implants have some serious disadvantages, especially regarding how they feel and the occurrence of rippling. In addition, silicone implants are undergoing clinical trials in which the author is participating, and the author believes they will be available for general cosmetic use within a few years.

 


More on Breast Augmentation, Subglandular

Overview: Breast Augmentation, Subglandular
Workup: Breast Augmentation, Subglandular
Treatment: Breast Augmentation, Subglandular
Follow-up: Breast Augmentation, Subglandular
Multimedia: Breast Augmentation, Subglandular
References

References

  1. Eldor L, Weissman A, Fodor L, Carmi N, Ullmann Y. Breast augmentation under general anesthesia versus monitored anesthesia care: a retrospective comparative study. Ann Plast Surg. Sep 2008;61(3):243-6. [Medline].

  2. Handel N, Jensen JA, Black Q, et al. The fate of breast implants: a critical analysis of complications and outcomes. Plast Reconstr Surg. Dec 1995;96(7):1521-33. [Medline].

  3. Tarpila E, Ghassemifar R, Fagrell D, Berggren A. Capsular contracture with textured versus smooth saline-filled implants for breast augmentation: a prospective clinical study. Plast Reconstr Surg. Jun 1997;99(7):1934-9. [Medline].

  4. Baker JL. Augmentation mammoplasty, a personal approach. In: Marsh JL, ed. Current Therapy in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Mosby-Year Book; 1989:1-9.

  5. Gutowski KA, Mesna GT, Cunningham BL. Saline-filled breast implants: a Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation multicenter outcomes study. Plast Reconstr Surg. Sep 1997;100(4):1019-27. [Medline].

  6. Hidalgo DA. Breast augmentation: choosing the optimal incision, implant, and pocket plane. Plast Reconstr Surg. May 2000;105(6):2202-16; discussion 2217-8. [Medline].

  7. Spear S, ed. Surgery of the Breast, Principles and Art. 1998:845-917.

Further Reading

Keywords

breast augmentation, subglandular, subglandular breast implants, breast implants, breast implant surgery, saline implant, silicone implant, submuscular implant, over the muscle implant, capsular contracture, fibrous capsular contracture, baker system, Baker classification, breast symmetry, breast asymmetry, rippled implants, wrinkled implants, implant ripple, breast ptosis, micromastia, breast anatomy, breast pictures, breast surgery, inflatable implant, inframammary incision, inframammary fold, IMF, smooth-walled implant, round implant, textured implant, teardrop implant, infection, postoperative bleeding, deflation, implant deflation, closed capsulotomy, implant rippling, implant wrinkling

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Howard T Bellin, MD, Founder, CosMedica, The Plastic Surgery Center of New York
Howard T Bellin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Medical Association, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Medical Society of the State of New York, New York Academy of Medicine, New York Academy of Sciences, and New York County Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Pankaj Tiwari, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, Ohio State University
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Saleh M Shenaq, MD†, Former Director and Founder, The International Brachial Plexus Institute; Former Chief, Section of Plastic Surgery, Methodist Hospital, Houston
Saleh M Shenaq, MD† is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Hand Surgery, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Burn Association, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Surgeons, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, American Medical Association, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Society of Gene Therapy, American Society of Law Medicine and Ethics, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Trauma Society, Association for Academic Surgery, International College of Surgeons, Lipoplasty Society of North America, Plastic Surgery Research Council, Society for Neuroscience, Society of Surgical Oncology, Southern Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD, Director, Colorado Plastic Surgery Center
Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Lars M Vistnes, MD, FRCSC, FACS, Professor of Surgery, Emeritus, Stanford University Medical Center
Lars M Vistnes, MD, FRCSC, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
HONcode

We subscribe to the
HONcode principles of the
Health On the Net Foundation

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright© 1994- by Medscape.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.