What if you could take all your unwanted fat and put it where you want it most- on your breasts? That dream has become a reality with autologous augmentation. This technique uses your fatty tissue to touch up your breasts, and they offer a natural feel.

The Problem with Silicone and Saline

Previously, you had two choices for implants: Silicone or saline. We all know that silicone was taken off the market in the 90’s. They were made available again a few years ago, but people are still unsure about the health risks they pose. If a silicone implant ruptures, you could have trouble.

The saline option is much safer, but they don’t feel as natural as silicone. Many people choose them because they are low-risk, but they often make the breasts feel unnaturally hard. Silicone definitely gives you the more natural feel; silicone feels almost exactly like the real thing.

Both silicone and saline have their advantages, and there are lots of happy women out there sporting silicone and saline implants. These gel implants are a great way to enlarge your figure, even though they aren’t perfect. But now there’s an even better way.

Let Your Own Body Be Your Implant!

The beauty of autologous implants is that they come from your own body. The autologous option means that you are not introducing any foreign material into your body. This makes the process a big hit for lovers of all things natural.

Because it uses tissue from your body, this process gives you the most natural augmentation possible. The breasts move just like they should naturally, because much of the tissue that makes up the breast is fat anyway.

Finding a Surgeon To Do Autologous Augmentation

This style of implants is still relatively new and not all doctors can do it. The operation itself is more complex than simply inserting a gel implant. You may find the price a bit higher and the operation time a bit longer. You may also find the recovery period to last longer.

It is also still in its experimental stages, which means that doctors are still learning about better ways to connect the autologous tissue. This procedure has been practiced for years with breast cancer patients who are seeking reconstruction after losing partial or whole breasts.

Autologous fat augmentation is also a great way to reshape breasts that are awkward or uneven. Many women get fat transfer augmentation to contour the chest area so that their shape looks and feels natural. Only in recent years has it been used by plastic surgeons for purely cosmetic reasons.

Still, autologous augmentation offers a great alternative to the old gel implants. It may be worth searching awhile to find the right plastic surgeon to do your breast augmentation surgery. On the other hand, gel implants may be the best way to get the breasts you want. Talk to a plastic surgeon and get their advice on what method is best for you. They will be able to tell you the pros and cons in detail.

A small percentage of women will find themselves returning to their cosmetic surgeons after their first breast augmentation. This can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from health to personal taste. Depending on the specific revision request, you may find yourself undergoing a fairly simple procedure or a much more complex one with a significantly longer recovery period.

Health reasons, although uncommon, often send women back to the plastic surgeon. The most typical complaint and risk associated with breast implants are leaks. Leaks can occur at any time, although they are more frequent in older implants. If you have saline breast implants, ruptures will be noticeable within a few days and fortunately pose no health risks. You will need to have a revision, however, unless you prefer the lopsided look. Saline leaks are more serious and can have damaging effects if not detected early on. Since the substance is thick, it leaks slowly. Often the only way a women discovers the problem is through a mammogram. When a rupture occurs, the implant will have to be replaced, and regardless of your initial incision placement, it is usually done though a cut around the areola. In many instances women take the opportunity to have both implants replaced to prevent the possibility of the second implant leakage.

Another common case for revision is capsular contracture. Capsular contraction can occur in one or both breasts with varying severity. The body tissue constricts tightly around the implant, creating an unappealing and sometimes painful squeezed appearance. There is no specific known cause for the condition, and the only way to treat it is through a revision or complete removal of the implants. Revision surgery can solve the issue, but in some cases it can return you without any change.

Many women will decide that they choose to change the size of their breast implants, either getting them larger or smaller. Smaller implants will require a complete revision and replacement, whereas increasing the size is a much simpler procedure. Saline implants can easily be pumped full of more solution to reach the desired size.

Recovery time will vary for each procedure. A complete revision, one that includes replacement of implants, will feel very similar to the initial breast augmentation, taking one to two weeks to return to normal activities. Increasing the size or complete removal has a much faster recovery time and period of discomfort, sometimes within a matter of days the patient is well recuperated.

You may decide to choose a different plastic surgeon than the one who previously performed your primary operation. If that is the case, it is imperative that you reveal all the details of your previous procedures with him so that he may proceed with the surgery accordingly. Remember that undergoing surgery, even if a revision carries certain risks and not all problems are guaranteed to be fixable. Discuss all possible complications with your doctor before making any decisions and be sure that your expectations of the outcome are realistic. Your positive thinking can give you satisfying results.

The first thing you need to do is begin to learn the terminology, and there’s plenty. When you understand what the surgeon is saying, you’ll be more comfortable, ask fewer questions, and have a consult that’s much smoother because of fewer interruptions while you ask what things mean.

If you used to have great breasts, but, thanks to childbirth, you no longer do, then bring along a picture from when you did. It gives your surgeon a visual, and you aren’t trying to explain what it is you want. If you’ve never had the breasts you are planning to get, then try using the sample implants to discover what size is right for you.

You may be surprised to discover what you thought would look great actually doesn’t. The number one reason for a second procedure is because a patient does not like the implants after she has them. The “try before you buy” approach isn’t fool proof, but it significantly reduces the number of unhappy women.

You need to do a little research too! Find out what the short term and long term effects on the body are, whether you will need repeat surgery and when, the difference between saline and silicone implants, and just about anything else you can. That way, when you go in for your consult, you’ll be an educated patient, and you and your surgeon can discuss all your options with a new found clarity.

There are not only different size breasts, which you and your surgeon will decide on, there are also different shapes and textures, and there are different methods of insertion. All of this will need to be discussed with your plastic surgeon.

Next, you will want to know what you need to do prior to your surgery. Are there any procedures that you must follow, or perhaps you need to see the surgeon prior to your surgery. Generally, you will receive a printout that details exactly what you need to do. After your surgery, you will spend some time in recovery until you are stable. Once you are stable, you will be released into the care of an adult that will stay with you for the first 24 hours. Occasionally, you may be required to stay overnight in the hospital.

Recovery is an important part of your procedure, which is why you must follow the directions given to you by your surgeon. The cost of breast implant surgery can vary, starting around $4000 and going up depending on your surgeon, where the surgery is done, and your surgery itself.

If there is more than one plastic surgeon in your area, you can decide if you want to price check. Always remember that you should always choose the plastic surgeon that you are comfortable with and of course the one with the correct credentials. Some surgeons will actually offer financing plans to patients that qualify. This might be done directly with the surgeon’s office or through a financing company that works with the office. So, if you just don’t have the cash up front, you can still have your breast implant surgery done.

Now that you are better educated about breast implant surgery, you’ll also be more relaxed should you decide to have the procedure done.