Breast enlargement, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that enhances the upper body contour of a woman who is unhappy with her small breast size. This is perhaps the cosmetic procedure that the public is most familiar with.
Breast enlargement is done by having an implant placed through an incision, under the breast tissue or under the muscle. The incision can be made under the breast, around the nipple or under the arm. A breast implant is composed of an outer silicone shell filled with saline (the use of silicone gel implants are now restricted). The outer surface may be smooth or textured, and implants come in various shapes to meet the individual womans needs.
When the implant is placed under the actual muscle of the breast, there is a lower chance of contracture (contraction of the tissue surrounding the implant), and mammography is more reliable. There is also less risk of visible or palpable implant edges. The down side is that there are some people who believe the implant has a more natural appearance when placed above the muscle, under the breast tissue.
The shape of augmented breasts depends on the implant. ...