Silicone Implant Breast Augmentation (Preserve, 330 cc)

Treatment details: Silicone Implant Breast Augmentation (Preserve, 330 cc)

A 330cc implant was appropriate here because the patient’s chest width and existing tissue could accommodate that base diameter without stretching the skin envelope. Volume alone does not determine suitability; an implant wider than the chest wall creates lateral fullness that is visible in clothing. The pocket was dissected to match the implant footprint. Three months have passed since the operation. The implants have descended into a natural position from the higher placement seen in early recovery, and the upper slope has softened. Heavy lifting and overhead exercise are restricted during the first six weeks to protect the pocket while it heals.

Chest tightness, swelling and bruising are usual for one to two weeks, and lifting is restricted during that period. Bleeding into the pocket can require a second operation, and infection may mean the implant has to be removed and replaced later. Sensation in the nipple or skin can change and does not always return. Capsular contracture, visible rippling, movement of the implant, rupture and asymmetry are recognized risks that may lead to further surgery. Scars fade but remain. A rare lymphoma associated with implants has been reported. Mammography requires informing the facility.