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Breast augmentation surgery illustrations

The surgical procedure for breast enlargement regularly requires breast implants for satisfactory breast augmentation results. There are a few ways to achieve moderate breast enlargement without implants, but these methods are typically used for a breast reconstruction.  These include using the body’s natural tissues. The relocation of back muscles or abdominal tissues to the breast area are examples of the routine procedures for breast reconstruction but are not considered conventional options for breast enlargement.  The injection of fat into the breast area for breast augmentation is not recommended.

The most common method for breast enlargement in the world is breast augmentation using breast implants.  Two factors in determining the result of any breast augmentation procedure are the condition of the woman’s biological tissue and more importantly, the judgment of an experienced plastic surgeon.  With a wealth of experience and a discerning eye, Dr. Michael J. Brown has proven to be an excellent choice.

In sequential order, the following 3-D illustrations present a basic demonstration of a breast augmentation surgery.  The images below are general illustrations and do not incorporate the minute details of the complex breast implant surgery. Although there are 3 common approaches of incision for surgical breast augmentation, the following illustrations reflect an incision made under the breast, which is the most frequent reliable incision.  To understand incision approaches in greater detail, please visit the important information section. 

In this first 3-D illustration, you are viewing the depiction of a woman as she would lie on an operating table.  The marking around the crease of her breast or ‘inframammary fold’ is a pre-operative mark that serves as a reference for the Dr. Brown and will assist in maintaining accuracy during breast augmentation surgery.

This second 3-D illustration demonstrates the surgical breast augmentation incision that is made along the inframammary fold.  The precise location of this incision is dependent on the characteristics of the woman’s biological tissue and the size of the implant she chooses for her breast enlargement.  This incision measures to only 3 centimeters which is just over 1 inch.  In order to expose the breast fat and breast gland, the surgeon will use a small retractor to lift the skin.

In a live surgery, the details of a breast augmentation are difficult for observers to view.  In order to make the aspects of breast augmentation surgery more apparent to you, the following 3-D illustrations show an incision that has been significantly extended for illustration purposes only.  A surgical retractor separates the subcutaneous fat and breast fat so that the pectoral muscle lying underneath is now exposed.  It is under this muscle that the breast implant will be inserted.

Within the upper region of the opening and directly below the retractor the pectoral muscle can be seen.  Along the bottom region of the opening is a muscle that lies in between the ribs.  It is at this stage that a specific division in the pectoral muscle has been made to create the pocket under the muscle.

The 3-D rendering demonstrates how the breast implant is first rolled before being inserted ‘under the muscle’ during a breast augmentation.

The breast implant has now been successfully inserted under the muscle and is prepared to be filled with saline through the fill tube.  A silicone gel breast implant, not shown here, would be pre-filled and would therefore require no filling tube.

Now that the breast implant has been successfully filled, the fill tube is removed. The breast implant position is verified and confirmed at this point. The other breast implant is augmented in the same manner.  Before the wounds are stitched up, both breast implants are compared for symmetry and size.  The stitches used are dissolvable and are placed into three separate tissue layers. 

As seen in this final 3-D illustration, the wound is now closed.  The stitches that are seen are removed in the first post operative visit and will leave no dotted markings on either side of the thin scar along the breast crease.

In order to view a live demonstration of an actual breast augmentation surgery video go to the streaming video page. If you are seriously considering breast augmentation, it is critical that you read and understand the consent forms before any plastic surgical procedure. 

This web site has been designed and created to assist in providing information about breast implants, and breast enhancement surgeries including breast augmentation. It is not meant to replace an informed consent document, or a visit with your plastic surgeon. This web site is for informational purposes only and not intended to provide medical advice.