When it comes to breast surgery, many complicating terms are used to describe the implants, the procedure, risks and complications. The information provided to you in this article will help you sort through the medical jargon associated with breast augmentation surgery.
Still have questions? Make sure you consult with your doctor about any terms they use you are not familiar with. Remember knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your body! Do not be afraid to ask your doctor about any terms he or she uses you are not familiar with.
Most of the common terms associated with breast surgery are provided below. If you come across a word you do not know, write it down, and send it to us. We will do our best to include it in our glossary.
Areola - This is the darkened part of the breast that houses the nipple. Some women have very large areola and some very small. This is one of the locations a plastic surgeon can make an incision to place a breast implant.
Autoimmune Diseases - This term describes many different chronic diseases that affect the tissues in the body. If someone has an autoimmune disorder or disease, their body attacks its own immune system, recognizing human tissue as foreign tissue. Some examples include rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. For some time researchers had concerns that breast surgery may increase one's risk of developing autoimmune diseases, but there is not enough research to support this statement today.
Axillary Insertion - Axillary insertion refers to the insertion of a breast implant in the armpit of a woman. This is a common place for doctors to insert breast implants.
Breast - The part of the chest containing the mammary glands, which produce milk. The breast consists mostly of fatty tissue and ducts that allow milk to flow from when a woman nurses.
Breast Enlargement - Often called "breast augmentation" this describes plastic surgery to increase the size of the breasts. Typically a saline filled or silicon-gel implant is placed in a pocket created in the chest, which then becomes the new augmented breast.
Capsular Contracture - This is a complication of breast surgery resulting when the breast implant ruptures or deflates, causing a need for corrective surgery to replace the ruptured implant.
Incision - The place on the body a surgeon cuts so an implant can be placed. Common places for an incision for breast surgery include under the breast, around the areola, under the armpit and through the abdomen via the navel. Only saline implants can be placed through the navel, because the surgeon needs to implant them while empty, and then fill them with saline solution once they are placed in the breast pocket. Some women prefer this option because it leaves almost no evidence of breast surgery.
Mammogram - A mammogram is a specific form of X-ray that provides doctors with an image of breast tissue. Mammograms commonly help doctors detect lumps in the breast which may be cancerous.
Pocket - A "pocket" or space in the area between the breast and chest a doctor creates so he or she can place an artificial breast implant.
Saline Implants - These are breast implants created from a silicone shell that is filled with a solution of sodium chloride or salt.
Silent Rupture - A complication of silicone breast augmentation, where the silicone-gel capsule collapses or ruptures, but the rupture is not visible unless the patient undergoes an MRI screening.
Silicone Implants - These are implants made of a silicone outer shell and silicone gel interior. Silicone is a manufactured substance that used to be the basis for all breast implants.