Anaesthesia
Loss of feeling or awareness that is induced and monitored during a surgical procedure. General anaesthesia, which produces an unconscious state, is commonly used during breast augmentation surgery.
Anatomical
Refers to shaped or contoured breast implants that are designed to give the breasts a natural shape.
Areola
The area of darker tissue that surrounds the nipple and which contain the Montgomery’s glands.
Armpit incision
An incision used in breast augmentation surgery made in the armpit. Also called the transaxillary incision.
Asymmetry
Refers to a woman’s breasts that differ in size, shape and/or position. Most women actually have some degree of asymmetry, but significant asymmetry after breast augmentation may require an adjustment procedure.
Augmentation mammoplasty
A procedure to reshape and enlarge the breast for cosmetic reasons or to reconstruct the breast.
Band size
A measurement is taken around the body, underneath the breasts to determine the band length of a bra. Expressed as a number that precedes the cup size to indicate the overall bra size, e.g. 42C.
Bilateral
Pertains to corresponding parts on both sides of the body, such as referring to both the left and right breasts.
Biopsy
Removal of sample tissue to test for cancer, including breast cancer.
Bottoming out
Occurs when the breast implant is positioned too low on the chest and the nipple rides too high, resulting in an unnatural look.
Breast augmentation
A surgical procedure designed to enhance or restore the size and shape of the breasts.
Breast examinations
Mammograms, breast physical examinations and breast self-examinations are the screening tests used to detect breast cancer and save many lives each year.
Breastfeeding
The practice of a woman feeding her infant with milk produced naturally by her breasts. The majority of women who receive breast implants are able to successfully breastfeed, though women who have a nipple incision are at greater risk for problems.
Breast implants
A silicone rubber shell filled with saline solution or silicone gel used in cosmetic or reconstructive breast surgery.
Breast lift
A procedure to lift and reshape sagging breasts. A breast lift can be performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation or breast reduction. Also known as a mastopexy.
Breast pocket
The ‘pocket’ created by the plastic surgeon in which to place the breast implant during breast augmentation surgery.
Breast reconstruction
Many different techniques are used to reconstruct a breast following a mastectomy or to correct breast deformities. Breast reconstruction techniques use either breast implants or a woman’s own tissues to create a new, natural-looking breast.
Breast reduction
A procedure to reduce the size of large breasts. Breast reduction is performed for physical relief as well as for cosmetic reasons.
Capsular contracture
The most common complication of breast augmentation surgery, capsular contracture occurs when the scar capsule surrounding the breast implant shrinks and squeezes the implant. Surgical correction may be required in cases of very firm contraction.
Capsule
A scar capsule of dense fibrous connective tissue forms around any foreign object introduced into the body, in this case surrounding the breast implants.
Cleavage
The space between a woman’s breasts, especially as revealed by clothing with a low neckline.
Consultation
Meeting you will have with a plastic surgeon prior to breast augmentation surgery.
Contralateral
Pertains to corresponding parts on the opposite sides of the body, such as referring to the left or right breast.
Cosmetic surgery
Surgery to improve one’s appearance for aesthetic reasons, rather than for reasons of medical necessity.
Cup size
A measurement taken around the body, at the fullest point of the breasts to determine the cup size of a bra. Expressed as a letter that follows the band size to indicate the overall bra size, e.g. 42C.
Deflation/Rupture
Occurs when a breast implant leaks and is evidenced by a loss of size or change in shape of the affected breast. Saline leakage is not a health risk, though surgery to replace or remove the implant may be required.
DIEP flap breast reconstruction
A breast reconstruction method where skin from the lower abdomen is used to form a new, natural-looking breast.
Displacement
Occurs when breast implants move out of position. Larger movements, though uncommon, may require corrective surgery.
Dissection
To part tissue, such as during a medical procedure.
Expander implant
A temporary breast implant used during breast augmentation or breast reconstruction to stretch the breast tissue prior to placement of a permanent implant.
Infection
A complication of breast augmentation surgery that is uncommon but possible as with any surgery. Most infections experienced after breast augmentation surgery are mild and easily treated.
Informed consent
Informed consent documents communicate information about a surgical treatment and disclose risks and alternative treatments.
Internal mammary artery
Extends down either side of the sternum and gives off branches which supply blood to the breast. One of the two main sources of blood to the breasts (the other is the lateral thoracic artery).
In-patient surgery
A surgical procedure that requires the patient to stay in the hospital overnight.
Latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction
A breast reconstruction method where the latissimus dorsi, a muscle in the back, is brought around the body to the site of the breast.
Local anaesthesia
Form of anaesthesia which involves an injection to numb the area where an incision will be made during a surgical procedure.
Mammaplasty
A plastic surgery procedure performed on the breast, including breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction and breast reconstruction.
Mammary
Pertaining to the breast.
Mammogram/Mammography
A low-dose X-ray examination of the breast, mammograms are the best method for detecting early breast cancer and the only exam currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Mastectomy
The surgical removal of a breast, usually due to breast cancer. Many women who have had a mastectomy have benefitted from breast reconstruction as a means to restore their natural appearance.
Mastopexy
A procedure to lift and reshape sagging breasts. A mastopexy, or breast lift, can be performed in conjunction with breast augmentation or breast reduction.
Pectoralis major
The large chest muscle, commonly referred to as ‘pecs’, that supports the breasts and facilitates movements of the arms.
Pectoralis minor
Thin muscle of the upper chest that lies beneath the pectoralis major and connects the shoulder blade to the front of the ribs.
Periareolar incision
An incision used in breast augmentation surgery made at the perimeter of the areola. Also called the nipple incision.
Plastic surgery
Surgery intended to repair, restore or improve the body following trauma, injury or illness.
The ‘breast pocket’ created by the plastic surgeon in which to place the breast implant during breast augmentation surgery.
Ptosis
Sagging or drooping of a body part, such as the breasts.
Reconstruction
Many different techniques are used to reconstruct a breast following a mastectomy or to correct breast deformities. Breast reconstruction techniques use either breast implants or a woman’s own tissues to create a new, natural- looking breast.
Reduction
A procedure to reduce the size of large breasts. Breast reduction is performed for physical relief as well as for cosmetic reasons.
Regional anaesthesia
Form of anaesthesia where a ‘region’ of the body is anaesthetised without producing an unconscious state. A nerve block or an epidural administered during childbirth are examples.
Rippling
Indentions on the breast that are often caused by movement of the breast implant.
Rupture/Deflation
Occurs when a breast implant leaks and is evidenced by a loss of size or change in shape of the affected breast. Saline leakage is not a health risk, though surgery to replace or remove the implant may be required.
Saline
A solution made up of water and a small amount of salt. Breast implants are filled with saline solution after being inserted behind the breasts.
Scar
A mark left by healing tissue as part of the body’s natural healing process. Scars left by breast augmentation surgery are usually small and well-hidden in the crease beneath the breast, around the nipple or in the armpit.
Scar capsule
A scar capsule of dense fibrous connective tissue forms around any foreign object introduced into the body, in this case surrounding the breast implants.
Sedation
Form of anaesthesia, usually administered via an injection, that reduces awareness but does not cause the patient to be unconscious.
Silicone elastomer
A type of silicone with elastic properties that is used to make the outer shell of breast implants, amongst other uses.
Silicone gel
A cohesive, gelatin-like substance that holds together uniformly while still retaining the natural give of breast tissue.
Sizer
A temporary, disposable breast implant used by the surgeon to test implant size, placement and fill level prior to replacement with the permanent implant.
Subglandular placement
Breast implants placed behind the mammary gland and in front of the pectoralis muscle. Subglandular placement is sometimes referred to as ‘overs.’
Sub-muscular placement
Breast implants placed directly behind the pectoralis muscle. Sub-muscular placement is sometimes referred to as ‘complete unders’.
Sub-pectoral placement
Breast implants placed with the upper two-thirds behind the pectoralis muscle. Sub-pectoral placement is sometimes referred to as ‘partial unders’.
Tissue expander
An adjustable implant that can be inflated with saltwater to stretch the tissue at the mastectomy site to create a new tissue flap for implantation of the breast implant.
TRAM flap breast reconstruction
A breast reconstruction method where tissue from the transverse rectus abdominus, a muscle in the lower abdomen, is used to form a new, natural-looking breast.
Transaxillary incision
An incision used in breast augmentation surgery made in the armpit. Also called the armpit incision.
TUBA incision
An incision used in breast augmentation surgery made at the rim of the belly button.
Tubular breasts
A breast deformity where the breasts are underdeveloped and the areola appears stretched, resulting in a tubular-shaped breasts.
Ultrasound
A diagnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal organs. Ultrasounds are used to examine breast abnormalities detected by breast cancer screening tests.
