Posted: April 6, 2018
As you explore the option of breast surgery with a cosmetic surgeon or plastic surgeon, you may encounter some confusion because of all of the different terms used to describe breast augmentation and related procedures. At Renaissance Plastic Surgery, we want you to truly understand the procedure you are considering so you can make a decision that is best for your individual goals.
To help you better understand some of the terminology you will hear and read while researching breast augmentation, we have compiled this glossary of terms that are commonly used to help you work through the steps involved in breast augmentation surgery. As you review the words and definitions, please keep in mind that when you meet with Dr. Fata he will explain these terms face-to-face as you prepare. Please call 317-575-9152 for a consultation at our Indianapolis office.
Breast Surgery Glossary of Terms
Biocompatible: Biologically compatible by not producing an adverse or immunological response in living tissue. A breast implant is one example of a biocompatible device.
Breast Augmentation: A surgical procedure that enlarges the breast through the insertion of a breast implant.
Breast Implant: A soft, silicone envelope filled with either saline or silicone gel that is placed in the body for simulated breast tissue.
Breast Reconstruction: A surgical procedure that rebuilds a breast that has been surgically removed.
Capsular Contraction: A tightening or thickening of scar tissue around a breast implant.
Delayed Reconstruction: Breast reconstruction that takes place weeks, months or years after a mastectomy.
Envelope: The outer lining of a breast implant that holds the filler material, either saline or silicone gel.
Expander/Mammary Implant: A breast implant that also acts as an expander, stretching the tissues as it is filled, but also remains in place as a permanent breast implant.
Fibrous Tissue: Connective tissue composed mostly of fibers, such as scar tissue.
Flap: A portion of tissue, which may include muscle, fat and skin, with a supporting blood supply, that is moved from one part of the body to another.
Flap Reconstruction: Rebuilding a breast after mastectomy using a flap, either with or without a breast implant.
Glandular: Relating to a gland. The breast is considered to be a type of glandular tissue.
Immediate Reconstruction: Breast reconstruction performed at the same time as a mastectomy.
Latissimus Dorsi Flap Reconstruction: A type of breast reconstruction using the Latissimus Dorsi muscle and skin from the back to rebuild a breast mound.
Lumpectomy: Surgical removal of a cancerous tumor along with a small margin of normal breast tissue.
Mastectomy: Removal of a breast due to the presence of a cancerous or pre-cancerous growth.
Mastopexy: A procedure also known as a breast lift to lift and tighten sagging breast skin and breast tissue by removing skin. It can be performed alone or with a breast implant if you wish to enlarge the breast as well.
Milk Ducts: Tubes within the breast gland for the passage of milk to the nipple during breastfeeding.
Modified Radical Mastectomy: Surgical removal of the breast, some fat and most of the lymph nodes in the arm pit, leaving the chest muscles largely intact.
Outpatient Surgery: a surgical procedure in which the patient is not required to stay overnight, which is often performed at a surgery center.
Pectoralis Major: A muscle on the upper chest, which covers the majority of a breast implant in a sub-muscular breast augmentation.
Prosthesis: Any artificial body part, which may be either internal or external.
Ptosis: Is the medical term for sagging. Breast ptosis is usually the result of normal aging and the pull of gravity or changes caused by pregnancy or weight loss.
Saline Breast Implant: A type of breast implant that has a solid silicone envelope and is filled with saline (salt water), which is very similar to the saline found in your bloodstream.
Silicone Gel Breast Implant: A type of breast implant that has a solid silicone envelope and is filled with silicone gel.
Silicone Gel: a semi-solid, semi-liquid form of silicone (a synthetic substance composed primarily of silicon, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen).
Simple Mastectomy: Surgical removal of only the breast for cancerous or pre-cancerous tumors.
Thrombosis: The formation or development of a blood clot.
Tissue Expander: An adjustable, saline breast implant that can be gradually filled with saline to stretch the skin and soft tissues at a mastectomy site.
Tram Flap Reconstruction: A type of breast reconstruction that utilizes the patient's own abdominal skin and muscle to rebuild a breast mound.
To learn more about breast augmentation, please contact Renaissance Plastic Surgery online or call our office in Indianapolis and Carmel, Indiana, today at 317-575-9152 to schedule your consultation.
