Trends also set the direction in breast surgery

"There are countless trends in plastic surgery as such, from the surgical methods to the materials used. When it comes to breast plastic surgery, I have identified four key trends that not only bring a perfect aesthetic result, but above all guarantee that the new décolletage will remain beautiful for many years, if not decades," mentions plastic surgeon Petros Christodoulou, MD, in his introduction.

Inner bra technique

In any breast surgery, whether it is breast augmentation, breast reduction or breast modelling, an important part of the procedure is the firming of the breast tissue. However, an unavoidable factor over time is the effect of gravity, which can cause the breasts to sag, and even though the surgeon is working with the best knowledge and skill, there is no guarantee that the resulting breast shape will not change over time. The "internal bra" method increases the resistance of the breasts to the effects of gravity. This innovative method involves different techniques individually according to the needs of the client. Using special firm stitches, the breast tissue is reinforced from the inside and "anchored" to the chest wall. At MEDICOM Clinic we have been developing this unique "internal bra" technique for many years. It is very sophisticated and significantly more effective than other techniques against further breast sagging due to gravity. The results are astounding and the cleavage of clients who have undergone this surgery still look years later as if they are not subject to the effects of time and gravity. This method is suitable for all clients who are bothered by sagging breasts.

Use of lightweight breast implants

After a number of decades without any significant innovation in the field of silicone breast implants, for the last few years we have had a lightweight implant which, although composed of the same material (cohesive gel) as the classic implant, is up to 30% lighter thanks to microspheres (microscopic air bubbles). Since it is generally accepted that the larger and heavier the implant used, the higher the risk of early and late postoperative complications, lightweight implants naturally reduce this risk, including the risk of subsidence or capsular contracture. They are also a great option for clients who are active in sports and find lightweight implants almost unrecognizable.

Polyurethane breast implants

These are special silicone implants that have a thin layer of polyurethane foam on their surface. Over the months following the procedure, the breast tissue naturally grows into this foam. These implants, one could say new generation, have completely eliminated the risk of rotation, implant displacement, capsular contracture and even infection to almost zero. Because of these qualities, they offer a lifetime warranty not only against rupture and capsular contracture, but also against implant rotation.While they have been available in plastic surgery for decades, it is only in recent years that I have seen them begin to gain more and more popularity among doctors and patients around the world. I personally like to use them a lot, and in the case of augmentations of more natural or voluminous cleavage.

Application of own fat

A few years ago, breast augmentation with fat alone was a big trend, but today modern plastic surgery is leaning more towards combining a smaller implant with your own fat. Thus, we take advantage of the benefits of both methods with a permanent result. The implants add fullness and firmness to the breast, while the fat itself adds a thicker layer covering the implant and therefore a more natural result. So in one procedure we are talking about a double improvement. The first one is to shape the figure in the areas that the client is not satisfied with, while at the same time we use the fat removed by liposuction to fill the volume of the décolletage and compare any slight asymmetry.

How long do implants last?

There is no single answer to this. Implants of the previous generation, which are removed today, lasted about 10 to 20 years. Over time, the implant shows material fatigue with possible rupture or loses its impermeable shell, through which silicone leaks into the cavity in which it is placed. We expect much more from today's generation of implants. For one thing, the manufacturers claim that the current shells are much more resistant to rupture and leakage of silicone, but also the silicone itself, which is inside the implant, is not as fluid as it used to be and may not leak out even if the implant ruptures. So in theory they should last much longer than the ones used previously. Of course, we urge our clients to be consistent with regular sonograms, preferably once a year.

How long does it take to heal after breast surgery?

This depends very much on the type of procedure, the extent and, in the case of silicone implants, the type and size of the implant. For breast reduction and breast modelling, the resting period is about 2 weeks and no sports for 6 weeks. If we inject our own fat, we follow a strict resting regime of 3 weeks, so that as much as possible is added and the effect is stable. In the case of breast augmentation with implants, there is a strict rest period of two to three weeks followed by a period of no sport and more activity depending on the type of implant. In the case of polyurethane implants, sports are possible without restrictions after 5 weeks, while in the case of conventional types, sports are recommended after eight to ten weeks.

How much does plastic surgery cost?

Depending on the extent of the procedure, the cost of any implants, etc., the price can vary dramatically. From about CZK 30,000 for correction of the size of the areola, to amounts exceeding CZK 150,000 for complex procedures using expensive implants, such as augmentation with modelling using a lightweight polyurethane implant. However, it should be borne in mind that this one-off investment will delay the need for a possible reoperation. I would therefore recommend that clients should not look so much at the price, but rather at the long-term effect.