Breast Augmentation Surgery Glossary

Anatomical Implants: Implants that are shaped like a breast.
Anesthesia: Local anesthesia numbs just a certain area of the body. General anesthesia puts you to sleep.
Areola: Nipple
Armpit Incision: Also called trans-axillary incision. This approach can be used for both submuscular and subglandular placement of the implant.
Biocompatible: The ability or something to be put into a person without causing your body to attack or reject it.
Breast Augmentation: A surgical procedure that enlarges the breast through implantation of a prosthesis.
Capsular Contraction: A tightening of the scar tissue surrounding an implant. This is a serious complication that may result in removing the implant.
Dehiscence: Separation of a wound or scar. Patients are more likely to have this if the incision is in the abdomen. In addition, factors like obesity, dehydration, malnourishment, smoking, and coughing can cause this as well.
Fibrous Cysts: Fluid filled masses in the breast that 25-30% of women experience at one time in their lives. Some women develop more cysts than others and this might affect the decision to get breast implants.
Glandular: Relating to a gland or a part of the body that makes fluid. For example-a sweat glad, or salivary gland. Glands are the area of the breast that make milk.
Hematoma: A pocket of blood, or a clot, in the body. Following surgery, larger hematomas need to be removed since they can become infected.
Hemorrhage: Bleeding. This can be inside or outside the body.
Incision: A cut on the body.
Inpatient Surgery: A surgery in which the patient is required to stay overnight in a hospital.
Keloids: More common in African-Americans, this is an expansion of the scar beyond normal boundaries from the wound site. Frequently found on the ears and on the chest.
Milk Ducts: Tubes that allow milk to run to the nipple.
Mondors Disease: A surface breast vein that has become clotted or inflamed.
Necrosis: Tissue death. This can cause inflammation.
Outpatient Surgery: A surgical procedure in which the patient is not required to stay overnight in a hospital.
Pectoralis Major: A muscle located in the upper chest, which provides support for the breasts and is necessary for arm movements.
Ptosis: Sagging or drooping.
Ripples: This comes from having a large implant or not having enough natural tissue to cover the implant.
Saline: A mixture of water and a little salt. Very similar to ocean water and can be safely absorbed by the body.
Sepsis: Bacteria, or other small organisms, in the blood. Can also be caused by the small substances produced by bacteria.
Silicone: A material, taken from sand, which is generally accepted by the body and can be shaped.
Subgaldular: An area underneath a gland. For Breast Augmentation surgery, this is an area under the breast tissue, but above the chest muscles.
Subpectoral: Under the pectoralis muscle. This is also referred to as submuscular breast augmentation.
Textured Implants: The surface of the implant is covered with very small bumps in order to help the body accept the implant. This is believed to help prevent contracture.
Toxic Shock Syndrome: This is a severe, and potentially fatal response by the body to a bacterial substance called a toxin.
Thrombosis: The formation or development of a blood clot.
(TUBA)-Trans-Umbilical Breast Augmentation: A bellybutton incision with a faster recovery than some other approaches. This technique only allows sub-glandular placement of the implant and also needs additional incisions to treat serious complications.