Glossary of Breast Augmentation Terms
ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties)
The umbrella organization under which 24 certifying medical boards function in
the U.S. The main purpose of the ABMS is to organize information about medical
specialties and certification in medicine, and to distribute this information
to the public, government, and the medical profession.
Anesthesia
General or local insensibility, as to pain and other sensation, induced by certain
interventions or drugs to permit the performance of surgery or other painful
procedure. There are three types: general, regional, and local.
Areola
The ring of darkened breast skin surrounding the nipple.
Asymmetry
Lacking symmetry; parts of the body are not identical on both sides.
Autologous Tissue Breast Reconstruction
Reconstruction of a new breast mound through the use of the patient’s own
tissues. The common technique is the transverse rectus abdominous muscle (TRAM)
flap, in which areas of fat, skin, and muscle are removed from the abdomen and
stitched into place at the mastectomy wound.
Board
Certified Surgeon |
| Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammoplasty) The procedure to enlarge small breasts, underdeveloped breasts, or breasts that have decreased in size commonly due to weight loss or pregnancy. Incisions can be made under the breast, around the areola, or in the armpit, then a pocket is created either behind the breast tissue or behind the breast muscle between the breast and the chest wall, into which an implant is then inserted. |
| Breast Implant Revision A surgical procedure which involves the removal and replacement of a breast implant in order to correct complications which may have occurred following breast augmentation or breast reconstruction surgery. |
| Breast Lift (Mastopexy or Breast Uplift) The surgery used to reshape drooping or pendulous breasts, often following pregnancy, weight loss, or age related changes. This procedure involves the relocation of the nipple and areola to a higher position, the repositioning of breast tissue to a higher level, the removal of excess skin from the lower portion of the breast, and the reshaping of the remaining breast skin. Some variations on this technique may result in less noticeable scarring, but in general scars appear around the areola, and extending vertically down the breast and horizontally along the crease underneath the breast. down the breast and horizontally along the crease underneath the breast. |
| Breast Ptosis The sagging or drooping of one or both breasts. |
| Breast Reconstruction Reconstruction of one or both breasts typically following breast cancer surgery. Implants or tissue donated from other parts of the body such as the abdomen, thighs, hips and/or buttocks may be used. The nipple and areola are typically reconstructed in a separate operation or may be cosmetically tattooed to match the other or original breasts. |
| Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty) The procedure to reduce the size of large breasts through the removal of excess breast tissue and skin, repositioning of the nipple and areola, and reshaping of the remaining breast tissue. Typically classified as a reconstructive procedure as oversized breasts can interfere with normal function and physical activity. |
| Breast Reduction in Men (Gynecomastia) The procedure to reduce breast size in men, often through the use of liposuction combined with surgical removal of breast tissue. Male enlarged breasts may result from medications, excess body fat, or marijuana use. |
| Buttox Flap Reconstruction Reconstruction of one or both breasts by transferring a flap from the buttocks to the chest to create a breast mound. |
| Capsular Contracture One of the most common complications occurring with breast implants, capsular contracture occurs when naturally forming scar tissue around the implant shrinks and tightens. This can make the breasts firmer than normal, potentially resulting in pain and an unnatural appearance of the breast. |
| Capsule The scar which normally forms around a breast implant |
| Capsulectomy Removal of the scar tissue surrounding a breast implant. |
| Capsulotomy A procedure to release the scar tissue surrounding a breast implant. |
| Cartilage Cartilage is that structure in your body that is firm like bone, but is more flexible and can bend and take different shapes. Your ear is made up of cartilage, along with a large portion of the nose. |
| Computer Imaging State-of-the-art technology which enables a patient to preview the potential result of a procedure. A patient’s image appears on a computer screen and is then “morphed” until the desired result is achieved. While computer imaging is certainly helpful, it is not an exact replication of the potential surgical result. |
| Conscious or IV (intravenous) Sedation An anesthetic approach which allows the patient to be unaware of pain without placing him/her under full, general anesthesia. |
| Cosmetic Surgery The enhancement or beautification of specific body or facial parts. Cosmetic surgery typically does not include reconstruction or restoration except in specific cases, such as rhinoplasty where both form (ie removal of bump, etc.) and function (ie breathing, etc) can be addressed. |
| Delayed Reconstruction Breast reconstruction which takes place weeks, months, or years following a mastectomy. |
| Dermis The dense inner layer of skin that lies just below the epidermis, composed of connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels, sweat glands, hair follicles, and an elaborate sensory nerve network. The dermis protects the body from mechanical injury, binds water, stores water, maintains temperature, and carries nerves to detect sensation and feeling. |
| Donor Site The site where skin, with or without its underlying structures, is taken to cover a deformity, ulcer, or post-surgical defect of the skin. Common donor sites include the thigh, forearm, abdomen, and buttocks. |
| Endoscope A sterile video instrument allowing a surgeon to see inside of the body through small, limited incisions. |
| Endoscopic Procedures A surgical procedure involving the use of an endoscope, a sterile video instrument which allows the surgeon to see inside of the body through small, limited incisions. An example of an endoscopic procedure is the forehead or brow lift. |
| Envelope The outer lining of an implant which traps the inner fluids, sealing them in. |
| Epidermis The outer, nonvascular, nonsensitive layer of the skin which contains no nerves or blood vessels. The epidermis acts as a seal against the environment while exerting some control over the amount of moisture lost to the environment. |
| Erythema Abnormal redness of the skin due to local congestion, as in inflammation. |
| Expander/Implant Breast Reconstruction The use of an expander during breast reconstruction in order to create a breast mound, followed by the placement of a permanently filled breast implant. |
| Expander/Mammary Implant A breast implant that also acts as a tissue expander, stretching the tissues, but then also remains in place as a breast implant. |
| Fat Injections Fat which is withdrawn from one body site and injected into another; often used to smooth lines in the face or build up other features such as the lips. Because a percentage of the injected fat is usually reabsorbed by the body, the procedure typically must be repeated. Using this method to enlarge the breasts can be a dangerous procedure due to the possibility of dense scarring which can greatly hinder breast self-exams and mammograms. |
| Fibrous Tissues Connective tissues composed mostly of fibers. |
| Flap A portion of tissue, which may include muscle, fat, and skin, which brings with it its own blood supply when transferred from one part of the body to another. |
| Flap Surgery/Flap Reconstruction A form of breast reconstruction surgery using transplanted skin in order to create a breast mound, followed by the placement of a breast implant. |
| General Anesthesia An anesthetic approach which allows the patient to be put into a careful and controlled state of unconsciousness for the duration of a procedure. |
| Glandular Relating to a gland. |
| Gynecomastia The procedure to reduce breast size in men, often through the use of liposuction combined with surgical removal of breast tissue. Male enlarged breasts may result from medications, excess body fat, or marijuana use. |
| Hematoma A circumscribed collection of blood, usually clotted, in a tissue or organ, caused by a break in a blood vessel. This can occur as a result of abnormal post-operative bleeding. |
| Hemorrhage A profuse discharge of blood, as from a ruptured blood vessel. |
| Hypertrophic Scar A form of scar which is red, raised, and itchy. |
| Immediate Reconstruction Breast reconstruction occurring during the same surgical procedure as a mastectomy. |
| Implant Materials Implant materials may consist of a variety of synthetic and non-synthetic materials and are generally used to augment or enhance a facial or body part, such as with breast implants and chin implants. |
| Incision The cutting into skin or body tissue. |
| Informed Consent Informed consent refers to the signing of forms which legally allow a surgery to proceed, and assumes that the patient has read about and understands the events, risks and complications that can occur as a result of surgery. |
| Inpatient Surgery A surgical procedure requiring the patient to stay overnight in a hospital. |
| Keloid An abnormal proliferation of scar tissue, as on the site of a surgical incision. |
| Latissimus Dorsi Flap Reconstruction A form of breast reconstruction which utilized the patient’s own tissue transferred from the latissimus dorsi muscle, located on the back, in order to build a breast mound. |
| Local Anesthesia A form of anesthetic directly injected into the site of the surgery, causing numbness to that site. |
| Macromastia Disproportionately large breasts. |
| Mammaplasty See Breast Reduction. |
| Mammogram A series of breast x-rays used to discover pathology, particularly breast cancer. |
| Mastectomy The surgery to remove part or all of a breast. |
| Mastodynia Chronically painful breasts. |
| Mastopexy Also known as breast uplift, a procedure performed to lift sagging breasts. Various incisions of different lengths and complexity may be performed depending upon the severity of the problem. |
| Micromastia Congenitally small breasts. |
| Milia Tiny cysts in the skin which can result from blocked pores or from suture tracks. |
| Plastic Surgeon A surgeon dealing with the repair or replacement of malformed, injured, or lost organs or tissues of the body, chiefly by the transplant of living tissues. Plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery - an ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties) member board. |
| Plastic Surgery The branch of surgery dealing with the repair or replacement of malformed, injured, or lost organs or tissues of the body, chiefly by the transplant of living tissues. |
| Post-Operative Also known as post-op; the term used to refer to the period of time following an operation or surgical procedure. |
| Pre-Operative Also known as pre-op; the term used to refer to the period of time prior to an operation or surgical procedure. |
| Ptosis A word meaning drooping, as in drooping of the breasts. |
| Reduction Mammoplasty Also known as breast reduction, the surgery to reduce breast size and shape, thereby eliminating troublesome symptoms associated with very large breasts. |
| Regional Anesthesia A nerve block placed in position to numb an entire area, leaving a patient awake but free of pain. Examples include spinals for joint surgery, epidurals for Caesarian sections, and eye blocks for cataract surgery. |
| Saline Salt water. Commonly used to fill implants in breast augmentation, saline is similar to human body fluid components. |
| Scar A permanent mark left on the skin by a healed wound, sore, or burn. |
| Scar Revision Various techniques including surgical revision, steroid injection, and abrasion, meant to improve the appearance and/or orientation of a scar. |
| Seroma The collection of fluid (serum) in a surgical wound. |
| Silicone A substance used in many artificial joints, breast implants, cardiovascular and ophthalmic devices. |
| Skin expansion In breast reconstruction surgery, the use of a balloon expander to create a pocket for the breast implant. |
| Submammary Breast Implants Breast implants which are placed on top of the chest muscle, just beneath the natural breast tissue. |
| Submuscular Breast Implants Breast implants which are placed beneath the chest (pectoral) muscle. |
| Suture A joining of the edges of a wound or the like by stitching or some similar process; sutures are more commonly known as ‘stitches’. |
| Symmastia When the two breast implants rub against one another over the top of the breastbone. |
| Tissue Expander An implant which is used to gradually stretch the skin by inflating it with a saline solution over a period of time. Commonly used in reconstructive surgery where there is a lack of skin to sew back together. Once the skin has sufficiently stretched, the implast is removed. |
| Tissue Expansion A technique in which skin or other tissue is stretched with the use of inflatable balloons. Tissue expansion can be of particular value in performing breast reconstruction, breast enlargement, or in the treatment of male pattern baldness. |
| Twilight Anesthesia A form of anesthesia leaving the patient in a relaxed and sedated state in which they do not lose consciousness but remember very little of the procedure. |
| Umbilicus The ‘belly button’. |
| Vitiligo The loss of pigmentation in the skin. |
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