Breast augmentation: a journey to rediscovering oneself

Increasing breast volume to boost self-confidence. Breast augmentation is one of the most sought-after procedures in plastic surgery, chosen by women of various ages for both aesthetic and reconstructive reasons. In some cases, beyond increasing volume, the procedure can correct asymmetries or congenital malformations, improving not only physical appearance but also the patient’s psychological well-being.

Dr. Daniele Cervelli, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, completed his studies at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, affiliated with the Policlinico Gemelli, where he worked for eleven years in the field of reconstructive surgery. After earning his degree, specialization, master’s, and PhD, in 2020 he decided to dedicate himself entirely to aesthetic surgery in his private practice, focusing on increasingly advanced techniques to achieve natural and harmonious results.

Among the various aesthetic surgery procedures, Dr. Cervelli is particularly passionate about breast aesthetics. Breast augmentation is one of the most requested procedures.

«The majority of patients prefer the use of breast implants,” explains the surgeon. “It’s important to remember that in addition to changing the volume of the breast, its shape can also be altered, as there are sometimes more or less pronounced malformations that cause significant distress to the patient».

Patient motivations

The women who consult Dr. Cervelli have diverse needs. Some are very young and have underdeveloped breasts or congenital anomalies. Dr. Cervelli categorizes them into three main groups.

The first group consists of «very young patients who were unfortunately born with small or, as mentioned earlier, severely malformed breasts, thus requiring surgery to alter the shape and volume of the breast to, in a sense, gain femininity».

Then there are new mothers, women who have completed the experience of pregnancy and breastfeeding. «The breast, after pregnancy or breastfeeding, tends to deflate and sag, so it’s natural for the patient to want to regain self-confidence with a breast that magically returns to an adequate volume and position».

The last category includes «older women who, due to tissue aging or weight fluctuations, require surgery to restore their previous conditions».

The importance of psychological wellbeing

Breast augmentation is not just an aesthetic procedure but can have a significant impact on patients’ lives. «Equally important, in my opinion, is addressing the psychological aspect, as these patients can experience emotional impacts so profound that they affect their relationships in every aspect, including intimacy. Therefore, we must be somewhat psychologists as well as surgeons».

The choice of implant is a crucial step in achieving a natural and harmonious result. Dr. Cervelli explains that there are three main categories of implants. Anatomical implants: «these are teardrop-shaped, mimicking the shape of a natural breast more closely, with a flatter upper pole». Then there are round implants: «which are more dome-shaped and have the advantage that no matter how they rotate, the shape of the breast doesn’t change.”

Finally, there are ergonomic implants: “These are round implants, so they don’t pose the problem of rotation, but still ensure a natural result».

The importance of moderation

Many patients arrive with specific requests, often inspired by models promoted by media or social networks. In these cases, the surgeon’s role is also to guide them toward a balanced choice. Despite some excessive requests, Dr. Cervelli always advises caution: «I always tell patients: large implants, big complications. Because a large implant is indeed voluminous but also heavy. This means less durability over time and potential postural imbalance».

Excessively large implants can cause postural imbalances and back pain, negatively impacting the patient’s quality of life: «and it can really be excessive – emphasizes Cervelli – Patients can experience pain in the cervical and lumbar areas, so we must try to dissuade them from going down that path».

Post-Operative care in breast augmentation

Thanks to advancements in plastic surgery, recovery times are now much shorter than in the past. The use of specific supportive bras and proper pain management therapy can reduce discomfort in the first few days after surgery. In recent years, the field of breast augmentation has made significant progress, and post-operative care has also improved: «Thanks to the bras available today, combined with good pain management therapy, we can ensure a more comfortable post-operative period, even in the first few days, without excessive pain or limitations».