Women who are "tummy sleepers" should refrain from laying on their tummy and chest for thirty days. This is so to avoid pressure on the breast and pushing the implants to the side. The position may be also quite uncomfortable until complete healing is achieved. After the implant pockets have completely healed, it is not a problem to sleep on your tummy. Some women say that they can feel the implants for a while, but after a couple of months they are comfortable and feel normal. The implants should not feel hard or uncomfortable, unless a problem like capsular contracture has developed. … [Read more...]
Do I need to replace the breast implants?
Breast implants do not need to be replaced at any particular time unless they are leaking or there is another breast problem that requires breast surgery. If the implants leak, it is recommended that they are replaced. However, breast implants are not intended to be lifetime devices and most likely will need to be replaced at some point in a woman's life. … [Read more...]
Can I get stretch marks with breast augmentation?
It is possible to get stretch marks after breast augmentation. The women who most commonly develop stretch marks are younger women who have not been pregnant and have firm, dense breasts. The difference between starting breast cup and the size of the implant can also contribute. A change in breast size of more than two cups in a woman without prior pregnancy has about a 10% risk of some stretch marks. … [Read more...]
Will my breasts sag after breast augmentation?
Your breasts will change over time, and the larger they are the lower they will eventually be. In some cases, particularly if the breasts started out as a B cup or larger, the breasts will lower in position and develop some drooping. … [Read more...]
What is the best breast implant option for a tight cleavage?
Choosing an implant that fits the breast dimensions appropriately is the first step. Some women have a wider cleavage and if a tighter cleavage is desired the implant should have a larger base, and be placed appropriately so that the space between the two breasts is narrowed. Often the “profile” of the implants is mistaken for the ability of the implant to create a tighter cleavage. In fact, the implant profile impacts only the depth of the cleavage, not its width. … [Read more...]
What is the “upper pole” of the breast?
The area of the breast mound above the nipple is called the upper pole, as opposed to the area below the nipple which is the lower pole. The upper pole often loses density over time, as the breast ages, and may become thinner, causing the breast to appear to “sag”. Often to create an image of “lift” it is enough to increase fullness in the upper pole. … [Read more...]
What will my breast look like after I remove the implants?
They will be smaller, softer, and initially more sagging. Over the three to six months following the implant removal, the breasts will gradually shrink to a smaller size. This smaller size is usually more “saggy” than the original breast before augmentation with implants. … [Read more...]
What happens if I decide to remove the implants after breast augmentation?
Once the breasts have been enlarged and reshaped by the breast augmentation surgery, they will not go back to the same shape and size that they had before the implants were placed. In particular, once the implants are removed, the breasts will need to shrink to a smaller size, and they may do that incompletely, leading to some degree of breast “sag”. … [Read more...]
What is ALCL and what is my risk of contracting it?
Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma or ALCL is an extremely rare form of lymph node cancer that has been identified in some women with breast implants. The rate of this disease in the general population is extremely low, but it appears to be elevated in women with breast implants. ALCL has as very slow progression, and so far there has been one case of a woman who did not survive the diagnosis. It is extremely difficult at this point to define what is the actual risk of ALCL for women who have breast implants; currently there are only 35 cases reported over several millions of women with breast implants. It is possible that the actual rate of occurrence may be under-reported as this particular disease has been only recently identified as a possible association with breast implants. There is an extensive amount of attention being paid currently to reporting suspicious complication of breast implants as well as data gathering on possible cases of ALCL. On 1/26/2011 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a communication to inform health care practitioners and the public about a possible association between breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Although ALCL is extremely rare, the FDA believes that women with breast implants may have a very small but increased risk of developing the condition. ASPS has been actively engaged with the FDA on this matter. The Society is collaborating with the Agency to develop a centralized registry to … [Read more...]
What happened in the 1980’s and why were silicone breast implants removed from circulation?
During the “Silicone Scare” of the 80’s some information regarding complications occurring in women with silicone filled breast implants was corrupted and mis-represented by a company at the time producing a large number of breast implants, Dow Corning. As a consequence of internal company mis-handling of data the FDA established a moratorium on the use of silicone filled breast implants for cosmetic augmentation until more information was gathered on a population basis to evaluate possible complications and eventual association of breast implants and any particular disease. After years of investigations, and thousands of cases evaluated, the FDA has cleared silicone filled implants for use as a safe and effective device for breast augmentation and reconstruction. The data continues to be collected on the devices so if any association with any particular disease existed it would become apparent. … [Read more...]
Can breast implant cause any disease?
There is no evidence that breast implants cause any particular disease with the distinct exception of ALCL, a very rare form of lymph tissue cancer that has been identified in very rare cases of women with breast implants. The famous cases of autoimmune disease that were associated with silicone breast implants in the 70’s and 80’s were disproven by a very large number of population studies over the years and the FDA has cleared silicone and saline filled breast implants as safe and effective devices in 2009. … [Read more...]
Can breast implants cause cancer?
Prior to 2010, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a variety of studies published in the medical literature, no link was established between silicone filled or saline filled implants and breast cancer. However, a unique kind of very rare cancer called Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma has been identified the breast tissues of a very small number of women with breast implants. 35 cases ALCL have been reported in the world literature, which makes the rate of this disease in the range of one case per million women with breast implants. Currently, both the ASPS and the FDA are tracking the development very closely and there are no recommendations from any National or International organization to change usage of breast implants for augmentation or reconstruction. … [Read more...]
What are the risks of breast augmentation with implants?
Breast implant manufacturers (Mentor, Allergan), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and various other entities provide extensive booklets and educational material on this matter. Since the list may be changes and updated constantly, we recommend referring to these sites for a complete and thorough discussion of the most updated info on the subject. … [Read more...]
How long will my results last after a breast augmentation?
Approximately ten to fifteen years overall. Women who have not had children and have Breast augmentation with implants may see a significant change after children. In some cases, this may lead to a desire for an additional breast surgery. … [Read more...]
What is the best placement of the breast implants?
Choosing the best implant placement depends on a thorough physical evaluation, the patient preference of the kind of implant used, and desired final outcome. There is not a “best” implant placement option, but all have some benefits, in particular: Subglandular: soft and quick recovery Subpectoral: most implant coverage for thin patients Subfascial: quick recovery with the same benefits of subpectoral in terms of capsular contracture Dual plane: best position for breasts with some sag … [Read more...]
Where are the implants placed in my body for a breast augmentation?
Breast implants can be placed in the following areas: Subglandular (“In front”): this implant position was the most popular for years, and it is still widely used because of the decreased recovery and ease of implant placement. This option is the most commonly used placement for the TUBA incision. SubPectoral (“Behind”): the most popular position due to decreased risk of capsular contracture, more coverage of the implant in the upper pole, and less risk of infection. Drawbacks are longer recovery, increased discomfort, more difficult cleavage control. SubFascial: This position is not very well known but it affords the benefits of the “behind muscle” position without the muscle limitations and tightness. Reduced recovery time. Double plane: in this case the implant is placed partially under the pectoralis muscle and partially in front of it. This option is currently the most widely used position by most experienced plastic surgeons because it allows for complete control of the breast shape while still preserving the benefits of the subpectoral position. … [Read more...]
I heard that silicone is not safe. Is that true?
The FDA has verified and confirmed the safety and efficacy of silicone filled breast implants over a multitude of studies and thousands of patients over the past 20 years. Free silicone injections are not considered safe. … [Read more...]
What is the “Silicone” in breast implants?
The term “silicone” in the case of breast implants applies to a synthetic material that is produced to resemble human breast tissue in density and feel. This material is clear, has about the consistency of jelly, it is sterile and comes pre-inserted in the breast implants. … [Read more...]
What is the “Saline” in breast implants?
Saline or “normal saline” is a solution of water and salt with the same salt concentration that is present in our bodies. It is completely clear and would taste a bit salty. … [Read more...]
Will I have “drains” for my breast augmentation? What are “drains”?
Drains are small plastic tubes used to remove body fluids that may accumulate after surgery. Usually no drains are used in a standard breast augmentation procedure. … [Read more...]