About 4% of women in the United States have, or will get, breast implants. This number doesn’t include the women who get other kinds of breast augmentation, like reductions. With this many women going under the blade for their breasts, it’s important for all women to gain a greater understanding of breast augmentation. Knowledge is power. What you learn about breast augmentation might convince you that you really do want breast implants, or that the procedure is not for you. For a complete guide to breast augmentation check out this link. For a quick rundown of some of the most important aspects of breast implants, check out our quick guide below.
- There are three main ways to do breast implants – silicone, saline, and natural fat from your own body. There are Pros and Cons of each choice. Silicone is the most popular, but leaks and ripples are possible, as are rotations of the silicone. Saline is more likely to leak, but is less likely to ripple. Fat taken from your own body (butt, love handles, etc.) can look very natural, but not all of it will survive the transplant, making the final shape of your breast hard to anticipate.
- Breast implants can be put in above or below the muscle. Implants beneath the muscle generally look more natural, but are more difficult to position during surgery.
- Your plastic surgeon has several choices about where to place the incision in which to put in the implant. You can choose an incision in your armpit, above your navel, beneath the breast, and around the nipple. There are other variations. Each has strengths and weaknesses. An incision beneath the breast is most popular. In most cases, it heals well and is hidden by the fold beneath the breast.
- Breast implants are not a “one and done” plastic surgery. In most cases, breast implants are considered to last about 10 years, even though the may last far longer. Because of changes in the body due to age, weight loss, pregnancy, and other factors, it is sometimes necessary to reposition or resize implants. In other cases, saline and silicone implants may break, in which case surgery is necessary for repair. Most women need several procedures during the lifespan of their breast implants.
- There is a myth that breast implants cause breast cancer. There has been no proven connection between breast implants and cancer, though implants may make it more difficult to feel breast masses with your hands. It is important for women with breast implants to be vigilant about their overall breast health.
- Breast implants are legal to women of any age, though safe methods have only been approved by legislators for women over the age of 18.
There are many other things to learn about breast implants, but you can probably tell from this list alone that there is more to it than meets the eye. Check out the guide we linked above for everything you could ever want to know about breast augmentation. If this is a procedure you are considering for your future, the more you know, the better outcome you can expect.