What you should ask your health care provider?
Before you decide to have breast implants, you should ask your health care provider to provide you with the patient brochure for the product you are considering having implanted and all documentation (i.e. labeling containing safety information) available about the breast implant of interest.
Below are some questions you should be sure to also ask the surgeon performing your surgery:
cost of the surgery (including the removal or replacement of an implant)
number of times the surgeon has done implant surgery, implant replacement surgery, and implant removal surgery
chance of experiencing a tightening of the scar tissue
the reason the surgeon recommends a particular type of implant
advantages and disadvantages of the different types of breast implants
number of times the surgeon has seen breast implants rupture, including: 1) how to tell if a rupture has happened, and 2) what actions are taken after a rupture
times when a replacement surgery or implant removal surgery may be required, such as when an implant ruptures
It is also a good idea to ask about the risks involved, including:
placement of the implant
location and appearance of the scar
difficulty producing milk for breastfeeding
the time needed to recover from the operation
longer-term cosmetic effects, such as wrinkles
possible side effects after the operation, such as:
pain, swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, nipple sensitivity
the surface type of the implant (smooth or textured): this may determine the amount of tightening or hardening of the scar tissue around the breast implant
how breast implants affect your health care provider's ability to screen for breast cancer
Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma(BIA-ALCL)
Breast Implant Illness (BII) even though the diagnosis is not yet official (it will also be a good opportunity to see the surgeon's opinion on BII itself)
any other risks associated with breast implants
After consulting with your surgeon and reviewing all documentation available regarding the implant and the surgical procedure, you should consider taking your time before making a decision. We encourage you to review all resources here at BII Clean Beauty and take an active approach as part of our members' forum. The experiential information from others may assist you in making your decision.
Should you decide to have the surgery, you and your surgeon should sign an informed consent document. Keep a copy for your records in case there is ever a product advisory or recall. You will be able to find out if you or your implants are affected. Your surgeon should provide you with detailed information regarding your implants (i.e. manufacturer, catalogue #, lot #, link to manufacturer's website and warranty program, etc.) along with a copy of your operative report.
You should ask the surgeon to send a letter about the operation details to your family doctor or health care provider. This is so they know that future changes to your health could be related to the surgery. They will know of what signs and symptoms to look for if you experience any health issues.
Post-operation follow-up
After the operation, you should see your surgeon or other health care provider if you have concerns or develop complications.
All posts are intended strictly for educational purposes. It is not intended to make any representations or warranties about the outcome of any procedure. It is not a substitute for a thorough in-person consultation with a medical professional. If you have questions about your personal medical situation, please call your healthcare provider.
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