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What is Breast Augmentation?



Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to increase the size of the breasts. It is an elective surgery that women choose to have for a variety of reasons. A woman's breast can change over time and the quality of your skin and loss of elasticity can result from:

  • weight fluctuations

  • heredity factors

  • pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • gravity and aging


Considerations

Before proceeding with breast augmentation surgery, a plastic surgeon will typically examine your breasts and take into consideration factors such as:

  • the size and shape of your breasts

  • the quality of your skin

  • the placement of your nipples

  • if your breasts are sagging, your plastic surgeon may also recommend a breast lift

  • personal preferences and individual factors also play a role in determining the location of incisions and appropriate breast size (in general, the larger the implant, the greater the risk of complications)


Other Considerations


Breast Cancer Risks

All women have a risk of breast cancer and you will need to consider this prior to making a decision about whether or not to have implants. The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that breast implants do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer, however, they can make it more difficult to perform and read mammograms. Your plastic surgeon should discuss cancer detection with you along with the rise in BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma).


Breast Implant Illness (BII)

Although Breast Implant Illness (BII) remains officially undiagnosed, the symptoms experienced by thousands upon thousands of women around the world, all appear to be related as a direct result of having breast implant surgery. The list of potentially related are many and include everything from chronic fatigue, cognitive dysfunction highlighting brain fog and memory loss, anxiety, depression, shortness of breath, and ringing in the ears to extreme health concerns with symptoms of lyme disease, fibromyalgia, and auto-immune diseases, thyroid issues, Hashimoto's disease, and so much more.


Types of implants

There are two types of breast implants available:

  1. Saline Implants - These devices have a silicone elastomer rubber shell and are filled with saline solution (saltwater). Saline implants typically have a smaller incision and tend to be easily apparent if they leak or deflate. Some surgeons feel that saline implants provide a less natural look and feel than silicone gel implants.

  2. Cohesive Silicone Gel Implant (a.k.a. gummy bear) - These are made with the same silicone shell but they are filled with a cohesive silicone gel. Surgeons promote that they often feel softer and are more natural than saline implants, however, they do require a slightly larger incision and may be more difficult to detect if they break or rupture.


Placement of the implants and incision location

Breast implants can be placed either under the chest muscle or between the chest muscle and the overlying breast tissue and both choices have advantages and disadvantages. The same applies to the choice of the possible incision location through which to place the implant. Your plastic surgeon will these options with you.


Risks for smokers

It is interesting to note and it is well documented that breast implant surgery is not recommended if you are a smoker. Many women ignore this advice and proceed with the surgery regardless.


Other risks include, but are not limited to:

  • anesthesia risks

  • infection

  • bleeding or hematoma formation

  • changes in nipple or breast sensation (temporary or permanent)

  • poor healing of incisions

  • irregularities in breast contour in shape and/or breast asymmetry

  • fat necrosis (fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die)

  • potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola

  • fluid accumulation

  • deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications

  • possibility of revision surgery


Recovery and possible complications

Breast augmentation is usually performed on an outpatient basis so it is important to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you the first night following surgery.


After surgery, some discolouration and swelling may occur, but this will disappear quickly. Most residual swelling resolves within a month. After surgery, you can return to work within 3-7 days.


Some potential complications of breast augmentation include:

  • infection – although rare, it may require temporary removal of the implant

  • reactions to anesthesia

  • blood accumulation that may need to be drained surgically.changes in nipple or breast sensation – this is usually temporary

  • capsular contracture – when the scar capsule (part of the natural healing process) around the implant tightens and compresses the implant. This can occur to varying degrees and can cause discomfort and changes in the breast’s appearance. In such cases, more surgery may be needed to modify or remove the scar tissue, or perhaps remove or replace the implant.


Breast implants are not lifetime devices. They cannot be expected to last forever. Many breast implant companies encourage patients to change their implants every 10-15 years. Surgery may be required at some point in your life to replace your implants, should they rupture or deflate or remove them completely (including the capsules) through breast implant removal surgery (breast explant surgery).


BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL SURGERY (EXPLANT SURGERY) DISCUSSION

Most importantly a detailed discussion around breast implant removal costs, risks, capsule formation and removal, incisions and more needs to be had.


Most women who elect to have breast implant surgery fail to realize that:

  • the implant removal surgery costs can be up to twice as much as the original implant surgery

  • the explant incision scars tend to be longer and involve more incision lines

  • more pre and post-surgery testing will need to be completed (i.e. bloodwork, ultrasound, mammogram, MRI, pathology testing on the scar tissue)

  • the recovery time may be longer than the original implant surgery

  • some plastic surgeons may not have enough explant surgery experience or understand the concerns/risks directly related to ALCL and BII, and therefore do not perform the proper removal techniques required to mitigate any future health concerns



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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