Breast Augmentation - Breast Implants and Breast Enhancement Procedures

Breast augmentation procedures accounted for nearly 400,000 cosmetic procedures in 2007, and the numbers are on the rise as more women turn to plastic and cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance.  Breast implants continue to be the top cosmetic procedure for women, and treatment options include saline, silicone and alternative materials.

The procedure involves inserting compounds directly under the breast tissue to augment the chest size, and implant sizes vary depending on desired results.  Some breast augmentation doctors also perform light liposuction and body contouring procedures around the chest area to create a more natural, aesthetically-pleasing appearance.

Breast augmentation surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and a sedative, with surgery lasting up to 2 hours. Incisions are often made right at the areola, on the lower crease of the breast, through the belly button, or through the armpit.  Every surgeon uses their own technique to make sure the breast implants look as natural as possible.

Silicone Breast Implants

While silicone breast implants were banned in 1992, the FDA reapproved silicone gel implants in November 2006, deeming it a safe and effective breast augmentation procedure. Silicone gel helps create a firm, natural-looking appearance and the implants can be pre-filled to the ideal size before being inserted into the body. Some types of implants can be filled after insertion allowing for adjustment and better adaption.

The three basic types of silicone gel-filled implants are:

• Single lumen (chamber), fixed volume implant pre-filled with silicone gel.
• Double lumen inflatable implant, with the inner lumen pre-filled with silicone-gel and the outer lumen has a valve for the insertion of saline
• Double lumen inflatable implant, with the outer lumen pre-filled with silicone-gel and the inner lumen has a valve for the insertion of saline

Many patients report that silicone breast implants offer a more natural look and feel than saline.

 

Saline Breast Implants

Saline breast implants have long been considered ‘safer’ than silicone, but are filled with a sterile saline solution to before insertion.  Both permanent and adjustable saline implants are available, but they do run the risk of rupturing which causes an immediate deflation of the breasts.  The outer structure of saline breast implants is made with silicone, which means that results can be similar to a 100 percent silicone implant.

The three basic types of saline-filled implants are:

• Single lumen implant with a valve that is filled during operation.
• Single lumen adjustable implant that is filled during operation
• Pre-filled saline implant.

One of the biggest drawbacks of saline breast implants is the ‘hardness’ and unnatural appearance after surgery.  Still, surgeons can use a variety of techniques to ensure that the implants look and feel as natural as possible.

Understanding Placement of Breast Implants

The exact placement of the implants varies depending on body type and desired results, but most surgeons select from three different types of placement:

Subglandular implant placement – placement of the implant directly behind the breast but in between the front of the muscles

Partial submuscular implant placement – placement behind the breast but slightly under the pectoral muscles

Complete submuscular implant placement – placement of the implant directly behind the breast and major muscle groups to create more definition

Breast Implants – Costs and Other Procedure Information

Almost $200 million were spent on breast augmentation procedures in 2007, and the national average in that same year was between $3,000 - $8,000.  The cost of breast implants typically depends on several factors including the location of the practice, the experience of the surgeon, and any other fees and charges imposed by the practice.

Drawbacks of Breast Implants

Breast implants and breast enhancement procedures offer several benefits, but they also have some drawbacks.

• Breast implants run the risk of leaking – leakage and rupturing are the most common concerns of women with breast implants, but surgical techniques and materials have improved over the past decade
• Breast implants can interfere with cancer screenings – the Mayo Clinic reports that “Although implants can make physical detection of lumps easier, they also may complicate routine mammography to screen for breast cancer.”
• Breast implants can reduce the sensation of the nipples – some women report a reduced sensation in the breast tissue and nipple region after undergoing breast augmentation surgery
• Breast implants can lead to infection – surgical procedures that are not performed correctly can leave open wounds that become infected. 

 

Review:  Breast Augmentation Before and After Photos

Learn About: Questions Commonly Asked by Women with Implants

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