Breast Implants

History:

The beginning of the breast implant surgery was not a pretty one. It was back in the late 1800’s when the very first breast augmentations were performed using of all things; paraffin wax. These augmentations were accomplished by simply injecting the paraffin under the skin of the breasts, but as we know now, the use of paraffin inside the human body will result in lumps and in some cases extremely bad infection and possibly death. Although deadly, the use of paraffin continued on until the 1920’s when it was replaced by fat transfer.

Although the concept of fat transfer initially was given up due to the body absorbing most of the fat, it has now been reintroduced thanks to the advents of current science and technology.

 In the 1960’s the ever popular silicone breast implants paved the way for current standards of breast augmentation procedures. And although there has been numerous set-backs in the silicone breast implant industry, it can still be considered to be safer than paraffin as well as polyvinyl sponges which were popular for only two years in the late 1950’s.

 Due to safety concerns surrounding the silicone filled breast implants as well as a number of lawsuits, the silicone implants were removed from the market in the mid 1980’s until 2006 when they were reintroduced in a new and safer shell.

 During the down time of the silicone breast implants, a number of alternatives rose up. First there was the saline filled implants which sprang to life in 1992 and are still used today. In 1995 there was a rather bad attempt to market a soybean oil implant to the general cosmetic industry but of course these were quickly removed because the soybean oil could easily go rancid inside one’s body and cause life-threatening complications.

 Today, the silicone implant industry has once again flourished with several new advancements like the gummy bear implant which is a more solid form of the breast implant which has the same consistency of that of a regular gummy bear candy.

 

Risks:

When it comes to breast implants, there are a number of potential breast implant dangers that one should be made fully aware of prior to making the final decision to undergo the procedure. The first and foremost risk associated with a breast augmentation procedure is of course the chance of incurring a capsular contracture. When the breast implants are placed within the chest region, the body makes a thick capsule of scar tissue completely surrounding the implant. In most cases, this scar tissue is a helpful thing as it can prevent the filling of the implant into the body, but in some cases for reasons not quite clear as of now, this capsule can contract causing the implant to rupture which can be a painful experience for the person with the implants.

The implantation of silicone into the breast regions can in some cases interfere with the ability of the mammogram to detect the possibility of breast cancer. But since the implant is placed under the mammary glands this is not as bad as it sounds. There is though the possibility of incurring a false positive for breast cancer due to deposits left by the implant that resembles cancerous cells. Furthermore, the machine itself can actually rupture the implant, but this is usually also remedied by going to a specialist for your mammogram who is used to dealing with breast implants.

The implants themselves are capable of moving around regardless as to whether they have a textured surface or not. This movement, or migration as it is sometimes called creates a very unsightly bulge allowing the world to be able to tell that you have undergone the procedure. The implant is also capable of being ruptured as well as simply deflating due to a microscopic hole in the outer shell.

From time to time, there has also been the occasional rippling of the implant which is very noticeable from the outside of the skin as well as a possibility of infection, especially in the case in which the saline solution may have been contaminated prior to being injected into the implant. Should the implant rupture allowing this contaminated saline solution into the chest there can be an infection as a result.

 

Benefits:

There are a number of benefits that can be associated with the breast implant procedure. These benefits can be both medical as well as psychological in nature. If your breasts are not the same size, then this can cause emotional trauma that a breast enhancement can cure simply by making them symmetrical. If both of your breasts are too small then the breast implant procedure can help you to improve your outwardly appearance which in return also increase your emotional well-being.

Basically, when it comes to the breast implant procedure, the improvements which can be made through the use of this surgery can not only help you to achieve a better lifestyle, but also can help improve years of emotional scarring as a result of inadequately shaped breasts.

 

Recovery:

When it comes to the recover after undergoing a breast augmentation, there is one thing to remember; it is not an easy or simple recovery to go through no matter what you are told. For starters, you will not even be able to start noting the results of the procedure until 2 months have passed after undergoing the augmentation. This is because of swelling and redness caused by the procedure.

You will have to deal with discomfort and in some cases this discomfort may be severe. You will also have stitches and depending on the type of incision and type of implant used, these sutures may be a very annoying nuisance. You will be required to wear a special compression bra to help the recovery as well as prevent the implant from moving, especially as you sleep.

There may be some minor fluid drainage of the breasts so you will have to deal with a drain tube in some cases as well as swelling and bruising which is associated with the trauma that the breast underwent during the breast implant surgery. There will also bee some numbness which is especially recorded in the area of the nipple. In some cases this loss of nipple sensation may never return.

 

Breast Implants Cost:

For a breast implant procedure, you should expect to pay between $5,000 and $8,000 for the surgery plus other fees. This is just an average figure and it mostly depends on the particular implant you choose, the incision type as well as the professional fee of the surgeon performing the breast augmentation.

 

Financing:

In general, since cosmetic breast implant procedures are usually not covered under you insurance policy, it may be important that you seek financing. The good news is that there are a number of financial institutions offering this financing as well as some clinics may offer some form of in-house financing for the procedure.

 

Will Insurance Cover Breast Implants:

Although the law states that if you are going in for a breast implant surgery for purely cosmetic reasons, the insurance companies will not cover the procedure but in the event that it can be proven to be a reconstructive procedure, then Federal law mandates insurance companies to cover the procedure.

 

Who is a Candidate For Breast Implants:

The best candidate is anyone who is of at least 18 years of age and are not currently expecting a child. These persons also need to be in good medical health as well as psychologically stable. It is also important that you have realistic expectations concerning the outcome of the procedure as well as being mature enough to make the decision about undergoing the procedure.

 

Anesthesia:

There are four types of anesthesia which may be used but not all clinics are able to offer all four types. These anesthetics include local, regional, conscious sedation as well as general anesthesia.