About Breast Implant Surgery
Breast Surgery, also referred to as augmentation mammoplasty, offers personalized choices to alter the size and shape of your breasts. Advanced surgical techniques and breast-implant technology have led to less invasive procedures, providing more options, and improved post-surgical outcomes. Most breast implant surgeries are completed within 1 hour, and women can return to normal activities (with certain restrictions) after a few days. You will undergo surgical procedures using general or local anesthesia, so make sure you have a plan in place to safely get home, too.
What is a Breast Implant?
A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or a salt-water solution known as saline. There are three types of implants that are available, Saline, Silicone, and Form Stable Silicone / Gummy Bear Implants.
There are different shapes, sizes, textures, and profiles available to suit individual patients’ needs and preferences. Our board-certified plastic surgeons use all implants and will help you decide which option is right for you.
Types of Breast Implants
Saline Implants
Saline-filled breast implants contain a silicone outer shell filled with a sterile saltwater solution. Saline implants are adjustable, and the surgeon can fill them with varying amounts of saline to achieve the desired size and symmetry. This is beneficial in cases of breast asymmetry, where patients may require different sizes to achieve symmetry.
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone gel implants are pre-filled with silicone gel that helps mimic the look and feel of natural breast tissue. Silicone implants offer different levels of cohesivity, pending the sizing of the implant. The cohesivity of silicone implants determines their ability to maintain shape and resist leakage, allowing the implant to align with their desired look and feel.
Implants with a thicker gel provide a more stable and form-retaining implant shape, commonly called gummy bear or form-stable implants. During your consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, you will be provided with individualized recommendations to achieve your desired outcomes.
Post-Augmentation: A Stunning Change
For breast augmentation patients, you will be cared for in the recovery room for at least one-hour after surgery. You may experience some discomfort, ice packs to the chest and the pain medication prescribed will lessen the discomfort. The initial 2-3 days might be the most uncomfortable, but you should expect chest discomfort to decrease over time.
Applying ice for 24-36 hours and resting with 3-4 pillows supporting your back can help provide relief. Regular examinations by your plastic surgeon and routine mammograms for those in the appropriate age groups at prescribed intervals will help ensure that any complications if they occur, can be detected early and treated.
Safety Considerations
Depending on what type of implant you receive will determine the type of possible safety outcomes you may have. Should deflation of a saline implant occur, the saline in the implant will be resorbed harmlessly by your body. In the event of a deflation of silicone implant, the body will not reabsorb the silicone and you will not be able to detect a leak without a mammogram or MRI. The silicone will need to be removed by your surgeon. The major implant companies guarantee the implant for life and will sometimes cover a portion of the costs of replacement.
Breast implant surgery offers a range of personalized options to enhance the size and shape of breasts. Whether you opt for saline-filled or silicone gel implants, both offer unique benefits and considerations to achieve your desired look and feel. With breast augmentation, you can embrace a stunning change that enhances your confidence and empowers you to embrace your enhanced self.
