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First two
questions to ask yourself before having Breast Implants
Why Breast Augmentation?
Breast Implants... for who?
Many times that only desire is
to regain some of their initial curve and firmness that they had
before child rearing. It is only natural to want the
allure of their youth that is a part of their femininity and
sexuality.
The Breast Implant Topics
Capsular Contraction after Breast Implants?
Loss
of Sensation After Breast Surgery?
Cancer
Screening and Breast Augmentation
Breast Implant Leakage
Breast
implant placement location: Above or below the
muscle.
Breast Implant Method
Breast
Implant Type
Breast
Implant positioning
Breast
Feeding after implants
General
Surgical Risks
 Risks
with Breast Augmentation
How does a
women decide how big her breast implants should be?
Pre-Operative
Question List
1 Breast Implant Risk
Breast
augmentation as with any operation has risks: those associated
with general surgery, and specific complications associated with
this procedure.
The
most common problem, capsular
contracture. This occurs if the scar or capsule around the
implant begins to tighten. In the early days of breast
augmentation, this occurred more often and some theorize it was
related to talc that use to be used to powder surgical gloves.
Now non talc gloves are used, and this occurs less often. The
development of a contracture around an implant can cause
the breast to feel hard. Severe contractures are treated with
implant removal or replacement.
Any
surgical procedure also carries a risk excessive bleeding.
This can occur during, or following the procedure. If it
occurs after the procedure it usually just results in increase
swelling and pain, which is temporary. If bleeding
continues, it may be necessary to go back into surgery and stop
the bleeding and remove excess blood that has accumulated.
Occasionally
an infection may occur around an implant. This is
most often seen within a week after surgery. In rare cases, the
implant may need to be removed for several months until the
infection clears. Afterwards a new implant can then be inserted.
Some
women report loss of sensation in their nipple, but they may
also become overly sensitive. Loss of
sensation is more common in breast lift-implant procedures.
The area around incision may also have small patches of
numbness, or increase sensitivity. These symptoms usually
disappear within time, but may be permanent in some patients.
It usually takes at least a full year to find out what the final
sensation will be.
2 Breast
Implant Leakage
Occasionally,
breast implants may break or leak. The saline fill is salt
water and will be absorbed by the body without ill effects.
Older
implants with silicone gel can leak also. If this occurs, one of
two things may occur. If breakage of the implant shell that has
a contracture scar around it, then it may not feel like anything
has happed. If the shell breaks and there is not a
contracture scar, then leakage into the surrounding tissue
results in a sensation that the implant is deflating. The
leaking gel may collect in the breast and a new scar may
form around it. In other cases gel can migrate through the
lymphatic system to another area of the body. Breaks
may require a second operation and replacement of the leaking
implant. If the gel has migrated it may not be possible to
remove all of the silicone gel. This silicone gel is the what
some say is related to the initiation of connective tissue
disorders.
Breast
Cancer Screen
No
link between breast implants and cancer has been found.
However, breast implants can make mammogram screening more
difficult, so it is important to find a radiology center that is
experienced in screening patients with breast implants.
Occasionally alternative or additional techniques may need to be
performed to screen for cancer. www.fda.gov
3
Breast Feeding
Breast
feeding may be a problem in certain cases. Peri-areolar
procedures seem to carry the most risk related to adequate
breast feeding. If a lift (mastopexy) is performed, then the
risk of dysfunction related to breast feeding is even greater.
(Hurst, N.M., Lactation After Augmentation Mammoplasty,
Obstetrics & Gynecology, 1996; 87: 30-34)
Of
all the breast implant surgeries performed, a few women have
reported symptoms similar to diseases of the immune system, such
as scleroderma and other arthritis-like conditions. For
the latest research click here.
The
picture below is an illustration of breast tissue. The muscle in
the picture also exists behind the yellow colored breast tissue.
This is the muscle that an implant is often place behind/under
in breast enhancement surgery. If the surgeon and
patient opt for above the muscle placement, then the implant
resides behind the breast tissue.
It is important to discuss the
pros and cons of each type of placement with your surgeon. Ask
about placement in regards to sporting activities, mammograms,
breast feeding, breast sensation, post operative dimpling and
"double-bubble" syndrome.
Breast
Implant Method
Peri-areolar: Placement of the
implant takes place through an incision most commonly placed at
the bottom, 6 o'clock, position of the areola.
Infra-mammary: Placement of
implant occurs in the crease under the breast.
Axillary- Placement of implant
occurs in the area of the arm pit.
TUBA- Placement of the implant
takes place through a small incision in the belly button area.
Then the implant is positioned endoscopically by advancing the
implant and surgical devices under the loose skin of the
abdomen.
Breast
Implant Position
Under the muscle: This
method provides more of a natural look and feel when walking.
However, when utilizing the pectoralis muscle, some patients
note the sensation of the implant being momentarily squeezed.
Recovery from this type of implantation also is a little bit
longer. There is also a risk of symmastia. This can
result if a tearing, or improper cutting of the pectoralis
muscle occurs. Symmastia is a condition in which the
breast implants cross the breast bone and touch, causing an
irregularity in the cleavage. Most of the time this must
be surgically fixed.
Over the muscle (subglandular):
This is the placement under the breast tissue but on top of the
pectoralis (chest) muscle. This method increases the
difficulty of breast tissue imaging during mammography.
There is also a greater risk of capsular contraction. This
method is thought to provide a quicker less traumatic
"fix" for breast sag because it doesn't involve the
muscle tissue. If you already have little breast tissue, this
method results in the breast appearing like a rounded
implant, and also has a greater chance of the outline of the
implant being felt.
Breast
Implant Type
Saline Filled-non expanding,
fixed volume
Saline Filled Expandable
Textured surface: Initially
developed because they thought capsular contracture occured less
frequently. This has never been proven.
Smooth Surface: Thinner shell,
but thought to be stronger.
Round
Anatomical (Tear Drop): can
shift positions if not place in correctly formed pocket.
Click
here for an excellent site that educates with very well about
Breast Augmentation
Click
here to see the proper technique in self breast examination.
top
McGhan
Corporation Statistics-post operative study statistics.
Mentor
Corporation
JAMA
American
College of Rheumatology
New
England Journal of Medicine
FDA
Canadian
Journal of Plastic Surgery
Scientific
American
ABC
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