Posts Tagged ‘implant’

Your Breast Implant Options

When you choose to have breast implants, that is not the last important decision regarding the procedure that you will make. Once you decide to go for it, you still have to decide what type of implant to use, where to position it, and where your incision will be. With all of that to think about, I will show you some options, so that you can consider which implants fit you best.

What type of breast implant can I get?

Hmm… silicone or saline? Neither is a better or worse choice. Each option has it’s own benefits:

Silicone is considered to look and feel more natural. One drawback to silicone implants is sometimes the implant can “ripple” underneath the skin.

Saline can be put into place easier and with less scarring. The saline can be absorbed by the body if it should leak. Where will my implant be placed?

You have the option of having your implant placed in 1 of 3 areas:

1. Behind the breast but in front of the muscles and tissues in your chest wall.

2. Behind the tissues in the breast and partially behind the muscles in your chest wall.

3. Placed completely behind the tissues and muscles in your chest wall.

Where will my incision be?

You also have the option of choosing 1 of 4 spots on your body for the surgeon to make your incision. Each of these spots has their own benefits.

Under your breast – the first choice for your incision involves the area directly underneath your breasts, where they and your chest meet. This natural crease serves as the perfect place to hide an undesired scar that may result from your breast implant procedure. When the incision is made here, the resulting scar will be easily hidden by a bra, swimsuit top, or even the breast itself. In many cases the only time someone will be able to see your scar is if they actually lift the breast and look underneath. This type of breast implant procedure is performed by making an incision at the crease and simply sliding the implant up into the breast area.

Around your nipple – The second choice for your incision involves your nipple and the surrounding areola. This is one incision choice that can leave you with absolutely zero detectable scarring. This incision is also the best choice when it comes to allowing the surgeon to control your bleeding during your breast implant procedure. This type of breast implant procedure is performed by making an incision around your areola and then placing the breast implant into the breast through this incision.

Under your arm pit – the third choice for your incision involves your arm pit area. Choosing to have your incision here means that you will have absolutely no scarring on your breast, but you may have some in the arm pit area where the incision was made. Women who choose this incision usually do so because they want to ensure that there will be no scarring on their breast. This type of breast implant procedure is performed by making an incision in the arm pit and routing the implant to the breast area from there.

Around your navel area – this last option for your incision involves your navel area. This is another place that ensures that you will have absolutely no scarring on your breast, and many women that choose this incision do so because of this reason. This type of breast implant procedure is performed by making an incision around the edge of your belly button and routing the implant to the breast area from there.

Make sure to talk to your physician about each of these options and voice your concerns and needs. He or she will be able to tell you which choice may be right for you based on your preferences.

breast implant 7

Image taken on 2010-08-30 11:24:54 by matthewlucas.

Breast Implant: Top 10 List About Breast Implants

Breast implant types, sizes, and manufactures vary widely.  If you are a breast implant candidate, you will want to research the different benefits for each different type of breast implant.

Organize your research so that you are ready to talk with your plastic surgeon regarding the breast implant type you are interested in.  If you attend the breast implant consultation well prepared, you will be more likely to be satisfied with the results.

Start with this Top 10 list about Breast Implants:

1)      What are the different types of breast implants?

2)      In what different sizes does a breast implant come?

3)      What is the right size of breast implant for my body type?

4)      Where is the best breast implant incision area?

5)      Breast implant profile and projection: what does it mean?

6)      What are the various breast implant recovery garments needed?

7)      Breast implant costs:  how much and how can I finance?

8)      How long is the breast warranty good for?

9)      Will I ever have to replace my breast implant?

10)  What are the breast implant risks?

With an organized list you can begin your research using the sites referenced below.  Gain as much knowledge as you can so that you make the most use out of your breast augmentation consultation.

Now that silicone breast implants have made it to the marketplace, your research will need to be a bit more expansive.  Silicone breast implants have the advantage of being soft to the touch with a more natural breast appearance.  However, they are more limited in terms of surgical incision methods and cost a bit more, as well.

Research thoroughly your choice in breast implant size.  The leading cause of all breast implant revision procedures is to simply to change breast implant size alone.  Experiment with a breast implant sizing system,  look at before and after photos on the internet, and talk with your family and friends before you go in for your consultation.

The following websites are great resources of information:

1)   www.LwGatz.com     

2)   www.implantinfo.com     

3)   www.implantforum.com

Do not underestimate the risks of breast augmentation.  It is an expensive, surgically invasive procedure.  While it is fun to think about your body with a new breast size, be sure you take the matter seriously and research breast implants thoroughly.

Use this Top 10 list to get started.  Then meet with your board certified plastic surgeon to begin the process of breast augmentation.  Your doctor will be glad that you have been engaged in learning about the process before you consultation.

Breast Implant Sizing: How Will You Feel About Your New Breast Size?

Ask a woman how she feels about breast augmentation after the procedure was done. Studies show that by far most women who have had the procedure done are glad they have done it. If they have a complaint it is usually related to their choice of breast implant size. In fact, the leading cause of subsequent surgeries is really just to change the size of the breast implant. Why is this happening?

Let’s take a moment and examine how most patients are choosing their breast implant size. In most cases, patients are basing their choice of breast implant size on how various breast implant sizers look on other women’s bodies. They are encouraged to look at before and after photos and decide what breast size is right for them. In other cases, women are encouraged to cut out pictures of models with breast sizes they imagine will be right for themselves. Unfortunately, different breast implant sizes look different on each woman’s body. This system is just not working well.

Women who are satisfied after breast augmentation surgery talk about how they “feel” about their new breast size. Studies show the main reason women choose breast augmentation is to feel better about their breasts. If that is the case, how is a woman supposed to know how she will “feel” in a C cup or D cup based upon looking at photos? Breast augmentation is rarely just about appearance. Rather, breast augmentation is about feeling better about your breast size through the use of breast implants.

Why are doctors using photos and digital imaging to help patients choose their breast implant size? Unfortunately, it has been the only way to help patients until recently. From the early days of plastic surgery, doctors have presented patients with pictures, photos, and digital software for a patient to see how she will look. For most women, however, “the feeling” is more important than “the look”. To truly address the problem of breast implant size, the industry must make moves to help a woman choose her new breast size based upon experience instead of on photos and visualization.

Breast implant sizers are a step in the right direction. With breast implant sizing systems, a patient gets to feel the difference of a B cup, C cup, or D cup. The patient gets the opportunity to see how she feels about herself in each cup size before she makes a final decision. While the doctor may emphasize the way she looks, the patient can now make a decision based upon how she feels. As more and more patients experiment with breast implant sizers we may eventually see more women satisfied with their breast implant size choice after breast augmentation.

The breast implant size choice should be yours to make. You can take charge of that decision by experimenting with breast implant sizers to feel the difference. Try wearing a C cup out shopping one day. Later that day go out for a night on the town and pay attention to how you feel about yourself. The next weekend try the same experiment with a D cup. The more time you invest in trying various breast sizes, the more likely you will be satisfied with your breast augmentation size choice.

Choosing the Right Breast Implant

If you’re considering a breast augmentation, you’ve probably read enough to be confused about whether to choose saline implants of silicone gel implants. Your choice of breast implant will depend on your and your doctor’s decisions about what is best for your body. In this article, we’ll compare the different types of implants in use for today’s breast augmentation surgeries.

Saline Implants:
The majority of today’s breast augmentations are done with silicone rubber implants filled with saline. These are currently the only implants available in the US to women who seek cosmetic breast augmentation surgery. Saline implants are either round or teardrop shape. The round implant placed beneath the pectoral muscle or sub pectoral, is perhaps the most commonly utilized combination. The implant is flattened in its upper poles by the overlying muscle producing an appealing breast shape. Rotation of the implant, a potential problem with a teardrop implant is avoided with the round implant beneath the muscle. Teardrop implants are more likely to be utilized when the placement is on top of the muscle beneath the breast tissues or sub glandular. Sub glandular teardrop implants may produce more cleavage as they may be placed a bit closer to the midline, they are less likely to produce unusual breast movements as the pectoral muscles are flexed. Your choice will depend on your idea of the ideal breast shape and your doctor’s preferences.

Saline implants are constructed of a tough outer silicone shell with a saline solution inside. Saline implants also come in either a smooth or a textured variety. Textured saline implants were developed to encourage tissue adherence and to reduce the risk of capsular contracture. Some saline implants also come in an expandable variety in which the saline implant can be enlarged by adding more saline after surgery. The expandable implant allows the overlying tissues to gradually adapt to the new size and is often utilized in breast reconstruction or in cases of marked breast asymmetry. This type of saline breast implant is more expensive than traditional saline implants.

Silicone Gel Implants:
The first implants used in breast augmentation surgery were made of a variety of materials, but in 1964 a silicone rubber envelope filled with a silicone gel implant was utilized and quickly became the standard for breast enlargement. However, silicone gel has not been routinely used in breast augmentations since 1992, when they were banned by the FDA following reports of leakage that was thought to cause tissue diseases. In the years since, many studies have failed to confirm these concerns.

In the years since silicone implants were banned, the cohesive silicone gel implant was developed and is already in use in Europe and Canada and in clinical trials in the US. The difference between silicone gel implants and the original silicone implant is that the gels have a hard, multilayer silicone shell. Inside is a cohesive silicone gel that retains its shape if ruptured because of its consistency.

Saline filled implants may be expected to produce a breast enlargement that is warmer on a cold day, and more likely to demonstrate wrinkles than the silicone gel implants. Gel implants are cooler to the touch but have a consistency that feels much like breast tissue, gel implants are more likely to develop firmness with a constricting fibrous contracture of the scar tissue that forms around the implant . Until the US FDA approves the use of silicone gel implants for breast augmentation, only women who agree to participate in clinical trials can use them.

Your doctor will be an important resource for information and can help you answer any questions that you may have about which type of implant to choose. Once you’ve done your research, asked questions, and found a great doctor, you’re well on your way to enjoying fuller breasts and a more positive self image.

Exactly What is a Breast Implant?

Virtually all breast implants are made of a round or shaped silicone elastomer (rubber) shell, and are now commonly filled with a saline solution (salt water). Saline solution is used to fill the implant because it is similar to the fluids in your body, and will be absorbed by your body should the implant leak or break.

In 1992, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) greatly restricted the use of breast implants filled with silicone gel pending more information on their physiological effects. INAMED Medical saline-filled implants are FDA approved, and are available on a prescription basis from a licensed physician.

Are All Breast Implants Created Equal?

Generally, all saline-filled breast implants are made of a silicone elastomer shell with a filling valve, for filling with the saline solution. However, to better meet each individual womans needs, breast implants come in different shapes and sizes.

Breast Implant Shape, Texture and Style

Breast implants come in a variety of shapes, surface textures, and sizes. Depending on the desired shape you wish to achieve, you and your plastic surgeon may choose a round or contoured breast implant shape. Generally, the larger you want your cup size, the larger the breast implant the plastic surgeon will consider (measured in cubic centimeters, or cc’s). All currently available INAMED breast implants have a self sealing (diaphragm) valve that is used for filling the device. Depending on the style, the filling valve may be located on the front (anterior) or the back (posterior) of the breast implant.

You should be aware that contoured breast implants that are placed submuscularly (under your chest muscle) may assume a round shape after implantation. Your plastic surgeon will also evaluate your existing tissue to determine if you have enough to cover the breast implant.

If you desire a breast implant size too large for your tissue, the plastic surgeon may warn you that breast implant edges may be apparent or visible post-operatively. You may even risk surgical complications. Also, excessively large breast implants may speed up the effects of gravity and result in earlier droop or sag.

Surface Texturing

Textured surface implants were designed to reduce the chance of capsular contracture (a hardening of the breast) Some information in the literature with small numbers of patients suggests that surface texturing reduces the chance of severe capsular contracture, but clinical information from studies of a large number of women with INAMED breast implants shows no difference in the likelihood of developing capsular contracture with textured breast implants compared to smooth surfaced breast implants.

Gummy Bear Breast Implant: Top 10 Things to Know

Gummy bear breast implants have become a popular choice in breast implant type for women considering breast augmentation. Also known as silicone cohesive gel breast implants, the gummy bear breast implant gets its popular name because of its consistency. With a very dense, high-strength silicone consistency, this implant resembles the common gummy bear candy.

Approved by the FDA in November of 2006, the silicone cohesive gel breast implant has quickly risen in terms of popularity. Besides the benefits to its look and feel, the gummy bear breast implant may be more durable and less likely to rupture than saline breast implants.

Gummy Bear Breast Implants Top 10 List of Things To Know

Appearance. One of the main advantages to this type of breast implant is that due to the consistency of the solidified gel, gummy bears tend to make the breast look natural. They hold their shape in a way that saline cannot. The are not likely to wrinkle and fold over time, and much less apt to ripple. Due to their composition they will tend to remain in an upright position and are less likely to sag.

Touch. Many women will report that this is one of the biggest advantages. The cohesive silicone gel feels more natural to the touch than a saline implant. Additionally, they do not have the occasional sloshing sound that a saline breast implant can have.

Consistency. The density of the silicone composition makes the implant feel much more like the natural tissue of your breast.

What’s it made of? Gummy bear breast implants are made of a solidified silicone gel. Silicone breast implants were approved by the FDA in November 2006 after years of study and silicone breast implant trials.

Rupture. If this type of implant ruptures it will actually hold itself together, whereas a saline breast implant will leak and shrink over a period of a few days. Unlike the original silicone breast implants, this generation now has a thick outer shell and due to its consistency is less likely to leak.

Incision Methods. The size and make up of this implant makes your choice in terms of incision method more limited. Your scars will be a bit larger so that the doctor will have room to place the implant. Importantly, the popular belly button incision method (transumbilical) is not a possibility with gummy bears. Gummy bears can be inserted through the nipple, under the breast, or through the armpit.

Durability. Only time will tell since this type of implant is relatively new to the market but the results so far are very promising.

Downside. Perhaps the biggest downsides to this type of breast implant are the costs and the limitations in incision methods. The cost today is approximately one-thousand dollars more than a saline breast implant. The possibility of a larger scar from the incision and the inability to perform belly button insertion may be a deterrence for some women.

Ask your doctor. Are silicone gel breast implants right for me? How many breast augmentations have you performed with gummy bear breast implants? What do your patients say are the benefits? What will my scar look like?

Breast Implant Size. Gummy bear breast implants are available in a wide variety of breast implant sizes. Depending upon what your goal in breast size is you may choose from sizes as small as 100cc all the way up to 1000cc. Whether you are looking to have breast augmentation to increase your bra size by one cup (approximately 150cc), two cups (300cc to 350cc), three cups or more, you will find a cohesive gel breast implant that will fit your goal size.

Breast Implant Size

As you decide upon your breast implant size it is important to note that this is one of the most critical decisions you will make. Studies show that the most common reasons women go back to their doctor for a second or third breast augmentation procedure is simply to change their breast implant size.

If you choose gummy bear breast implants you will be investing a significant amount of money, time, along with some risk. The latest industry buzz is around helping women choose their breast implant size appropriately the first time to avoid subsequent surgeries.

The latest innovation to help you choose is called The Purlz Breast Sizing System. This system actually allows you to experience various breast implant sizes over a period of time. The past methods such as the rice bag test have proven deficient in the most recent studies. By taking some time to wear these breast sizers you will experience the thoughts, emotions, and feelings associated with various breast implant sizes.

To learn more about gummy bear breast implants and The Purlz Breast Sizing System, visit http://www.LwGatz.com

Breast Augmentation: Study Shows Importance of Choosing Breast Implant Size

Breast augmentation has become the single most common cosmetic procedure in the United States.  Over 350,000 women opted for breast augmentation in 2007 alone.  The rise in popularity of breast augmentation is prompting increased attention to the choice of breast implant size.

A study out of Marina Del Rey, California includes breast implant statistics gathered by a single surgeon over a 13-year time frame.  The study includes factors which may lead to breast implant revision surgery.

Over one-third of all the breast augmentation revisions were simply to change the size of the breast implant.  The most common reason for a breast augmentation revision procedure had nothing to do with complications arising from the breast implant itself, but rather from the desire for a different breast implant size.  

If you are considering breast augmentation, take your time in making a good breast implant size decision to avoid additional surgeries. 

In recent years common methods of determining breast implant size have included:

1)      Looking at before and after photos of various breast implant sizes

2)      Using software which generates two dimensional images of what your body will look like after breast augmentation

3)      Trying on breast implant sizers at the doctors office

4)      Making home-made breast implant sizers with a bag of rice to see what you might look after breast augmentation

While all of these breast augmentation sizing methods are important aids in determining your favorite breast implant size, none of them allow you to truly experience how you will feel about various breast implant sizes on your own body. 

There is a new breast implant sizing system available today for women considering breast augmentation.  The Purlz Breast Sizing System allows you to test-drive various breast implant sizes over a period of time, while experiencing most of your daily activities.  The breast augmentation sizing system is fun to wear because it is lightweight, comfortable and looks completely natural within a bra.

The important difference with a system like this is that it allows you to experience the emotional and psychological effects of various breast implant sizes before you make your final choice in the size of your breast augmentation.

The Marina Del Rey study shows that taking the breast implant size decision seriously is critical for women considering breast augmentation.  Learn more about the Purlz Breast Sizing System by visiting their website at http://www.LwGatz.com

“I married a breast implant!”

Image taken on 2007-01-01 01:39:07 by djukami.

Will the breast implant surgery have any effects on my getting pregnant?

I want to have breast implants done to correct my uneven breast. My husband and I were also planning on having another baby in about 6 months. Can I do both? Will the breast implant surgery have any effects on my getting pregnant?