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If You're Considering Breast Augmentation... Breast augmentation can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Awada. Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breast for a number of reasons:
About Breast Implants Breast implants are medical devices with a solid silicone, rubber shell. The implant shell may be filled with either saline solution (sterile salt water) or elastic silicone gel. Both saline and silicone gel breast implants are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Approval means that an implant has been rigorously researched and tested, and reviewed by an independent panel of physicians for safety. Adult women of any age can benefit greatly from the enhancement breast implants provide. It is usually recommended, however, that a woman's breasts are fully developed prior to placement of breast implants. Saline implants are FDA approved for augmentation in women 18 years of age and older. Silicone implants are FDA approved for augmentation in women age 22 and older. Saline or silicone implants may be recommended at a younger age if used for reconstruction purposes. You should be aware that breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants. Regular examinations for breast health and to evaluate the condition of your implants are important whether you have chosen saline or silicone breast implants. Getting the Best Results When considering breast augmentation, there are a few key decisions that require careful consideration to ensure that you will be confident and ultimately satisfied with your results: desired breast size, implant location (behind or in front of the muscle), incision location, and implant type (silicone versus saline). In determining desired breast size, consideration should include your body habitus (i.e., your height, weight, chest width, and breast measurements), your desired cup size, and your tissue characteristics. Trying on implant sizers with Dr. Awada is an effective method to determine the appropriate size. This exercise will assist you in determining what you want, what your body tissue can support, and what will look proportional and appropriate for your body. Your decision regarding implant location and incision location should be driven by similar considerations. Finally, choosing whether to go with saline or silicone filled implants requires an understanding of the different physical characteristics of the implants and how that relates to your body, your results, and your long term responsibilities. Until recently, women seeking cosmetic breast augmentation were limited to saline filled breast implants. But in November 2006, the FDA approved the use of silicone implants in cosmetic breast augmentation in women age 22 and older. Both saline and silicone implants utilize a shell of silicone rubber. But saline implants are inflated to the desired size with saline (salt water), while silicone implants are pre-filled with a silicone gel that more closely resembles the soft, spongy, and supple feel of natural breast tissue. The water fill of a saline implant gives it properties that are similar to a water balloon. When the implant is under filled it will tend to be softer, but rippling and wrinkling may be more prominent. When a saline implant is filled enough to lessen the ripples and wrinkles, it becomes firmer. This firmness makes it less supple when compared to the gel in silicone. The saline implant also tends to hold its rounded shape regardless of the patient's posture (lying, leaning, or sitting). Despite these limitations, many patients are pleased and comfortable in choosing saline filled implants. While either saline or silicone implants have the potential to leak, the ability to detect a leak varies between them. When a saline implant leaks, your body absorbs the saline and it is obvious that a deflation has occurred. The obviously deflated implant is removed and replaced. On the other hand, when a silicone implant leaks, it is not as obvious. Leakage may sometimes be detected by irregular feeling but typically requires an MRI. Currently it is recommended that an MRI be obtained every three years after silicone breast enhancement. If silicone leakage occurs, the implant and implant gel material is removed and replaced. Each patient is unique, with individual concerns, diverse breast characteristics, and various desires. A thorough discussion and examination with Dr. Awada will enable you to make an informed decision that best meets your specific needs and gets you your desired results. Learn more about a breastlift, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, eyelid surgery, or nose surgery or call this female plastic surgeon in Michigan to schedule a consultation. |
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