It’s understandable that there are so many myths about breast implants and breast augmentation surgery. A cosmetic procedure that can produce such dramatic changes, and provokes so much discussion, tends to lend itself to misinformation spreading very quickly.
This page is aimed at correcting some of the more common, though certainly not all, myths out there about breast implants. Please read them over before going in for your consultation with your plastic surgeon.
Myth #1: Breast Augmentation Is Risky For Women Over 50
Actually, women of almost any age are potential candidates for breast augmentation as long as they’re:
- In good medical health and
- Breast cancer free
Females of all ages have undergone this cosmetic surgery. The real qualifier is your medical condition, not your age. Some tests may be required for your safety, but your age alone will rarely be the one reason for disqualification as a patient.
Myth #2: Patients can have any shape or size breast implant they desire.
The reality is that your body shape and size will restrict the range of breast implant size available to you. Still, you should bring photographic examples or a clear idea of what you want to the consultation(s) with the surgeon. The more you both know about your goal, the better the augmentation will result.
Myth #3: Breast implants must be removed every 10 years
Currently there’s no specific measurement for predicting how long your – or anyone’s – breast implants will last. For some there will come a time for their removal or replacement due to different reasons. For others, their breast implants may last a lifetime.
Myth #4 There’s one “Best” breast augmentation incision
Often patients believe that one breast augmentation incision technique is the best for all. That is not true.
Instead, your plastic surgeon should have the experience and knowledge that give them a choice of incision areas and techniques. They should select them based on your unique body type and with the best cosmetic result in mind. This will vary from patient to patient, so what worked for one will not be appropriate for another.
Myth #5: Breast implants rupture easily.
Breast implants do not rupture nearly as often as believed. Breast implants are actually tested rigorously for this eventuality. One way is by using a machine that presses them between 2 metal plates at a rate of 200 compressions per minute. This pressure is much greater than anything they will experience in your daily life.
Though rupturing does occur, the vast majority of breast implants remain intact in patients for years after their augmentation surgery.
Keep these points in mind when looking for a plastic surgeon and so you have a clearer idea of what can be accomplished with breast implant surgery.
Posts tagged ‘Implant’
Breast augmentation is the most common aesthetic surgery today and no more remains a medical calling. People get breast enhancement and augmentation also for reasons like being bullied having teenage boy breasts in university or due to the trauma concerning a boyfriend’s rejection.
There have been many horror stories concerning the boob job like the breasts get hardened in the sun after the surgery or leak due to the physician’s negligence in something as invasive and body-altering. But there have also been success stories where women have new found confidence and are comfortable with their bodies.
The physicians reveal that most of the mothers opt for a breast lift or enhancement post partum as they experience the ‘pancake effect’ where the breasts lose their volume. The many facts that women should know about the surgery are: breast augmentation is not for every women and only those who would be able to adapt to the changes should consider breast augmentation. There have also been innovations like natural implants and change in the procedure. Earlier, the implants were inserted through the nipple or areola but now, implants are inserted underneath three layers of skin and muscle.
There have been many cases where after the surgery, there is a loss of sensitivity in the nipples and it also looks fake. But there are newer methods of inserting the implants under the muscle wall which pushes the natural breast tissue forward to give a natural look, better support, reduce chances of sagging implants and additional reconstruction after a few years.
There have always been questions about silicones but it is now called safe as cohesive silicone gel prosthesis are used which do not tear and are completely safe but one should ensure that quality silicone is being used during the operation as the breasts need to be redone if the implant tear. There are always mixed reactions about silicone due to its bad reputation. That was because, years ago, when silicone was injected into the breast, it was mixed with something else which was not safe and would penetrate into the tissues and the job was done by amateurs. It is a myth that silicone causes cancer because that is the only thing approved for breast implant if one has got mastectomy after breast cancer and wants implants done.
The surgery leaves incision scars but they are only an inch long, under the breast, which can be removed through laser and one can return to their normal life very soon.
With a popular cosmetic procedure like breast augmentation, there’s never a shortage of half-truths and ‘I heard that…’ declarations that spread quickly. In light of this we’ve addressed some more of the myths that are out there.
MYTH: Breast augmentation creams/lotions are an effective, cheap substitute for breast implants.
The surprise is that many of these creams & lotions actually can enlarge the breasts. However, there are strict limits there.
They work by swelling the skin, which only brings temporary and not very noticeable results. They will not produce a significant change in your form if that is what you’re seeking.
MYTH: Breast implants can cause breast cancer
This issue has gotten a lot of attention, causing many women to decide against augmentation in an understandable concern for their health. The truth is that no medical studies or evidence have shown a link between implants and breast cancer. Women who have undergone breast augmentation do not have a greater incidence of breast cancer.
MYTH: Bruising should be expected after your breast augmentation surgery
Actually, the vast majority of patients have little to no bruising at all after their surgery. Bruising is a result of bleeding underneath the skin. Under the care of an experienced plastic surgeon, and the use of the latest cosmetic technology and techniques, any bleeding can now be minimized.
The past few years have seen huge leaps in this area of medical surgery. Therefore, though bruising is a possibility, your chances of experiencing it are greatly reduced today. However, your surgeon’s skill and knowledge will play a large part in this. Therefore some research is required and is recommended.
MYTH: A specific cc number produces one specific cup size
Actually, cc’s are just one part of the equation. The actual cup size produced from augmentation is a result of the cc amount added to the breast tissue you have now. For example, 2 women with the same pre-augmentation cup size but different amounts of breast tissue will get different size breasts after augmentation – even though they have the same amount of cc units in their implants.
When you come in for your consultation with your cosmetic surgeon, remember this. You want to discuss a cup size result, rather than a certain amount of cc units, to express what you’re looking for in your breast augmentation.
Arm yourself with the truth about breast augmentation and you’ll be in a good position to choose a surgeon and ask the questions that are important.
