More Frequently Asked Questions about Breast Enhancement Surgery
How do I choose between silicone and saline breast implants?
The type of breast implant you select for breast augmentation truly is a matter of personal preference. Surgically speaking, both saline breast implants and silicone breast implants are safe. It’s important to speak with your prospective plastic surgeon before breast enhancement surgery not only about the type of breast implant, but also about the shape and size as those factors will also heavily influence your overall breast surgery results. Many plastic surgeons will allow you to “try on” the different types and sizes of implants during consultation to get an idea of consistency, shape, and weight.
Do breast implants change how often I should receive mammograms?
Breast enhancement patients should receive a mammogram before their surgery to serve as a benchmark to compare post-surgery mammograms. According to current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines, women over the age of 50 should receive mammograms as directed by their physician (typically every two years) (The National Cancer Institute recommends: Women 40 years and older should get a mammogram every 1 to 2 years). If you are a patient with a family history of breast cancer it’s even more important to receive regular mammograms, as directed by your physician for preventative measures.
Is it true that breast implants become hard over time?
No, breast implants themselves are filled with either sterile saline solution or a silicone gel which cannot become “hard.” However, scar tissue can form around the implants and become thickened and tough over time. This breast surgery complication, known as capsular contracture, is best avoided by strictly adhering to your plastic surgeon’s breast surgery aftercare instructions (i.e. wearing the appropriate supportive undergarments during healing, avoiding strenuous activity during recovery, etc.).
How young is too young for breast implants?
Just as with any other plastic surgery, whether its rhinoplasty (nose surgery), facelift, or another type of surgery, careful consideration of the potential emotional and physical effects is needed. There is no concrete age at which breast augmentation is suggested. Most plastic surgeons, including myself, prefer to perform breast surgery on physically mature women, as continued growth can dramatically impact your breast augmentation results and create the need for breast revision surgery if done too early.
What does male breast surgery entail?
Most male breast surgery is performed to get rid of excess fat and glandular tissue contributing to an over-feminized appearance. During male breast reduction, liposuction is used to remove the fat underneath the skin while the tougher, glandular tissue is excised through a series of minimally invasive incisions.