FAQ About Breast Implants Technique

Breast implants have received mixed reviews over the years. Some people love them and others aren’t so sure. The best way to make a wise decision about augmentation is by being well informed. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about these medical devices.

- What are they filled with? The types on the market today are most commonly filled with either saline, which is a liquid very similar to the salt water contained by a human body, or a silicone solution.

- How are they inserted into the chest region? A cosmetic surgeon makes an incision in order to place the implants. The incision may be directly below the nipple and areola, in the armpit, via the navel or beneath the folded crease of the breast. These sites are chosen so that the scar will be hidden or barely noticeable. The incision location will depend on patient and doctor preference.

- Is there an age limit for having this type of augmentation performed? The FDA, which is short for the Food and Drug Administration, has ruled that silicone implants not be inserted for cosmetic reasons before a woman’s 22nd birthday. This age was selected in order to make certain that a woman’s body was fully developed and mature before undergoing surgery. For reconstructive surgery, there is no age limit.

- Why were silicone breast implants taken off of the market a few years back? Some recipients claimed that they had become sick because of the devices. The FDA removed them from the market in order to do extensive studies regarding their safety. So far, there has been no evidence linking the devices with health problems.

- What’s the difference between saline and silicone as a filling? The devices filled with saline tend to be a bit firmer than those filled with silicone. The softer ones have been deemed to have a more natural feel, but this is also a personal preference. Those filled with saline are usually inflated after they’ve been placed in the body, meaning that the incision may be smaller.

- How much do these items cost? There is a wide range of prices and it will depend of the surgeon, the individual patient and the city, town or locale. Some parts of the country are pricier than others. When a patient is calculating prospective costs, she should be sure to add in fees for the operating room and anesthesiologist. Prices can range from a few thousand dollars on up.

A patient’s choice regarding which physician to use should not be based merely on costs. A surgeon’s reputation, skill level and experience with this procedure are much more important decision making criteria.