The Pros and Cons of Breast Implants

Breast implants are generally a safe surgical option for women who want to permanently increase the size of their bust. While plastic surgeons have tried for centuries to create a safe breast implant, the saline and silicone options that are available today are fairly new. As a result, there are still some precautions patients must take both before and after receiving breast implants.

In the world of plastic surgery and breast implants, silicone implants have more popularity among patients than the saline option. Many patients and doctors feel that the silicone solution implants are more realistic, both in their overall look and feel. However, there are some health concerns associated with the use of silicone breast implants, and patients must take some extra precautions in the years following the breast implant surgery. Unlike saline, the silicone solution in silicone implants is not absorbed by the body in the event of a rupture. Therefore, if you opt for silicone implants, you will need to make additional appointments with your doctor at least once a year for the next five years to be sure that the implant has not ruptured. Silicone implants come pre-filled to the desired size before being inserted into the breast. Many times, this will cause more scarring because the surgeon will need to make a bigger incision in order to properly insert the implants. This can cause more noticeable scarring, and a longer recovery time. In the past, there had been some concerns that the silicone solution was harmful to the body and could cause autoimmune disease or cancer. Although these claims have been researched and unproven, there is the possibility of forming hard scar tissue around the implant if there is a rupture. This is why the plastic surgeon must have several follow-ups with the patient to avoid any complications associated with the use of silicone breast implants.

Many people are not aware that saline implants are empty shells with a thick silicone covering. During breast augmentation surgery, they are placed inside the breast, and then filled with the saline solution to the desired size. This has many advantages to the patient including, the better ease with placing the implant inside the breast, which makes for a smaller incision. Therefore, a smaller incision means less scarring for the patient, which is a big concern for patients receiving silicone implants. Saline implants can produce quality results. However, there are also some cosmetic issues associated with using saline implants. Many patients with little to no original breast tissue have noticed that saline implants create a visible “ripple” look. This is why many plastic surgeons do not recommend saline implants for breast reconstruction or for patients will small breasts; saline implants simply do not look natural enough in these patients.

Breast implants can provide an improved look and feel to the breasts, which can be a confidence booster for many women. However, it is not a miracle cure and there are many factors you should consider before going through with getting breast implants. Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss some of these issues to get a complete understanding of breast implants.