Your decision to undergo breast augmentation with implants is highly personal, and it’s natural to want to find out as much information about the procedure as possible before moving forward. Breast implants can improve the proportions of the figure, creating a more feminine, shapely silhouette. They can also help women enjoy a wider range of clothing choices when it comes to swimwear, eveningwear, dresses, and tops. Whether you want to undergo breast enhancement as part of a mommy makeover or you’re seeking to revitalize the breasts after illness or injury, you will first need to explore the pros and cons of implants in order to make a confident and informed choice.
Exploring implant types
Implants come with two different types of filling: Silicone and saline. A frank discussion regarding your goals, budget, and expectations for your results will help your provider to make the best recommendation for your unique needs.
- Saline – Saline implants are less expensive than silicone ones, and they can be inserted unfilled, which means a smaller incision and smaller scars. If a saline implant ruptures, it is easy to catch right away because the chest will appear deflated. On the flip side, Saline implants tend to feel firmer and less authentic than natural breast tissue, and they are more prone to rupturing.
- Silicone – Silicone implants, which come in a wide array of shapes and sizes, are highly natural both in how they look and how they feel to the touch. They are less likely to rupture than saline implants, thanks to their specialized cohesive gel. However, silicone implants are pricier, and inserting them requires a bigger incision, which can result in more conspicuous scarring.
What are the dangers of breast implants?
While breast augmentation surgery has one of the highest satisfaction rates among all cosmetic surgeries, the procedure does come with some risks to be aware of. All surgeries come with the risk of infection, bleeding, and pain, but implants have their own separate risks to be aware of. In the past year, the FDA has revised its warnings and labels to help women make more informed decisions.
Risks of implants may include:
- Breast implant illness (BII) – This is a group of symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, concentration problems, and sleep disturbances that may arise after the insertion of implants.
- Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) – This is a rare complication in which the body develops a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after housing implants. It has been linked to the use of textured devices.
- Capsular contracture – Here, there is a hardening of the scar tissue in the capsule around the implant. It can cause discomfort and aesthetic distortion.
- Implant leakage or rupture – When this occurs, there is a danger that the body can absorb toxic substances.
- More difficult to detect breast cancer – Implants have been found to obscure breast tumors in imaging studies.
Is there an alternative to breast augmentation with implants?
Breast implants remain the gold standard when it comes to increasing cup size and achieving a more voluptuous figure. The alternative to implant surgery is a fat transfer augmentation procedure. This treatment involves extracting fat cells via liposuction from a donor area such as the hips, thighs, or stomach. The fat cells are then purified and sterilized before being injected into the chest to increase breast volume.
While fat transfer comes with fewer risks than implant surgery, it can only increase the bust by one cup size at most. For many women, this does not support the dramatic results they seek. Additionally, fat transfer breast augmentation is only appropriate for those who have excess fat available to draw from. Those with minimal body fat may not qualify for the surgery.
What is the takeaway?
Breast augmentation with implants remains the most effective way to enhance the bust and achieve a fuller, rounder chest. Each implant type comes with its own risks and options that should be explored in depth during the initial consultation. Breast implant surgery, in general, comes with several health risks to be aware of, including BII, BIA-ALCL, capsular contracture, and rupture, although choosing a qualified, credentialed plastic surgeon can help to minimize these risks. Fat transfer breast augmentation is a viable alternative to implant surgery for those seeking more subtle results, but it may not be right for everyone. As with any cosmetic procedure, there is simply no substitute for speaking with an experienced breast surgeon one-on-one, who can answer your questions specifically rather than hypothetically.