| Breast implantation is a surgical procedure for | | | | which can affect the shape, firmness and feel of |
| enlarging, or augmenting, the breast. Implants are | | | | the breast. If the implant shell leaks the saline will |
| breast shaped pouches made of a silicone and | | | | be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body. |
| filled with silicone gel or saline (salt water). | | | | The recovery period varies from person to |
| You can choose from several breast implants...it all | | | | person. Usually patients can resume their normal |
| depends on what you want. For example, you | | | | schedule in approximately one week's time. |
| may want to increase the size of genetically | | | | Typically, you can resume all routines (exercise |
| smaller breasts or you may want to restore your | | | | etc) in about three weeks. The scars will be red |
| breasts to a pre-pregnancy appearance. The type | | | | for about a month after the surgery, but will fade |
| of breast implant you choose is based on your | | | | within one to two years. |
| anatomical factors. You and your surgeon should | | | | Implants can also make it more difficult to |
| agree about the desired result. Some doctors use | | | | interpret mammograms, possibly delaying breast |
| computer models to assess expected results so | | | | cancer detection. Breast implant rupture is another |
| that you can see what the final result will look like. | | | | common complication of the surgery. When |
| Type of implants | | | | breast implants fail, they often deflate quickly and |
| Silicone gel implants | | | | can be easily removed. The risk of leaking is very |
| Silicone implants are filled with an elastic gel. The | | | | low for the first few years, but it may be a good |
| gel feel much like natural breast tissue.Silicone | | | | idea to have the implants replaced because of |
| implants vary in shape, shell surface (textured | | | | leaking sometime in the future. |
| smooth), volume and shell thickness. Most silicone | | | | Alternatives |
| implants are not adjustable. | | | | BRAVA system - The system costs |
| Saline Implants | | | | approximately $2,500 and was reviewed by the |
| Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. | | | | FDA. |
| They can be filled with varying amounts of saline | | | | |