5 Things You Need to Know About Breast Augmentation Surgery

1. Not all Breast Augmentation Surgeries are the Same

Breast augmentation surgeries include two types of implant placements: submammary and submuscular. In a submammary procedure, doctors place the breast implant just below the breast tissue. Submammary implants have an increased chance of shifting and moving and can even protrude the breast tissue. Doctors insert submuscular implants beneath the pectoralis muscle. Most implants are submuscular.

2. Safer vs. More Natural

Patients have two choices of implants for breast augmentation: saline and silicone. Saline (salt water) implants are the safer option. However, they have a tendency to feel cold, especially in cold weather activities, such as skiing or ice skating. Saline implants also make a swooshing sound, which many women find distressing. Silicone implants feel much more natural, and warm up better than saline. However, if a silicone implant ruptures, it is hard to detect. Many women report mild to severe side effects after one of their silicone implants ruptured.

3. Breast Lifts Provide an Alternative to Breast Augmentation Surgery

If you want to have breast augmentation, but are wary about implants, consider a breast lift. Technically, it is not breast augmentation, but it can reshape your breasts and add fullness, the same as implants. A breast lift is just what its name implies. The breast is lifted back to where it started, before weight gain, childbirth and breast feeding. Surgeons remove excess skin and tissue from the breast and they reposition it. The results are firmer, fuller breasts.

4. Breast Cancer Sometimes Leads to Breast Augmentation Surgery

Most breast augmentation surgery is elective or cosmetic. However, women who have undergone a mastectomy for breast cancer may opt for reconstructive surgery. Unlike elective surgeries, most health insurance companies cover breast reconstruction.

5. Augmentation Doesn't Stop After Surgery

If you undergo breast augmentation surgery involving implants, you'll eventually need revision surgery. This is because both saline and silicone implants aren't designed to last a lifetime. Most implants last between 10 to 15 years. After that, removal and/or replacement is necessary. As implants age, they become prone to breaking. Women with implants should have an MRI or mammogram every 3 years to check for leaks or ruptures.