Things you need to know about Breast Implants

Are you a little unhappy with the size or shape of your breasts? Perhaps you have had to have a breast removed due to a medical condition like cancer and are worried about it? For reasons like these, you may be thinking about getting a breast implant. This is a topic that many people may not want to talk about openly, but it is an important one for many. This is a very personal decision you make about your body. So today, let's talk about everything there is to know about this, and all the questions you have in your mind, in a very simple way.

Simply put, what are breast implants?

Breast Implants are specially designed prostheses that are surgically inserted into your breasts. Think of them as small bags. The outer covering of these bags is made of silicone. There are two types of these bags, depending on what they contain:

1. Silicone Gel Filled Types: These have a thick gel inside. They are very similar to the feel of a natural breast.

2. Saline-filled types: These contain sterile salt water. The empty bag is inserted during surgery and then filled with saline.

This surgery is performed by specialist doctors called plastic surgeons.

Who does this? For what reasons?

Getting breast implants is a completely personal decision. Being able to do what you want with your body can be very empowering. There are two main reasons for this.

• Breast Reconstruction: This is done for women who have had a mastectomy (surgical removal of one or both breasts) due to a medical condition, especially breast cancer. It helps to restore the appearance of the removed breast and helps to build their mental strength and self-confidence.
• Breast Augmentation: This is done when healthy individuals are dissatisfied with the shape or size of their breasts. This is also commonly called a "boob job".

These are some of the main reasons why someone might consider having breast augmentation:

• To restore previous breast size: Breast size can decrease after childbirth, weight loss, or aging. This can help them get back to their desired size.
• Correcting breast asymmetry: Some people's breasts are not the same size or shape. While this is normal, for some people, if the difference is too noticeable, this method is used to correct it.
• To increase self-confidence: Many people turn to this to increase the self-confidence and mental well-being that come from being happy with their body's appearance.

Which type gives the most natural look and feel?

This is a question that many people have. Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, it is possible to achieve very natural results. Silicone is generally considered to give a more natural feel than saline . However, there are several other factors that go into this decision.

Placement of the implant

There are two main ways the doctor can place this implant inside your breast:

1. Submuscular Placement (under the chest muscle): Here, the implant is placed under your breast tissue and chest muscles. This means that the implant is placed on top of your natural breast tissue. This makes it feel more natural to the touch.

2. Subglandular Placement (under the breast tissue): Here the implant is placed under the breast tissue, but above the chest muscle. If you have enough natural breast tissue, this method will also give a natural look. However, if you have less breast tissue, the edge of the implant may be felt or visible.

Shell Texture of the Implant

The outer shell of the implant can be smooth or textured.

• Smooth Shells: These are thin, so they feel more natural to the touch. They also move more freely with body movements, just like a natural breast.
• Textured Shells: These are slightly thicker. They feel like the rough side of a sponge. This roughness helps the implant adhere to the surrounding tissue, making it less likely to move or rotate.

Shape of the implant

• Round: Has a round shape like a donut.
• Teardrop: These are thin at the top and become fuller towards the bottom. They are shaped exactly like a natural breast. They are also called "Gummy Bear" implants because they do not lose their shape even when cut in half, like a gummy bear.

After considering all of this, your doctor will help you choose the type that best suits your body and your expectations.

What happens before the surgery?

Because this is a big decision, your doctor will discuss many things with you before the surgery.

Women's breasts typically develop until they are 18-22 years old. Therefore , the minimum age recommended for saline implants is 18 years old , and the minimum age recommended for silicone implants is 22 years old .

Your doctor will check your physical and mental health. He or she may ask you questions like:

• Why do you want to have this surgery?
• What kind of result do you expect?
• Is your husband, partner, or friends pressuring you to do this?
• Do you overthink the smallest flaws in your body?

Then, the doctor will examine you to choose the implant that best suits your body. They will measure your height, weight, shoulder width, and waist width. This is because someone with broad shoulders may need a larger implant. Also, if a large implant is placed on someone with a smaller body, it can cause pain in the back, neck, and shoulders.

How the surgery is performed

You will be fully anesthetized during the surgery. This means you will be completely asleep and will not feel any pain.

After you are asleep, the doctor will make a small incision in a place where there will be little visible scarring. The implant will be inserted through that incision.

After the incision is made, the implant is inserted through it and positioned under or over the muscle as previously discussed. The incision is then closed and sutured.

After surgery and recovery period

After the surgery, your breasts will be covered with a special bra or compression band. Once the anesthesiologist stops giving you the medication, you will gradually regain consciousness. You will be taken to a recovery room, where medical staff will watch over you until you recover.

When you wake up, you may feel a little sluggish, have breast pain, and feel a tightness in your chest. You will be monitored for a few hours and then allowed to go home once your condition has stabilized. You will definitely need someone to take you home and look after you for the first 24 hours.

Here is the recovery time:

• First 5-7 days: This is when the pain is most intense. Your breasts may be swollen and bruised. There may be some bleeding from the incisions. Use painkillers exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Weeks 1-2: Pain and discomfort will be greatly reduced. You can start light work (like office work). However, avoid lifting weights, running, or lifting your arms above your head.
• After a few weeks: Swelling and pain will continue to decrease. You can start light exercise. But don't do anything heavy like lifting weights just yet.
• Weeks 6-8: By now your body is almost completely healed.

What are the benefits and risks?

Like any surgery, this one has both benefits and risks.

Advantages

• Durability: These usually last about 10 years.
• Safety: Breast implant surgery is a relatively safe surgery. The risk of complications is low.
• Increased self-confidence: Being happy with your appearance increases your mental well-being and self-confidence.

Risks

• Complications: Short-term complications such as bleeding may occur during or after surgery. Long-term complications such as scar tissue forming around the implant and hardening may also occur.
• Reoperation required: These are not lifelong items. Problems can arise over time, and more surgery may be needed to remove, replace, or reposition them.
• BIA-ALCL (Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma): This is not breast cancer. This is a very rare type of cancer that involves the immune system. It develops in the tissues surrounding the implant. It has been found to be more associated with implants with a textured shell.
• Breastfeeding difficulties: Many people can successfully breastfeed their babies even with implants. However, for some, the ability to breastfeed or the amount of milk produced may be affected.

Talk openly with your doctor about all these risks before surgery and ask any questions you may have.

Breast Implants, Silicone, Saline, Breast Surgery, Breast Augmentation, Plastic Surgery