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1. When can I resume normal activities?
After four to six weeks following surgery. |
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2. Should I be at my ideal weight before I have implants?
Ideally you should be close to your normal weight, as further weight loss or gain tends to change your look. |
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3. When can I wear an underwire bra?
It is best to wait about three months to allow scar tissue to settle. |
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4. How long will the implants last?
The time period varies from woman to woman – some women need replacement surgery in only a few years while others may go 10-20 years. General literature states that the average life expectancy is 8 – 16 years. Sometimes it is a matter of choice – such as size change or variation of implant style. Sometimes removal and replacement is necessary because of a complication such as deflation, capsular contraction or shifting of the implant. |
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5. How long does it take for the swelling to go down?
This may vary - at ten / fourteen days the breasts will begin to settle and all swelling should have resolved by 6 weeks. |
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6. Will my nipple sensation be the same?
There can be changes in nipple sensation. Feeling can increase or decrease or stay the same. Nerves that supply the nipple come from the lateral aspect of the breast and care is always taken to preserve them. The larger the implant the more likely it may be damaged (as a much larger pocket is needed) or stretched. Sensation may improve with time, or not. |
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7. Will my breasts be perfectly symmetrical?
Augmentation does not correct the asymmetry of the breasts and the implants usually take the shape of the breasts. If there is a marked asymmetry in size this can be partially corrected by using different implant sizes and possibly shapes. |
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8. Will I be able to breastfeed after implants?
Your breasts will enlarge and go through all the usual changes associated with pregnancy. Current studies indicate that women with implants either gel or saline, do not have any higher levels of silicone in their milk than women without implants. Some women may experience mastitis (inflammation of the breast ducts) and taking antibiotics when symptoms first appear may minimise the risk of resulting capsular contraction. |
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9. What causes capsular contractions?
The body’s natural response creates a layer of scar tissue (capsule) around the entire surface of any type of implant. Ideally the scar tissue will remain thin and pliable. However if the scar tissue shrinks and thickens (contracts) it may compress the implant making the breast round and firm. Some women have no scar problems. However it is believed that the surgical method - a submuscular placement, using textured implants minimising post operative swelling and bleeding can modify the body’s response. However there is growing epidemiological evidence to support an infective hypothesis implicating a subclinical infection. A bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis forms a biofilm and this appeared to be significantly associated with capsular contraction - possibly a five day course of antibiotics after surgery may also modify this. |
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10. Do breast implants affect mammography?
Special displacement techniques and additional views may be required but all breast tissue can be viewed. |
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