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When can I resume normal activities?
Approximately four to six weeks following surgery.
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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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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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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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How long does it take for the swelling to go down?
This will vary – improvements will be noticed 10-14 days after surgery, with all swelling resolved by 6 weeks.
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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. With larger implants the possibility of nerves being stretched or damaged is more likely, as a much larger pocket is needed. Sensation may improve with time.
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Will my breasts be perfectly symmetrical?
Augmentation does not correct the asymmetry of the breasts, the implants 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 shapes.
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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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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 of sub muscular placement, using textured implants, minimising post operative swelling and bleeding will all assist in modifying the body’s response.
There is growing evidence to support the possibility of a link between capsular contractions and a subclinical infection. In those affected by this condition there have been significantly higher levels of the bacteria Staphylococcus Epidermidis - a 5 day course of antibiotics following surgery may also assist.
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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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What do I need to consider before I undergo a breast augmentation?
Implants:
Saline:
• Feel firmer
• Visible rippling seen if sub-glandular or laterally if sub-pectoral • Deflation 2% Saline is absorbed
• Capsular contraction slightly less
• Maintains body temperature.Silicone:
• Feel more natural
• No rippling
• Rupture, usually intra-capsular 0.1%-0. 5%
• Slightly more capsular contraction
• After swimming in cold water, maintains cold feel until warmed by circulation.Texture:
Smooth:
• Visible rippling may be reduced
• Softer feel
• Less palpable in women with thinner breast tissue
• Greater risk of capsular contraction
• Moves more freely in the breast pocket.Rough:
• Thicker shell
• May be palpable if little breast tissue present
• Allows some tissue adherence into the surface, reducing the risk of capsular contraction
• Moves less freely.SHAPE:
Round:
• Totally round
• Makes upper part of breast fuller
• Various degrees of projection available, i.e. low (3.9cm), medium and high profiles (5cm) for the same size implant.
• More universal
• A wider, flatter round implant will look like a tear-drop once in a patient
• If rotation occurs, no change in shape will be evident.Anatomical Shape
• Thicker shell
• Shaped more like a tear-drop, resembling the natural shape of the breast
• Less fullness
• Combination of height, width and projection available. Both height and projection can be low, moderate or full. Width changes with implant size.
• Indicated when there is little to no breast tissue and if you do not like the round look
• Risk of rotation. Some articles quote 3-4% others, 15-20%. This gives a very unnatural appearance and will need to be removed and replaced with round implants.Size:
For a natural look breasts need to be in proportion with the overall shape of the body. Not only bra size (i.e. from a 3A to a full 3B or C) needs to be considered, but also the width of the breasts as this will determine the cleavage and the outer curve of the breasts.
Implant size is limited by the elasticity of the skin and the amount of breast tissue present.
Sizing is done prior to surgery using sample implants of varying sizes wearing a crop top over your own breasts. This is not ideal, but does give an indication as to what look is desired. During surgery a sizer can be used to determine what size implant closely matches this look.
Taking all the above considerations into account the size chosen plus one below and one above, will be available in theatre. -
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What is Silicone?
Silicones are a family of chemical compounds. They are made from silicon, a naturally occurring element found in sand, quartz and rock. After oxygen, silicon is the most common element in the earths crust, and becomes silicone when it is combined with oxygen, carbon and hydrogen. Short chains are liquid, progressing to gel, foam and finally a hard resin or rubbery material, called elastomers. A silicone implant has an elastomer outer layer which can be smooth or rough (textured) and an inner gel with different consistencies. Some implants also have a protective barrier between two elastomer layers to reduce any possible gel diffusion.
Another form of silicone is dimethicone. This is found in hairsprays, suntan lotions and moisturising creams. The liquid form is for coating surgical needles and suture thread and in the interior surfaces of syringes and bottles used for storage of blood. Protective silicone coatings are used in pacemakers and heart valves. Silicones are also used in artificial joints, catheters, drainage systems, facial implants and tissue expanders.
Silicone products have been found to be biocompatible (accepted by the human body without adverse reaction), reliable, flexible and easy to sterilize. This makes them ideal for use as implants.
FAQ's
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Will I keep my own ‘belly-button’ or do you make a new one? |
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Your own ‘belly-button’ is ‘cored out’ and remains attached to the abdominal wall and brought out through a new hole in the skin at a higher level. |
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