Are you thinking of getting breast implants? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentations were the most requested aesthetic surgical procedure in 2016. So, you see, you’re not alone – there are many other women out there who want the same thing.
There’re so many reasons why you would want to undergo a breast enhancement procedure – it could be because you’re not satisfied with the shape and size of your boobs, it could be for a reconstruction purpose, or you want a firmer, perkier breast. No matter the purpose for which you want the procedure, it is essential you read up and do your due diligence to prepare yourself for the significant change your body is about to undergo.
Below you will find tips and facts you should bring up with your plastic surgeon during consultations or visit NYC breast augmentation for consultation. Having adequate information and a clear idea of what to expect will help you manage the stress post-surgery.
Check your options
The first thing you want to do is read up on the various options available for a breast augmentation procedure. There are primarily two options to choose from; either you go for silicone or saline implants.
- Silicone implants are widely used today, and it’s because they offer a more natural look and feel soft to touch. The implant is made of silicone “pocket” that is filled with gel (silicone). You might notice a more prominent incision when you select a silicone implant; this is because they’re prefilled before the operation.
- Saline implants, on the other hand, are implants filled with saline solution – which is a similar liquid found in the body. After the procedure using this implant, you’d notice a smaller incision; this is because the implants are placed in your body empty and then filled with the saline solution. This particular implant is not widely used due to its firmness and unnatural appearance when compared to silicone implants.
Do you want to breastfeed in the future?
One question which gets frequently asked by women seeking a breast augmentation is whether the implant is going to affect their ability to breastfeed. The answer is NO – you would be able to breastfeed after the surgery – this is because of where the implants are placed. The implants are usually placed under the breast muscle, or under the skin, this is to keep the milk ducts unaffected.
However, you might not be able to feel any sensations on the nipple – this might last from anything between six months to eighteen months – this is likely to occur only when nipple incision was used for the implant procedure.
Be prepared for regular maintenance
Bear in mind that you will need to have regular check-ins with your doctor to monitor the implants for rupture or leaks. Understand that the implants are not lifetime devices – at some point in their life – you will have to replace them. In fact, according to the Federal Drug Agency (FDA), the expected lifespan of a breast implant is between twenty to thirty years. And this is if you’ve avoided putting the implants under serious stress.
So once notice changes in your breast shape, and or pain contact your doctor immediately.
The implants could interfere with effective mammography screening
That’s another thing you should be aware of – the implants could ‘hide’ lumps or other abnormalities in your breast. Both Saline and Silicone implants block X-rays from going through your breast tissue, which does pose a challenge in conducting effective check-ups.
So, it’s important to inform your physician about the implants before any screening and in most cases, they will recommend you do a deeper medical examination that involves four extra breast check-ups in addition to the four mandatory scans.