Breast Augmentation Considerations

What Are Important Factors For You to Consider When Deciding To Have Saline-Filled Implants?

Whether you are undergoing augmentation or reconstruction, be aware that breast implantation may not be a one time surgery. You are likely to need additional surgery and surgeon visits over the course of your life.

• Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices. You will likely under go implant removal with or without replacement over the course of your life.
• Many of the changes to your breast following implantation are irreversible (cannot be undone). If you later choose to have your implant(s) removed, you may experience unacceptable dimpling, puckering, wrinkling, or other cosmetic changes of the breast.
• Breast implants may affect your ability to produce milk for breast feeding. Also, breast implants will not prevent your breast from sagging after pregnancy.
• With breast implants, routine screening mammography will be more difficult, and you will need to have additional views, which means more time and radiation.
• For patients who have undergone breast implantation either as a cosmetic or a reconstructive procedure, health insurance premiums may increase, coverage may be dropped, and/or future coverage may be denied.
• Treatment of complications may not be covered as well. You should check with your insurance company regarding these coverage issues.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Surgeon About Breast Augmentation

The following list of questions may help you to remind you of topics to discuss with your surgeon. You may have additional questions as well.

1. What are the risks and complications associated with having breast implants?
2. How many additional operations on my implanted breast(s) can I expect over my lifetime?
3. How will my breasts look if I decide to have the implants removed without replacement?
4. What shape, size, surface texturing, incision site, and placement site is recommended for me?
5. How will my ability to breast feed be affected?
6. How can I expect my implanted breasts to look over time?
7. How can I expect my implanted breasts to look after pregnancy? After breast feeding?
8. What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my implanted breasts?
9. What alternate procedures or products are available if I choose not to have breast implants?
10. Do you have before and after photos I can look at for each procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

Other Factors To Consider In Breast Augmentation
Choosing a Surgeon

When choosing an experienced surgeon who is experienced with breast implantation, you should know the answers to the following questions:

1. How many breast augmentation implantation procedures does he/she perform per year?
2. How many years has he/she performed breast implantation procedures?
3. Is he/she board certified, and if so, with which board?
4. In which states is he/she licensed to practice surgery? Note that some states provide information on disciplinary action and malpractice claims/settlements to prospective patients either by request or on the world wide web.
5. What is the most common complication he/she encounters with breast implantation?
6. What is his/her reoperation rate with breast implantation and what is the most common type of reoperation he/she performs?

Familiarize yourself with the following options in breast implant surgery and be prepared to discuss with your surgeon the following issues:

Are You Eligible for Saline-Filled Breast Implants?

Implants are to be used for females for the following indications (procedures):

Breast Augmentation

This is done to increase the size and proportion of a woman's breasts. A woman must be at least 18 years old for breast augmentation.

Breast Reconstruction

This procedure is done to restore a woman's breast shape after a mastectomy or injury that resulted in either partial or total loss of the breast(s), or to correct a birth defect.

Who Is Not Eligible for Breast Implants?

Implants are not to be used for:

• Women with existing malignant or pre-malignant cancer of the breast without adequate treatment
• Women with an active infection anywhere in her body
• Augmentation in women who are currently pregnant or nursing

Special Considerations For Breast Augmentation

What Are the Alternatives to Breast Augmentation?

• Accept your breasts as they are
• Wear a padded bra or external prostheses

You are advised to wait a week after reviewing and considering this information before deciding whether to have augmentation surgery.