Breast Augmentation Plastic Surgery
Breast augmentation or simply known as breast implants are used to increase the breast size in order to achieve post mastectomy reconstruction in case of breast cancer treatments or purely for cosmetic appeal. Breast implants are classified according to the type of implant, the treatment procedure or even the resulting complications.
Types of breast implants
There are two major types of breast implants, they are saline and silicone implants. The former is made of silicone shells filled with sterile salt water (saline) and the latter is made of silicone shells filled with silicone (plastic gel). Both saline and silicone implants are available in different profiles to suit the projection goals of each patient. Silicone implants are available in the traditional round implant shape aswell as the shaped ‘gummy bear’ implants that more closely mimic the natural shape of a breast.
Most patients have accepted that silicone based implants feel more natural. Care must be taken to ensure that they are prevented from leaking as it can pose some serious risks. Silicone implants were banned in the year 1992 due to safety concerns but were re-introduced in 2006 after favorable scientific research. A rupture in a silicone implant doesn’t lead to deflation as the gel will remain trapped inside the capsule tissues. There, silicone rupture is also referred to as silent rupture.
Ruptured silicone implants are bound to cause deflation which results in irregular shapes and contours of the breast. The solution leakage will be absorbed naturally into the body but doesn’t lead to any health complications. The empty shell must be removed or replaced by a surgery.
There common risks posed by both type of implants such as breast pain, occasional uneasiness, rupture and capsular contracture.
Implant safety
Both saline and silicone implants have been tested and certified to be safe, but they may not last long. Ruptures in saline implants can be spotted easily when changes in the breast shape are recurring. Whereas, in silicone implants ruptures are hard to spot due to the cohesive gel not separating. Even though they do not deflate as saline implants, it is suggested to surgically remove or replace ruptured silicone implant.
Silicone implants come pre-filled to a standard size before they are inserted. Saline implants are filled after they are inserted through a smaller incision. That also allows the saline implants to be slightly adjusted even after the surgery. In order to ensure maximum safety regarding the use of implants certain eligibilities have been imposed. In case of reconstruction, either type of implants is permissible for patients of any age. In augmentation, saline implants are permissible for those above 18 and silicone implants for those above 22.
Cost
The cost of breast implant can vary according to the type of implant, the hospital or the doctor’s reputation. Typical range of breast augmentation cost at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta is $3000 to $6,000. As in case of any cosmetic surgery, breast augmentation isn’t covered by insurance.
Dr. Paul McCluskey is known for his extraordinary abilities. Our expertise, infrastructure and sophistication attract patients from all over the south-east United States, and as far as New York, Seattle, and even France.
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