Plastic surgeons typically agree that breast implants do not have an expiry date like some perishable product. The materials used to perform breast surgery procedures do not “go off” as such, though they might not last a client’s full lifetime. Television news reporters have made much of implants that went wrong, but according to The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, more than 300,000 women had this procedure done in 2008. Most women appear to be happy with their implants.
What Are Implants Made Of?
Implants are currently made out of saline or silicone. Saline came onto the market after some frightening stories about the consequences of silicone implants. Today’s plastic surgeons and their clients do not have problems with silicone and give their clients the choice of either.
Saline is more expensive than silicone, but reportedly feels more like real breast tissue. Surgeons using silicone find that there are more possible insertion sites to choose from.
Why Do Implants Wear Out?
An implant might never wear out if the wearer leads a healthy lifestyle and does not engage in risky sports that will expose her breasts to potential damage. Discussing lifestyle choices with a doctor is always best before proceeding with breast surgery procedures anyway. If your implants are going to wear out, you should have at least five years without problems.
Typically, when implants tear, this occurs sometime after five years, though often after ten. One or both breasts begin to look deformed. Another cause of alterations to the shape of implants is a change in the shape of the rest of your body. If you gain weight or become pregnant, this could cause the implants to look out of proportion. After losing weight or during the post-pregnancy period, this same transformation might occur.
If your implants feel or look misaligned or out of shape, consult your plastic surgeon. The materials come with a lifetime guarantee, so you should be able to have any malfunctions fixed without paying the same cost which you paid for the original procedure.
What Are The Risks?
The major risks of having breast implants have nothing to do with the products themselves. Administering a general anesthetic leads to a certain amount of risk no matter what the procedure in question is going to be. An incision can become infected, causing illness and even death. These statements could be said of any type of surgery.
Emotional risks must be considered as well. Although a breast augmentation will not necessarily cause problems physically, a client might regret her decision for some reason. This is why she is advised to discuss the procedure fully with her surgeon and other objective individuals before undergoing breast augmentation. Why she has this done is just as important as the procedure itself.
What Are The Advantages?
The primary advantage of having breast implants is that self-esteem improves, especially in women who have undergone breast cancer surgery from a professional like this Philadelphia breast surgeon. For these women, having a new breast is like getting back a piece of their femininity which cancer took away.