Newport Beach Breast Augmentation

Many women, especially with older generations of silicone implants may have had ’silent ruptures’. Some data suggest that with older generations of silicone implants that there were 50% silent ruptures after 10 years based on MRI studies. With current Mentor Memory Gel implants, there is a 1.1% rupture rate after 6 years for first time breast augmentation patients based on their 6-year ‘core’ data, and a 3.8% rupture rate for first time reconstructive patients. The best way to detect a rupture would be with an MRI as this can detect 99% of ruptures.

The FDA has recommended women with silicone implants consider having an MRI every 3 and then 2 years following augmentation. This may be a bit extreme. Check with your plastic surgeon to find out their recommendations. Mammograms can also detect approximately 85% of ruptures and ultrasound can detect approximately 90-95% of ruptures depending on the type of ultrasound used.

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon Q & A

Saline breast implants can fail or deflate at any time following implantation. However, when it happens, it usually becomes apparent following a few days. You can have a partial deflation for a short while; however, it eventually fully deflates if you wait long enough.

Breasts change over time, especially following augmentation. Changes occur with age, weight changes, pregnancy, etc. It is not uncommon to feel that one’s breasts are getting smaller or ‘looser’ as the skin further expands and if you lose weight. This can lead to the feeling of ‘rippling’. You should seek an appointment with your board certified plastic surgeon to evaluate your breasts. You may benefit from a silicone gel implant.

Orange County Cosmetic Surgeon Q & A

Ask Doctor Grover - When should I change my Breast Implants? How long do they last?

It is impossible to tell someone exactly how long their implants may last. It is possible that it could be for a lifetime. However, I tell my patients that they should not have breast implants placed unless they are open to having another surgery some time in their lifespan. Patients do need to understand that breast implants can ‘fail’, i.e., a saline implant can deflate and a silicone implant can ‘rupture’.

One will readily notice if their saline implant is deflating as their breast will become smaller withing a few hours to few days. Ruptured silicone implants may cause some sort of physical deformity or hardening of the breast; however, many times the rupture is considered ’silent’ as their is no visible evidence of a rupture. MRIs are the best way to detect a ruptured silicone implant, however, ultrasounds or mammograms may also detect ruptured silicone implants to a lesser degree.

Orange County Plastic Surgeon Q & A

Patients may sometimes incorrectly feel that their implants have ‘fallen out’ of their pocket. The implants do not have anywhere else to go. When patients describe this, they are usually affected by an overly large pocket which may allow the implant to move outwards towards the underarm. This can often be corrected with internal sutures or a lateral capsulorraphy.

Orange County Cosmetic Surgeon Q & A

Many factors are involved in deciding the best size for a given patient. First of all there is no one size that only fits a patient. I prefer to use a number of factors in deciding which size is best. First of all, I like to know if my patient is trying to achieve a conservative B cup or a large DD size. Body proportions, chest dimensions, breast dimensions, amount of breast tissue present, ‘looseness’ of the skin etc are all important factors. Have faith in your Board-Certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon Q & A

This is a confusing topic for many. Gummy bear is a marketing term that has developed along the way. It refers to a ‘form-stable’ cohesive gel breast implant that is available in some places outside of the United States (in Canada and Europe).

Currently, in the United States, the FDA has approved a ‘cohesive gel’ silicone implant; however, this implant is not as ‘cohesive’ as the ‘Gummy Bear, form-stable’ implant. This implant will likely be available in the U.S. in the upcoming future. At the moment, there are a few sites in the U.S. that are offering these implants as part of a research study.

Orange County Cosmetic Surgeon Q & A

Some swelling and tightness following breast augmentation is not uncommon. This will depend on how tight the skin envelope is prior to augmentation, whether the implant is on top of the muscle, completely under the muscle, or partially under the muscle and the size of the implants used and your chest wall dimensions.

It may several weeks before you feel more relaxed and may be two to three months before the implants feel completely ’settled’. Having said this, some patients have very soft breasts one week following surgery.

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon Q & A

Breast implants are placed either on top of the muscle, entirely below the muscle, or partially under the muscle in a dual plane approach. I generally prefer the dual plane, partial retropectoral approach because, in my hands, I am able to achieve a more natural, tear drop shape with this technique because it prevents the implant from being too high in position on the chest wall in a unnatural position. Best advice is to seek a board certified plastic surgeon at surgery.org to set up a consultation to determine what is the best option for you. Good luck!

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon Q & A

The feel of a breast implant varies from person to person. Many factors come into play. Some factors include the amount of breast tissue a person already has to cover the implants, whether or not the implants will be on top of the muscle, entirely under the muscle, or partially under the muscle; whether they are saline implants or silicone implants; the quality and thickness of the skin, etc…

In general, silicone implants will feel more “natural” than saline implants. Silicone implants can feel like a thick marshmallow, whereas saline implants can feel like a bag of water. Some patients will do very well with either type of implant if they have thick skin and a fair amount of breast tissue in either the subglandular or submuscular position. In general, woman who are quite thin, have little breast tissue with loose skin, and have nursed children will do better with a silicone implant, preferably a high profile silicone implant to achieve a more natural feel.

Implants can feel hard for several reasons. Some include a saline implant that is way too over-filled. Another reason can be a capsular contracture.

Orange County Cosmetic Surgeon Q & A

Newport Beach Breast Augmentation and Orange County Breast Implants