“Breast implants are medical devices/prostheses used to increase the size of breasts, a way to feel aesthetically better, simultaneously used to reconstruct breasts after surgery or trauma, weighing both aesthetic and reconstructive importance”
Breast implants for augmentation purposes are used for women who want enhancement in their breasts’ shape, size, and proportion, and also address concerns of breast asymmetry, and restore their previous breast size. In addition, breast augmentation is a prime procedure for transwomen seeking gender affirmation surgery to complement a feminine figure, as feminization of the chest is a component in this process. As a part of reconstructive surgery, breast implants can be used for those patients who want to rebuild their breasts post-cancer treatment/ breast removal surgery/ mastectomy, called breast reconstruction surgery.
Dr. Karishma Kagodu, a celebrity plastic surgeon and MD of KAesthetics, noted that breast implant surgery has significant importance in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, not merely to increase the size of the breasts, but a boon for those women who are seeking breast reconstruction after cancer surgery or trauma/ injury. Most notable, breast enlargement treatment is gaining traction in India, and each year, hundreds of breast augmentation is performed here in Bangalore, the “Silicon Valley of India.”
If you are considering breast implant surgery, some important things are worth notable to understand and help you plan the procedure in the right way with no hassle or discomfort.
Dr. Karishma Kagodu highlights some noteworthy points in detail to help you understand what should be the best according to your desired goals and anatomy:
Choosing between Silicone Vs. Saline implants
Saline and silicone implants are both FDA-approved and have an outer silicone shell. But what is the main difference that sets them apart? Considering the augmentation surgery, it truly requires a thorough analysis. However, it is primary to know that implants differ in what they are filled with and how they feel.
Saline breast implants: Saline-filled breast implants contain a silicone water shell that is filled with sterile salt water (saline). They are available in pre-filled or may be filled during the breast implant operation. Saline implants come in different sizes and have either smooth or textured shells. The FDA-approved saline breast implants are for women age 18 or older to enhance the size. Moreover, saline implants can also be employed for breast reconstruction in women of any age. Saline implants can also be used for revision surgery, which is done to correct or improve the results of the previous/ original breast surgery.
Silicone breast implants have a silicone outer shell that is filled with silicone gel. The FDA-approved prostheses come in different sizes and have either smooth or textured shells. Silicone implants are approved for breast augmentation in women age 22 or older, and used in breast reconstruction, as well as revision breast surgery in women of any age.
What are the risks of breast implants?
Risks or discomforts can be minimized effectively with the right post-op recommendations/ care. Still, it is inevitable to choose only the expert breast augmentation surgeon with ample experience in the specific field, with a reputable number of successful surgeries done before. Since the side effects/ discomforts are an unavoidable part of the post-op healing journey, they cannot be taken too seriously, as the post-care advice and follow-ups are enough to deal with the potential complications.
Most notable, risks are minimal with an expert plastic surgeon. Saline and silicone breast implants have similar risks, including:
- Scar tissue formation that can change the shape of implants, called capsular contracture, requires immediate implant removal and revision surgery to restore the aesthetic appearance and overall well-being.
- Post-op breast pain can be managed with pain medications, cold compresses, gentle movement, and rest.
- Mild infections can be minimized with prescription antibiotics, and severe infections can be controlled with careful surgical technique and close monitoring, reducing the potential complications.
- Changes in nipple and breastfeeding are often temporary. Many women who get breast implants can successfully breastfeed post-surgery, but some have reported that the amount of milk they produced before surgery is affected post-surgery.
- Leaking or rupture, requiring post-op assessment, breast implant removal, and revision surgery, as well.
What happens if an implant ruptures/ Breast augmentation risks?
Breast implant rupture causes changes in the shape, size, and appearance of the breasts, including discomfort such as breast pain, thickening, or changes in the shape of the breasts. However, surgical removal of implants is inevitable, and the revision breast augmentation can usually be done at the same time to restore aesthetic appearance and a woman’s self-confidence. But the factor that decides the approach might depend on whether the implant is silicone or saline.
One must hold this fact that saline implant rupture can be easily noticeable, as breasts appear flatter post rupture, changing the size and shape of the breasts. Moreover, the good point is that leaking saline solution is not a health risk, but removing silicone shells requires surgery, and a new implant can likely be inserted at the same time. On the other hand, silicone implant ruptures might not be identified with the naked eye. The silicone gel tends to be trapped in the scar tissue that forms around the implants after rupture. This is called a silent rupture. Again, leaking silicone gel does not cause health risks. Still, removal is necessary because silicone gel can migrate to other parts of the body, making removal more challenging, as it may damage other tissues in the body.
Is the safety of breast implants monitored?
Both silicone and saline implants are FDA-approved prostheses for breast augmentation and are completely safe when the boob job is done with the expert hand of a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Based on your body type, breasts, achievable goals, and other factors, Dr. Karishma Kagodu might recommend one type of implant over another for the best aesthetic results possible.
Call us at +91 8951269006 or +91 7624809006, or use WhatsApp at +91 9108969006 to schedule a consultation today.
