The most common breast implant complication is re-operation, requiring another breast surgery for a variety of reasons. Learn about breast augmentation complications in this free cosmetic surgery video.

Expert: Dr. David J. Levens
Contact: www.drlevens.com
Bio: Dr. David J. Levens has been practicing plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in Coral Springs since 1989.
Filmmaker: Paul Muller

Duration : 0:1:28

More on Breast Implants & Augmentation Tutorial : Complications from Breast Augmentation

After more than ten years of controversy and scientific study, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved silicone gel breast implants for general usage. They are now available to all women ages 22 and higher for both reconstructive and cosmetic breast surgery.

The availability of silicone implants will greatly expand the options for women seeking cosmetic breast augmentation. In many situations, they have real advantages over saline breast implants. They tend to look and feel more natural than saline implants. They are less prone to rippling or crinkling which can sometimes be felt and occasionally can become visible under the skin. They are lighter than silicone implants. However, they are thought by some to have a higher rate of capsular contracture, which is scarring around the implant and can make the breasts hard.

In countries where both silicone and saline implants have been available the vast majority of patients and surgeons select silicone implants. This is testimony to their advantages. In the US, we are likely to see a large number of patients select silicone breast implants.

But there will still be a place for saline implants. Some people might simply prefer not to have silicone placed in their body. Silicone implants are more expensive than saline implants. In some cases, the implant is used as a sort of platform to elevate the normal breast tissue rather than to give the breast the entirety of its shape. In this situation, saline implants function just about as effectively as silicone implants.

Silicone implants have not been shown to cause autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and lupus, as had been feared. But patients should realize that any breast augmentation procedure is essentially temporary. Body shape and anatomy can change, there might be problems with healing or the body's reaction to the implant. At some point, it is likely that additional procedures may be necessary. At Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery, we are already doing quite a few breast augmentations with silicone implants. I expect we will see many more people interested in the procedure in the next few months.

Lloyd Krieger
http://www.articlesbase.com/women's-issues-articles/silicone-breast-implants-add-choices-for-women-121960.html

Numerous studies have been conducted to see if the anecdotal claims of women about their silicone implants were verifiable by scientific evidence. These studies have found localized risks associated with all breast implants, but no conclusive evidence to support the claims against implant manufacturers as noted above. Many studies conducted by the Institute of Medicine and other experts have found no connection between implants and the diseases claimed by so many women.

The FDA has conducted a study where they conclude that extra capsular silicone (from a ruptured implant) can be associated with fibromyalgia. The study relied on a survey of 344 women who filled out surveys asking about their symptoms. Women who reported they had the symptoms were then checked to see if their implants had ruptured. Based on the women reporting symptoms and having ruptured implants, the study assumed a connection.

Unfortunately, that is how the plaintiffs prevailed in numerous lawsuits, with no evidence of a cause and effect, just a demonstration of coincidence. More recent studies have also found that women with implants are more likely to commit suicide and more likely to have certain brain cancers. These women might also be more likely to skydive, ride mechanical bulls and bark at the moon but none of the studies showed a cause and effect, just coincidence. Studies have found no link between implants and breast cancer, other than the fact that implants can interfere with detection because of interference with mammography.

Prior to the FDA approval on November 17, 2006, silicone gel breast implants were not available for general use and?women could only obtain silicone breast implants as part of an FDA-sanctioned study such as the Silicone Adjunct Study which is now closed.

As of November 17, 2006, women aged 22 and over qualify for the silicone gel breast implants manufactured by Mentor Corp. and Inamed. Not all silicone gel breast implants made by these manufacturers have been approved. According to Mentor's website, eligibility is as follows: Mentor MemoryGel Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants are indicated for females for the following uses:

Breast augmentation for women at least 22 years old. Breast augmentation includes primary breast augmentation to increase the breast size, as well as revision surgery to correct or improve the result of a primary breast augmentation surgery.

Breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction includes primary reconstruction to replace breast tissue that has been removed due to cancer or trauma or that has failed to develop properly due to a severe breast abnormality. Breast reconstruction also includes revision surgery to correct or improve the result of a primary breast reconstruction surgery.

Mentor's silicone gel-filled breast implants, referred to as MemoryGel products, come in a variety of profiles and sizes. Mentor's Lumera and Becker gel implants were not approved at this time. Get specific details on the available implant sizes, shapes, etc. in our manufacturer's section

The current name "gummy bear" is given by many patients and doctors to implants that are "form-stable". This means that they are so cohesive, that they are more a solid than a liquid. These form-stable implants have the purpose of making a longer lasting implant that maintains a more attractive and predictable shape. As such, the gel is less liquid-like and more solid-like than even today's other cohesive silicone gel implants.

Silicon is the second most abundant element in the earth's crust, comprising around 28% of it. It is not found in its elemental form but occurs mainly as oxides and silicates. In contrast to carbon, silicon-silicon bonds are uncommon. Natural silicon-carbon bonds are extremely rare but they can be created synthetically.

Silica is a three dimensional network of silicon dioxide, most commonly encountered as sand. Silica exists in crystalline and amorphous forms. Silica is chemically resistant at ordinary temperatures but can undergo a variety of transformations at high temperatures (greater than 500CC) and pressures. The industrial production of amorphous silica requires temperatures of 500CC and much higher temperatures are required to produce crystalline silica.

The prolonged inhalation of crystalline silica dust is associated with silicosis. Amorphous silica is much less pathogenic than crystalline forms.

Conversion of amorphous to crystalline silica cannot occur at body temperature. High purity amorphous silica is used as a reinforcing agent to increase the tear resistance of silicone rubbers used in medical devices and implants.

Silicones are synthetic polymers and are not therefore found naturally. They have a linear, repeating silicon-oxygen backbone akin to silica. However, organic groups attached directly to the silicon atoms by carbon-silicon bonds prevent formation of the three-dimensional network found in silica.

These types of compound are also known as polyorganosiloxanes. Certain organic groups can be used to link two or more of these silicon-oxygen backbones and the nature and extent of this crosslinking enables a wide variety of products to be manufactured. The most important materials used in medical implants are fluids, gels and rubbers (elastomers) whose physical and chemical properties include, amongst others, a high degree of chemical inertness, thermal stability and resistance to oxidation.

Silicone fluids (oils) are usually linear chains of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which have a wide range of chain lengths and molecular masses. Cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes also occur and are important intermediates in the manufacture of the linear chain fluids. They are virtually insoluble in water.

Silicone gels have lightly cross-linked polysiloxane networks, swollen with PDMS fluid to produce a cohesive mass. The PDMS fluid is not chemically bound to the crosslinked network but is retained only by physical means, as water is in a sponge, and there is a tendency for the fluid to "bleed". The degree of cross-linking and amount of fluid affects the physical properties of the gel and the rate at which fluid "bleeds" from it. Once suitably cross-linked, silicone gels retain their form without external containment.

Silicone elastomers are extensively cross-linked and contain little free PDMS fluid. The barrier coating of breast implant shells is a special silicone elastomer which is selected specifically to minimise migration of PDMS from the implants. The tensile strength and tear resistance of silicone elastomers may be increased by addition of amorphous silica which is usually pre-treated with organosilicon compounds to enable it to be tightly incorporated into the polymer network.

Dave Stringham
http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/the-safety-of-silicone-gel-breast-implants-254081.html

Breast implant removal. Safety concerns about breast implants on Sally Jessy Raphael. Guest New York plastic surgeon, Robert Tornambe M.D. http://www.madisonps.com or http://www.lookingyourbest.com

Duration : 0:10:1

More on Breast Implant Removal - Breast Implant Safety

After going through the lengthy process of deciding to have a breast augmentation surgery and then having the surgery itself, the last thing you want to have to deal with is the potential for an additional surgery resulting from scarring.

Capsule contracture is the development of a foreign body scar. Often this type of scar will form when any foreign body is inserted into the body, and the body will try to isolate the foreign body as best it can with the scarring. This can, in breast implants, result in hard breasts and is best avoided.

The best way to avoid such a situation includes the following steps.

1 - First, ask your surgeon about his or her approaches during surgery to reduce possible infections. Are there particular approaches that he or she uses with regard to cutting through tissues? Cutting through certain breast tissue can solicit bacterial contamination, and so it is important to query your doctor as to their particular method of surgical procedure.

2 - The second thing to do is to abstain from smoking at least a few weeks prior to surgery. The reason for this is to eliminate any possibility that the body will not be able to deliver oxygen and blood to the parts of the body that are trying to heal. Wounds take longer to heal when they cannot get enough oxygen or blood.

2 - If you are having the trans-axillary surgery (going through the armpit), do not shave your armpits for ten days prior to surgery. This prevents any ingrown hairs getting into the incision area or any other surgical area.

3 - This step is not really in your control; immediately before surgery your body will be prepared with a strong anti-bacterial preparatory to avoid any bacterial contamination.

4 - Finally, and most importantly, following surgery, a vigorous repeated massage of the implants will keep the pocket holding the implant wide open, and prevent the scarring. Additionally, it will keep them from getting hard, and will also keep them looking very natural.

It takes only a few minutes per day to prevent what would be a repeat procedure, and undoubted discomfort and pain.

The technique of the massage is a method unique to breast implant surgery, and following surgery must be done every two to three hours for a few days, then two to three times per day.

At three weeks post-operation through the rest of the patient's life, the massage should be performed once per day.

The breast should be squeezed from the bottom, enough to move completely the implant up as high as it can go, completely displacing the implant from the location where it was located, into the pocket above the breast. This method helps to prevent any scarring from forming.

Following these simple yet important steps will ensure that your breast augmentation will not only be successful from an aesthetic standpoint but will also make sure that you avoid the complication of scarring around the breast implant.

Abigail Aaronson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/breast-implant-massage-after-surgery-289655.html

Breast implant sizers are designed for women who are considering breast augmentation. The primary goal of a breast sizing system is to help you make your final breast implant size choice.

One recent study shows that over one-third of all breast augmentation revision procedures is simply to change the size of the implant alone. Since a revision procedure is a second or third surgery complete with all the costs and risks of the first procedure, doctors welcome the help of these systems.

To avoid subsequent surgeries it is important that you experiment with various breast sizes. Here is my list of the top 7 reasons to try breast implant sizers before choosing your final size choice:

1) You are spending a lot of money on breast augmentation, maybe four to five thousand dollars. The extra hundred dollars to buy a breast implant sizing system is well worth it to avoid a second or third surgery.

2) The risks of breast augmentation are comparatively minor versus some operations. Still, do your best to avoid having another surgery by using breast sizers.

3) Experience is better than guesswork. By experiencing various breast sizes before you undergo surgery, you avoid leaving your decision to pure guessing.

4) Before and after photos do not tell the whole story. A certain implant size may look good on one woman's body, but have a completely different effect on yours. Using a sizer can help you see and feel what different breast sizes are like.

5) Various breast sizes in different clothing and activities can have an impact on your decision. The twenty minutes at a doctor's office is important, but you should really live with different sizes before you make your final decision.

6) Your body changes throughout the month and over time. Wearing breast implant sizers over a period of time can help you decide on an appropriate size.

7) Most women who undergo subsequent surgeries come back to get a larger size. Most report that they were concerned about going "too big" the first time, but found they liked their new breasts so much they wanted to come back and make them bigger. If they had used a breast implant sizer system they may have avoided the second surgery.

If you are considering breast augmentation, try using breast implant sizers to see how you look and feel with different sizes. Wear various breast implant sizes over a period of time to experience your thoughts, emotions, and feelings about each size.

Try wearing each sizer set in your favorite clothing. Go beyond just standing in front of a mirror with different sizes. Wear them out shopping, out for a night on the town, or even at work. See how you feel and get feedback from your family and friends.

Through experience, over a couple of weeks, you will be in a better position to make a good choice the first time.

Ned James
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/breast-implant-sizers-7-reasons-to-try-before-you-buy-714190.html

This video shows a prospective breast augmentation patient being evaluated by a nationally renowned plastic surgeon, including selection of size. It demonstrates all of the physical features that should be evaluated fully prior to proceeding with breast augmentation surgery. Please note that the content of this video is not appropriate for minors. For more information, visit AugInfo.com or InfoPlasticSurgery.com.

Duration : 0:5:32

More on Plastic Surgeon Shows Breast Implant Size Selection and Pre-operative Evaluation

I was a natural C before surgery, will my natural breast be the same size. and will I need a breast lift ?

Implants stretch your skin, a lot actually. So when you remove the implants you are going to be deflated looking and probably saggy (not trying to be rude, I just couldn't think of other words!) So yes, you will probably need a lift.

http://www.b4bra.com http://www.bodysculptor.com Chicago based Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Otto Placik describes the B4bra, a patented breast implant sizer kit used to help women select the proper implant size to achieve desired augmentation results

Duration : 0:2:15

More on The B4Bra, Before Bra Breast Implant Breast Sizer