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Frequently Asked Questions

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I have had surgery twice because of tumors and cysts in my breast which were not cancerous. How would breast implants affect me?

It is widely accepted that breast implants do not affect the chances of obtaining breast cancer. The real issue here is whether the detection of early breast cancer is inhibited or impaired. If the implants are placed below the muscle than the mammagram and physical exam are both more effective. I would discuss all the options with your board-certified plastic surgeon and a local breast surgeon he/she refers you to.

How terrible is the pain experienced after the surgery is completed, and are there any medications required?

Everyone reacts differently to the pain. Most patients do very well with pain medication taken by mouth. Also they all go home the same day because they are comfortable. By no means is the surgery pain free.

It seems that most procedures are done in private medical buildings, I don’t know if I am comfortable with this. Is it difficult to find a doctor who will perform the surgery in a hospital?

I perform the surgery in area hospitals and surgical centers, whichever you prefer. I have staff privilages at several hospitals. Check with your surgeon to see where he/she can perform the procedure.

I have ruptured breast implants, confirmed by MRI, and I want to remove and replace them. Does submuscular placement weaken the major pectoralis muscle? I’m very athletic for a woman of 61. I bike and swim every day. I hate surgery, especially now that I'm older, but I know it’s necessary. I want the replacements to be saline because I had capsular contracture with the silicone. In terms of surgery, I’m very concerned about general anesthesia because I have a problem with low blood pressure.

You certainly sound like you are in good shape and a good candidate for the surgery. Low blood pressure does not preclude general anesthesia. You would be closely monitored during the surgery. The operation takes about two hours. I frequently see patients with your complaints. The answer is very straightforward. The silicone implants are removed along with the capsule. I then agree, that saline implants placed beneath the muscle are appropriate. They will stay natural and softer longer. As far as weakening the pectoralis muscles, yes, there will be slightly less strength, although I have asked my patients — including professional weight lifters and body builders — and they cannot tell the difference. I think you would be able to do the activities you like.

I am 18 years old and I am considering breast augmentation. Are there any added risks with me being so young? Will it increase my chance of getting breast cancer? Also, will I have to replace the implants every ten years?

There is no added risk because you are 18. It is even to your advantage to be young and healthy. The implants are FDA-approved and are built to last many, many years. There is no planned obselescence.

I am getting married soon; should I get my implants now or is the actual process so involved that I should wait until after the wedding? Also, I am a 32A, how do I find the size that best fits me? I don’t want to be enormous, I just want to look normal!

The process is quite simple. The recovery process will take one to two weeks and you will be fine for your wedding. As for sizing, your doctor will have you try on implant sizers before the surgery, to determine what size you want to be.

I am considering getting implants; when it is time to take them out will my breasts look how they originally looked before the implant was placed? What is the life span of the implant?

The FDA quotes a 20 percent failure risk with implants, although the complication rate actually varies greatly from surgeon to surgeon. The breast tissue will look relatively similar to the way it was prior to placement of the implants. However, as you would expect, not exactly the same.