Breast augmentation, commonly called a boob job, is a cosmetic procedure performed to increase the size, change the shape, or modify the texture of breasts. It involves the insertion of breast implants under the chest muscle or tissue.
In the US, breast implants were introduced in the 1960s, with the Food and Drug Administration classifying them as medical devices. Nearly 10 million women worldwide have breast implants. Though most women don’t experience issues, getting implants has its associated risks. According to Stephanie Caccomo, a representative from the FDA, about 1% of patients have complications.
Everyone who’s thinking about undergoing this procedure deserves to see the proper resources to make a well-informed decision. So if you’re considering breast augmentation in Fort Lauderdale, our guide below can help you find out more about it.
Types of Breast Implants
There are two types of breast implants allowed in the United States: silicone and saline implants. Both vary in terms of shape, size, shell thickness, and shell texture.
Saline implants are placed while they’re empty. Once inserted, they’re filled up with sterile saltwater. They’re available to women ages 18 and up for breast augmentation or reconstruction.
Silicone implants, on the other hand, come prefilled with silicone gel. They have a thick and sticky consistency, which closely mimics the look and feel of natural breast tissue. They’re available to women ages 22 and up.
Women who had breast augmentation in the “60s claim that their implants had been leaking silicone into their bodies. Many also experienced symptoms that are similar to breast implant illness today.
No one can definitively say that one type of implant is safer than the other. There aren’t any significant differences between the two when it comes to safety. However, each type does come with its unique pros and cons.
Take ruptured implants, for instance. It’s a complication that often arises because of a surgical error or intense pressure from a mammogram. Ruptures are easier to spot if you have saline implants. If fluid leaks, the breast will have a noticeably different shape in the next few days. More importantly, saltwater doesn’t harm the body if it ever leaks.
Ruptures in silicone-filled implants, on the other hand, are tricky to spot. They can only be detected through an MRI. This is why the FDA recommends women with silicone gel implants to get an MRI every three years or so.
Is Breast Augmentation Safe?
As with any surgery, breast augmentation comes with risks. Whether you have saline or silicone implants, these are some of its potential complications:
- Bleeding
- Anesthesia risks
- Infection
- Scarring
- Breast pain
- Implant rupture or leakage
To correct the issues, you might have to undergo revision surgery. You either have to replace or remove the implants entirely.
As women go through various changes in their bodies, whether through weight loss, pregnancy, or menopause, the appearance of the augmented breasts may change over time as well. These common and often inevitable changes should be considered before the surgery.
Although breast implants are categorized as medical devices, they aren’t guaranteed to last a lifetime. They’re viewed as temporary devices that need to be removed or replaced eventually. The FDA states that the longer the implants are in place, the higher the risk of complications. However, this will vary from person to person.
Some women can keep their implants for two to three decades without experiencing adverse effects, but this isn’t true for everyone.
Patients must be assessed thoroughly by highly skilled breast augmentation surgeons before and after the procedure. Your body size, breasts, and shape must be examined carefully to deliver the best results with zero complications.
Finding the right surgeon, who you’re comfortable with, is imperative to this process. At Palmer Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Palmer will help you every step of the way – from understanding the risks to selecting the best implants. He’s one of the finest and most experienced breast augmentation surgeons practicing in Fort Lauderdale.
Breast Augmentation in Fort Lauderdale
Dr. Palmer of Palmer Cosmetic Surgery is a highly regarded breast augmentation surgeon in Fort Lauderdale. He has performed breast enhancement surgeries on thousands of patients over the years, who’ve sought to modify small, uneven, or flat breasts.
The procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. Patients stay at the fully accredited cosmetic surgery suite in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood.
The Palmer Cosmetic Surgery staff will be happy to guide and answer your questions about the procedure, financial policies, and post-op care. Dr. Palmer and his team will be available 24 hours a day for emergencies. After your consultation, the Patient Care Coordinator will get in touch with you to give you an estimate of the costs for the procedure. You’ll also be given the option to schedule your surgery if you wish to proceed.