Breast augmentation enhances the size and shape of a woman’s breast. Due to its safety and effectiveness, it has enjoyed ever growing popularity and a high rate of patient satisfaction. Chicago Women who choose breast enhancement surgery do so to improve their self-image. Some feel dissatisfied because their breasts never developed to a size that meets their expectations. Others want to bring balance to a breast that is somewhat smaller than the other. Often, women want the procedure to restore their natural breast volume, which may have decreased as a result of pregnancy, weight loss or aging.
The best candidates are women who are looking for improvement in the way they look, who are physically healthy, realistic in their expectations, and fully understand their own motivations for wanting the procedure. The average recovery time for breast augmentation is minimal. Often times, patients undergo the surgery on Friday and are back at work by Monday. Many women find that their new figure gives them a greater sense of self-confidence whether they‘re on the beach or in the boardroom.
The search for the perfect implant has been going on for many decades. Silicone gel-filled breast implants were first introduced to the market in the 1960s. They did not, however, come under the regulation of the FDA until 1976. In January of 1992 the FDA asked for a voluntary moratorium on the sale of the silicone gel-filled breast implants due to public concern. Since 1992, numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the safety of breast implants. Those studies have revealed no scientific evidence to support a connection between breast implants and systemic health problems including connective tissue disease or breast cancer. Science has prevailed and silicone gel implants have been once again approved for general use by the FDA since November 2006 for the following indications— breast augmentation for women at least 22 years of age and for breast reconstruction in cases of cancer, trauma or deformity. Since 1989 silicone breast implants have been made with a cohesive gel formulation that acts as a unit rather than a liquid, and holds together uniformly in the unlikely event of a rupture. The unique qualities of today’s silicone gel-filled implants make it the filler of choice throughout many parts of the world. Women in the U.S. are no longer limited to using saline implants, and with the help of their surgeon, they can now make an informed choice.
Talk with your surgeon. Learn the risks and benefits for each type of implant before making a decision about using a saline-filled or silicone gel-filled breast implant. Understand that many of the “pros and cons” discussed with your surgeon will vary in importance from person to person. Silicone gel-filled implants are favored for a natural look and feel, but the scar will be of a greater length, proportionate with placing implants that are pre-filled. Saline-filled implants are filled to size after placement into the breast resulting in a smaller incision but are of greater risk for visible rippling and palpability. For many, the significant cost difference between the two types of implants can also be a deciding factor. Fortunately, today there are more breast implant options to help you get the result you deserve.