Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about plastic surgury issues. If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you.
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The issue of breast implant safety has been a hot topic throughout the last few decades. As a result, more stringent standards have emerged in order to protect patients. Current breast implant procedures at our Montreal Plastic Surgery Clinic primarily use cohesive gel (silicone) implants. There is also the option to use silicone shell implants filled with a saline solution.
Rarely, an implant will rupture or leak. With saline implants, the saline is safely absorbed into the body. With the new cohesive gel (silicone) implants, they are of a "gummy bear" consistency and cannot leak. When using saline implants, if rupture or leaking is detected early, the implant can be easily replaced.
Other possible complications from breast implant surgery may include blood clotting or pooling, overly sensitive breasts or loss of sensation in the breasts, and capsular contracture (a hardening of the tissues surrounding the implant). Dr.Benchetrit and our team is dedicated to making your operation a smooth one.
Special studies have been done and have determined that much higher levels of silicone have been found in cows’ milk and commercially available infant formula than are found in the breast milk of women with implants. The Institute of Medicine concluded that: “There is no evidence that silicone implants are responsible for any major diseases of the whole body. Women are exposed to silicone constantly in their daily lives.” For more information regarding the safety of silicone please refer to the Institute of Medicine Report (IOM) at: www.nap.edu.
Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices. You will likely undergo implant removal with or without replacement over the course of your life. When deciding to undergo augmentation, be aware that breast implantation is likely to not be a one-time surgery. You are likely to need additional surgery and doctor visits over the course of your life.
The average life expectancy of an implant varies from woman to woman. Some women need replacement surgery in only a few years while others may go 10-20 years.
It is possible that breast augmentation will change nipple sensation. Sensation in the breast and nipple can permanently or temporarily decrease or actually increase.
It is best to listen to the advice of your doctor. On average, resuming full activities is four to six weeks. It is best that sweating into the incision is avoided while it heals, activities that induce sweat should be avoided, such as sun tanning or rigorous physical activity.
Visiting a sun tanning salon or sunbathing will not hurt the breast implant, but the implant may become warm while tanning and cool down more slowing.
Sun tanning may adversely affect the scar, so you should avoid getting sun or tanning rays on the incisions for at least one year after surgery as tanning rays may turn the incisions dark permanently.
For about 3 months, scar tissue will form around the breast implant. As a result, pressure from an under wire bra may form a permanent indentation in the scar. Most physicians recommend women wait for at least 3 months, and should only wear under wire bras intermittently after this healing time.
It depends on the type of implant, how your body holds it, the existence (if any) of capsular contraction, and other such factors.
Smoking is quite detrimental to the healing process. Healing requires unrestricted flow of the blood supply and the oxygen with it to the healing area. However, smoking can cause blood vessels to constrict, hindering this process. Your doctor will know how long you should refrain from smoking prior to and following breast augmentation surgery.
Breasts with breast implants will naturally enlarge during pregnancy and you will go through all of the usual changes associated with pregnancy.
Many women with breasts implants have successfully breast fed their babies. Current studies indicate that women with implants, either gel or saline, do not have higher levels of silicone in the milk than women without breast implants. Breast implants can, however, interfere with the ability of some women to breast-feed. The peri-areolar incision site is more likely to affect this ability. Some women experience mastitis, inflammation in the breast ducts, during this time. You should always report signs of inflammation to your physician.
