Posted on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2005
NewBeauty.com

Four Facts About Breast Implants

Content courtesy of NewBeauty
http://www.newbeauty.com/

All breast implants may be detected by the touch. FALSE.

In patients with a thicker layer of breast tissue, it can be difficult to detect an implant. However, any implant can ripple or wrinkle. Not all women experience this visible side effect; it is more common with saline and some textured implants and in extremely slender patients with little body fat. Talk to your doctor about the proper implant and placement for your body type to minimize implant visibility.

All breast implants become hard over time. FALSE.

Some women may develop a condition called capsular contracture after the placement of breast implants. This is a contraction of the natural internal scar tissue that occurs around the implant. If the hardening creates a discomfort or a visibly distorted shape, the scar tissue surrounding the implant may need to be surgically released, or totally removed, and the implants themselves may need to be replaced. Saline implants have a lower rate of noticeable capsular contracture.

Breast implants can move or fall out of position. TRUE.

Symmastia, where the implants drift together and look like one large breast, is a very rare complication. It is unlikely to happen if the implants are placed in an appropriate size pocket and position on the chest wall. Symmastia or any form of implant displacement can be improved by an experienced plastic surgeon.

Silicone breast implants can cause cancer and other diseases. FALSE.

The “FDA Breast Implant Consumer Handbook 2004” cites the highly regarded Institute of Medicine studies that dispel possible links between illness and silicone breast implants in some women. This independent panel found that silicone breast implants do not increase the risk or signs and symptoms of autoimmune diseases.