1. What prevents bacteria from getting into implants?

The biggest risks of surgery are infection and bleeding. Infection is prevented by performing skin cleansing before surgery, antibiotics given around the time of surgery and the use of antibiotic solutions to irrigate the pocket created to place the implant. Many plastic surgeons will also place their patients on a few days of antibiotics after surgery and will give them antibiotics prophylactically prior to dental work.


2. What about mammograms after breast augmentation?

It is important for women to tell their doctor that they have implants in place so that the correct imaging study (mammogram) can be performed for screening exams. Women with breast implants should also follow the recommendations for self breast exams.


3. What is a "Spectrum" implant and why would someone want one?

Spectrum is another term used for Saline implants which can be adjusted at the time of surgery or after surgery. The benefit of post surgical adjustable saline implants (Spectrum) is that the volume of the implant can be changed after the swelling that occurs around surgery subsides. This is an important concept in some woman with significantly different sized breasts


4. What are the specifications for the different implants?

There are two types of implants available in the U.S.: saline and silicone gel. The implant is made of a silastic shell (this is silicone based product that is pliable). The shell can be either smooth or textured. The texturing of the shell is a design imprinted in the shell that may reduce scar formation around the implant. The shell is then filled with either salt water (saline) or silicone gel. The gel implants have recently been re-released into the market and have undergone rigorous safety testing. They have been found to be as safe as saline implants. The type of implant chosen should be a decision the woman makes after a thorough discussion with her plastic surgeon. There are benefits and detractors for both implants.


5. Can implants cause breast cancer?

Breast implants have been shown to be safe and do not increase the risk for breast disease or breast cancer.


6. How do I keep my breast augmentation private?

It is not necessary to tell family or friend about your breast implants, it is the woman' s choice of who else she tells.


7. How can a woman decide what size implants she wants?

Making the right choice regarding size is probably the biggest choice most woman face with breast augmentation. Some tips for choosing your size:

1. Your chest dimensions (how thin or broad your chest is and how tall you are) actually affects how a particular sized implant will look. For an example, a thin petite woman who wears a 32 B cup will take less volume in an implant (smaller implant) to achieve a 32 C cup then a woman who wears a 38 B. In other words the larger the chest circumference the more volume it takes to increase the size of the breast.

2. Don t pick the size of implant your sister used or your best friend- this may be too small or too big for you.

3. Look at bras . Where ever you are going to buy your bras , go look at the cup size you think you want. Bras are made differently and the cup size is not standardized so one make of bra 34C is not the same as another.

4. Ask your plastic surgeon. Most plastic surgeons have method by which they determine how much volume you will need to go up a cup size (or more). So ask what they recommend.