Do breast implants interfere with mammograms?

It is more difficult to detect breast cancer on a patient who has breast implants. The technician uses additional views and special techniques to locate suspicious breast lesions. It is important to know that breast implants do not increase or decrease your chances for developing breast cancer.

Can I breast-feed with breast implants?

Women with breast implants can breast-feed. However, not all women are able to breast-feed with or without implants. The implants will not hurt the infant or the ability to produce milk. From a cosmetic point of view, breast-feeding may alter the shape of the breasts after breast-feeding is completed. However, for the best interest of the infant, breast-feeding is recommended for maternal bonding and transfer of maternal antibodies to the infant.

What will pregnancy do to my implanted breasts?

Pregnancy causes undesirable changes in female aesthetics. There are factors that increase the possibility for changes such as increased age, excessive weight gain, and breast-feeding. Most patients will have a cosmetically acceptable breast shape after pregnancy. A small percentage of women may need additional surgery to maintain breast aesthetics, but this decision should independent of your decision to undergo breast enlargement.

Do breast implants cause autoimmune or collagen vascular disease?

There is no clinically proven increased incidence of auto immune or collagen vascular disease in implanted women. The development of such diseases are independent of breast implants.

How can I determine breast size?

Chest dimensions and preference determine breast size. There is no correct breast size. Most women prefer to be a 'C' cup size. Implant sizes are measured in volume ( 200cc's, 300cc's etc). Remember, your new size is a combination of your current breast size plus breast implant volume. Excessively large breasts tend to look unnatural and may lead to shoulder and neck discomfort.

Are saline breast implants safe?

As with any surgery complications can arise. Breast implants are foreign bodies and therefore are not naturally occurring. However, saline implants are particularly safe. In the event of a rupture, the body simply absorbs the salt -water solution. The silicone envelope shell tends to remain in the breast pocket and can easily be removed or replaced. At the present time there is no known illness associated with saline-filled implants. There are more than two million women with implanted breasts. A vast majority of women are happy with their results.

What happens if my saline implants rupture?

The replacement of a saline-implant (unlike silicone implants) is relatively simple. The surgeon can usually go through the same incision, remove the deflated shell, and replace it with a new implant. The operation is usually quicker and with far less discomfort than the original surgery. Ruptured saline implants cannot be repaired, but must be replaced with a new implant.

What happens if I want to remove my implants when I am older?

From my experience, most women do not opt to remove their implants. However, if implants are removed at a later time, the breasts are older and also have been stretched by the implants. When the implants are removed, the breasts may look droopy and will definitely be smaller. Some patients may have a cosmetically acceptable breast and nipple position, while others may need a breast lift with removal of the extra skin.

What happens if I am unhappy with my breast size?

After surgery, some patients are initially concerned about breast size. They may be nervous that the breasts are too big, while others are concerned that the breasts are too small. My suggestions to my patients are to wait a minimum of six months to one year to allow the breasts to drop and take a more normal shape, as well as allow sufficient time to adjust to this change. If after a one year period, the patient is still unhappy, implants can be exchanged for a larger or smaller size or removed completely.

Should I have my implants placed over or under the muscle?

In most cases, I recommend placing implants under the muscle for the following reasons: there is more padding of the implant under the muscle thereby leading to less rippling, and a more natural feeling breast, and it is easier to detect a breast mass on mammograms. Also, this method provides more support to the implanted breast giving an improved shape over a longer term. However, it may be necessary to place the implants under the breasts (sub-glandular) in particular cases. Sub-glandular placements are usually recommended for patients who have droopy breasts and refuse breast lifts. These patients tend to have more breast tissue and therefore are able to better hide the implant. There is however, less discomfort when the implant is placed sub-glandular, as compared to under the muscle.

Which implant type should be used?

Each surgeon has his/her own opinion about implant type and manufacturer. Two popular U.S. companies are Mentor and Inamed. Implants can be round or contour shaped, textured or smooth. A study that compared contour shaped to round implants demonstrated the round implant is more like a natural breast than the contoured shaped implant when placed in the body and subjected to positional changes. It is the opinion of Dr. Kole that smooth, round implants, when properly filled and placed under the muscle have less rippling and appear more natural in most cases. At the time of consultation implant type and manufacturer can be individualized to your needs.

What is your opinion about silicone implants?

Silicone implants are superior when compared to saline implants as far as feel and look. Prior to November of 2006, the FDA recommendED that silicone implants should not be used for primary breast enlargement. However since that time the ban on silicone implants since 1992 has been lifted and the implants are now widely available. Since silicone has been used medically in the body and ingested as a legal food additive, there has not been an epidemic of silicone toxicity. Even saline implants have silicone as the outer shell or envelope. Since the bankruptcy of Dow Corning, (the former manufacturer of silicone implants), studies have supported the safety of silicone. Dr. Kole has operated on several ruptured silicone implanted patients. At the time of rupture, the silicone is gelatinous and difficult to remove unlike saline implants. Since the older ruptured silicone implants are less contained, it acts more like free silicone. Migration may be more of a factor. With the new ”cohesive” gel implants, this seems to be less of a factor.

Call Dr. Kole for a complimentary consultation: 215-354-1010