Choosing the Right Breast Augmentation Procedure

    /24-7PressRelease/ - MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, November 03, 2007 - Considering breast augmentation? Your final choice of the type of breast implant that is right for you depends upon a frank discussion with your board certified cosmetic surgeon, who will work with you to determine the type of implant that is best for your body. Your decision can take into account several factors:

· The size of your natural breasts and the size you would like to be
· The shape of your natural breasts
· The elasticity and condition of your skin
· The type of implant
· The position of the implant
· Your surgeon's incision choices

Let's take a look at the different types of breast augmentation procedures:

Saline Implants:
Most of today's breast augmentation procedures use implants filled with saline, or salt water, and available in either a round or teardrop shape. The round saline implants are placed under the pectoral or sub-pectoral muscle. The teardrop shaped implants are most commonly placed on top of the muscle, beneath breast tissue ("sub-glandular"). This placement usually creates more cleavage because the implants are placed closer to the midline, or center of the chest area. Also, they are not as likely to bring about the type of unwanted breast movement that can occur as you flex the pectoral muscles. Your choice of implant placement depends largely on your cosmetic surgeon's and your preference for the ideal breast shape.

When choosing a saline implant, you have a choice of the smooth or textured type. Textured saline implants encourage tissue adherence and reduce capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is a common complication where the connective tissue that normally forms around the implant tightens and squeezes the implant. Although more expensive, some saline implants are expandable, allowing for further enlargement with additional saline if the patient should decide after surgery that the shape is not full enough.

Silicone Gel Implants:
Silicone implants have been in use since 1964. The materials used in these implants came under scrutiny when media reports of silicone leakage into the body caused the FDA to restrict use of silicone implants to reconstructive rather than cosmetic work. There were claims that the silicone gel contributed to autoimmune diseases and cancer. However, during 14 years of intensive and extensive study, not basis was found for any such claim. In 2006, the FDA approved the implants of two California manufacturers, Allergan and Mentor, for safe use in breast augmentation for women 22 years of age and older.

What's changed from the original silicone implants?
The gels retains its shape even if the shell ruptures. That means it doesn't leak into the body. Even if it did, the previous panic about harm caused by silicone gel was unfounded. This gel is made from silicon, which is the second most common element on earth, after oxygen. It's used in hundreds of common household products such as hair spray, dish detergent, cleaning products and hand lotion. Our bodies are all well used to it.

Here are a few other differences between silicone and saline implants:

· Saline implants produce a warmer-feeling breast on cold days
· Silicone gel implants are cooler to the touch but have a more natural, 'real breast tissue' feel some women and cosmetic surgeons prefer
· Saline implants seem to show more wrinkles than silicone gel implants
· Silicone gel implants develop more firmness but have a higher incidence of capsular contracture

As with all surgical procedures, your cosmetic surgeon and his professional team are your most important resource for the latest information and advanced technologies. Be sure you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Dr. Howard Rosenberg at Accent on Aesthetics, Mountain View CA will be happy to meet with you and answer every question you have about breast implants, putting you on the road to enjoying shapelier, fuller breasts and an enhanced self image. Dr. Rosenberg can be reached at (650) 961-2652.

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