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By Mayo Clinic staffInitially, you'll consult with a plastic surgeon about your preferences for size, feel and overall appearance of your breasts. The surgeon will describe specific types of implants — smooth or textured, round or shaped like a teardrop, saline-filled or gel-filled — as well as options for surgical techniques. Review any documentation carefully and keep copies of all pertinent information for your records.
Before you decide to go ahead with surgery, consider some important factors about breast augmentation:
- Breast implants aren't lifelong devices. Your breast implants will likely need to be removed or replaced at some point.
- You might need more surgery after breast implant removal. If you have your breast implants removed for any reason, you may experience unacceptable cosmetic changes — such as wrinkling, dimpling or droopy excess skin — which might require replacing the implants. Or you may need a breast lift (mastopexy) to remove excess skin and reposition your nipple.
- Breast implants won't prevent your breasts from sagging. To correct sagging breasts, some women need to consider a breast lift in addition to breast augmentation. In addition, depending on how it's done, breast augmentation may make breast-feeding more challenging.
- Mammograms may be more complicated. Routine mammograms often require additional, specialized views. The quality of the mammogram will depend on the experience and expertise of the technician and the facility you select.
- Insurance probably won't pay for the procedure. Unless it's medically necessary, breast augmentation may not be covered by your insurance plan. Be prepared to handle any expenses that accompany breast augmentation, including related surgeries or future imaging tests.
If you decide to have the surgery, you may need lab tests or a baseline mammogram ahead of time. If you're a smoker, your surgeon will ask you to stop smoking for a certain period of time before your surgery. You may also need to avoid aspirin or other medications that could increase bleeding during surgery.
- Lalani T, et al. Breast implant infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 18, 2010.
- Breast augmentation. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www1.plasticsurgery.org/ebusiness4/ProductCatalog/pdf/brochures/Breast_Augmentation.pdf. Accessed Oct. 18, 2010.
- Breast implant questions and answers. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/BreastImplants/ucm063719.htm. Accessed Oct. 18, 2010.
- FDA breast implant consumer handbook - 2004 - local complications and reoperations. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/BreastImplants/ucm064106.htm. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
- Walsh MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 2, 2010.
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