Breast augmentation and breast implants have become one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries, attracting almost 300,000 women globally. When you are planning to enhance the shape and size of your breasts, you will come across many comments that are either true or false. It is important to differentiate the myths from the facts.
Here are 10 common myths about breast augmentation and implants.
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Myth #1: It will be hard to breastfeed after implants
Truth: Breastfeeding after implants is neither a risk nor a difficulty. The procedure involves incisions and injection, touching only the breast tissues. As long as the nipples and milk ducts are intact and undamaged, you will not face any discomfort during lactation. There hasn’t been a problem of breastfeeding by women with silicone implants so far; in fact, there are specific augmentation methods that improve breastfeeding.
This myth is commonly confused with the outcomes of reduction mammoplasty which means the reduction of the breast. If you are unable to breastfeed, it may be because of inborn anatomical inconsistency.
Myth #2: The results are unnatural and looks fake
Truth: Advanced technology has made it possible for fake breasts to look natural. Your surgeon will take into consideration your measurements and body type before deciding on the increase of the breast. The placement of the implants beneath the chest muscle hides the implant, and it also makes it easy to pass the screening examination. However, if the implants are a lot bigger than your original breast size, the outcome will be unnatural.
Myth #3: Implants will last for only ten years
Truth: On the contrary to this myth, high-quality silicone implants can last a lifetime. Moreover, in recent years the rate of implants deteriorating before ten years is only 4%. With saline and silicone gel implants there might be cases of leakage or implant fails which will result in discomfort on the breasts but the volume will not change. While your body will absorb saline, the leaked silicone gel can be surgically removed by your surgeon without complications. However, it is recommended to visit your surgeon at intervals to keep track of your implant status.
Myth #4: The results will show immediately after augmentation
Truth: One of the most promising breast augmentation myths is the expectation of seeing immediate results. What happens is, right after the surgery your muscles will react by contracting and there will be visible swelling. As the swelling fades, your breast will come to a normal position in 8 to 12 weeks giving you a perfectly shaped pair of breasts.
Myth #5: Implants will increase the risk of breast cancer
Truth: Breast implants do not increase the risk of breast cancer. Instead, it leads to the formation of scar tissue which may interfere in mammogram reading. However, the silicone gel will still allow the doctors to run a screening test successfully.[1]
Myth #6: I won’t be able to play sports after breast implants
Truth: After the surgery, your surgeon will advise you to avoid high impact activities which can affect your recovery phase. When you complete one month of the standard recovery period, you can indulge in any sports provided you wear the correct sports bra for support.
Myth #7: Larger implants are always better
Truth: The idea of enormous breasts sounds comical and impractical too. Before you decide on a dramatic bust size increase, you need to consider the proportion of your body. Technological innovations like the Vectra 3D helps the surgeons and patients see a preview of how the volume of size increase will look after surgery. Truth be told, smaller breasts look beautiful with the right shape and proportion.
Myth #8: Recovery time for breast augmentation will be long and painful
Truth: The standard period for recovery after augmentation is one to two weeks. Experiencing a certain amount of pain after any surgery is normal, but the pain won’t go to extreme lengths as the myth says. Recovery will differ from patient to patient. If your pain is not subsiding, your doctor will ease the discomfort with medications which should decrease within a week.
Myth #9: I will lose sensation on my breasts
Truth: You may lose sensation on your nipples after surgery. But, as your nerves adjust to the new size of your bust, your nipples will start feeling the sensation in a few months after full recovery. Permanent loss of breast sensation is almost zero to rare.
Myth #10: Breast augmentations will result in early sagging
Truth: Before undertaking a surgery, your surgeon will examine the quality and texture of your skin and accordingly decide the implant size. It is not recommended to place large implants if you have sagging skin.
Besides breast implants myths, there are prevailing risks that you should be mindful of. Any enhancement to your body will increase your self-confidence; be sure you are comfortable with or without the change.
[1] Since 2011, a possible association has been established between textured breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer of the immune system). In most cases, BIA-ALCL is found in the scar tissue and fluid near the implant, but in some cases, it can spread throughout the body. Precise risks are difficult to determine due to lack of information about how many patients have received breast implants in the US and worldwide. The risks are currently low, but investigations are ongoing and the potential risks are taken very seriously.
The international consensus is that there is no evidence supporting the removal of breast implants in the absence of properly diagnosed BIA-ALCL.
https://www.tga.gov.au/breast-implant-associated-cancer-or-bia-alcl
https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/implantsandprosthetics/breastimplants/ucm239995.htm