Questions About Breast Implants
Breast Implants Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica
Are breast implants safe?
Saline and silicone breast implants are both designed with your safety in mind. If a saline implant leaks, the salt water solution inside of it will be harmlessly absorbed by your body. Meanwhile, silicone breast implants are made with a cohesive gel that is meant to stay in place if a rupture occurs. Silicone leaks extremely slowly; you may not notice any difference in your breast size for several years. Because it is hard to detect a silicone leak visually, the FDA recommends that women have a breast MRI three years after the implants were first placed, and every two years after that point.
Although most women do not have a strong reaction (if any) when a silicone breast implant leaks, others may become sick. Be sure to follow up on any unusual symptoms with Dr. Kim and/or your primary doctor.
Is there an age limit for getting breast implants?
The FDA requires patients to be at least 18 years old in order to receive saline breast implants, and at least 22 years old for silicone implants. Although there is not an upper age limit for breast augmentation, older patients need to be in good health and free of major medical conditions before considering breast augmentation surgery. It may be necessary for you to obtain approval from your primary physician.
How long do breast implants generally last?
It is difficult to predict how long any given breast implant will last, but in general, the FDA has found that after approximately ten years, a woman can expect to have problems with at least one of her breast implants.
Once a breast implant has ruptured, it will need to be removed and replaced. Since implants do not last forever, you should expect to need additional surgery over the course of your life in order to address leaks and other possible complications.
Is it common to experience loss of feeling in the nipples?
Some temporary loss of sensation in your nipples is possible after breast augmentation surgery. However, permanent numbness is quite rare. When breast implants are placed underneath the chest muscles (the subpectoral placement method), nipple sensitivity tends to be more effectively preserved. During a personal consultation, Dr. Kim can help you decide which implant placement method is right for you.
If you live in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, or Santa Monica and have further questions about breast implants, please contact us today to schedule a consultation with plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim.
