FAQs

Q: Why 22?
A: Someone, somewhere decided this was the age that the breast is fully developed. In my opinion, this is an arbitrary age. Anyone who owns a pair of breasts knows that the breasts change over a lifetime with varied responses to weight loss or gain, pregnancy, breast feeding, menopause, hormones for contraception or menopausal symptoms, and those pesky natural laws known as gravity and aging. That being said, if you are under 22 and desire augmentation with gel implants, you need to wait (we card) or you may proceed with saline-filled implants. If you are under 22 and have a developmental problem such as asymmetry, a concave or convex breast bone (pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum, respectively) or really do have almost no development and are at a healthy weight, this falls under reconstruction and the implants are available to you. Don't ask me to cheat. I won't.

Q: Are silicone-filled implants better that saline-filled implants?
A: Yes and no. Yes, in that in some women, those who are very thin or have very little or no breast tissue, the implants look and feel more natural and are less likely to have visible or palpable rippling. No, in that the silicone-filled implants are more expensive and if they leak, this may be a silent leak, meaning that there may be no noticeable changes to the breasts. This is in contrast with saline implants. If a saline-filled implant leaks, your breast shrinks.  
Because of the possibility of a silent leak in silicone-filled implants, the manufacturers advise that women with these implants have an MRI three years after receiving their implants and every two years thereafter. The MRIs are the patient's responsibility and this will likely be an out-of-pocket expense. Also, it is possible that some health insurers will charge implant patients more for coverage or may even deny coverage. You should check into this with your insurer before making a decision about silicone-filled implants.

Q: Hey! These sound great! Do I have to do anything other that sign on the dotted line to get these implants?
A: Oh yeah. You need to read the patient information brochure for the implants and be sure you understand the benefits and the risks of silicone-filled implants prior to scheduling your surgery. This information is available on line. Please refer to "Important Information for Women About Breast Augmentation (or Reconstruction) with INAMED Silicone-Filled Breast Implants" at www.allergan.com and "Important Information for Augmentation (or Reconstruction) Patients about Mentor Memory Gel Silicone-Filled Breast Implants") at www.mentorcorp.com. Print both of these information packets and read them prior to your consultation with me. Set aside a little time.   Both are lengthy and detailed. You are required to sign off that you have read these prior to your surgery. These web sites also have a lot of info and FAQ's as well.

Q: I'm pretty happy with my saline-filled implants. Should I switch over?
A: Every surgeon knows that the enemy of good is better. If you have a good result with saline-filled implants, don't worry and be happy. Come see me if and when they leak. If you are bothered by palpability or rippling or don't like the way your implants look or feel, come in and see me for a consultation. I'll give you my opinion if it is likely worth the additional time, surgery, money and recovery to switch over to silicone-filled implants.

Q: Geez, isn't this a lot to have to digest.
A: Oh, yeah. But isn't it nice to have a choice?