Breast implants and augmentation procedures have the power to transform the lives of women who get them. Improved self-esteem, quality of life, and sexual satisfaction are just a few of the many reasons that women opt to have the procedure performed.

As the life expectancy of the average person in the U.S. increases to upwards of 80 years, more and more women are looking—and feeling—younger than ever. “60” is now the new “40,” and this means many women still actively care about how they look once they reach middle age.

Many plastic surgeons have reported that they are seeing a massive uptick in women over the age of 40 who are wanting to get breast augmentation. One of the most common questions they hear is, “Am I too old for this procedure?”

We’re going to explore if there is a cut-off age for breast augmentation surgery and whether or not women over 40 face an increased risk of complications. 

Average Age of Breast Augmentation Patients

In 2018, there were 313,735 breast augmentation procedures performed in the U.S. Out of those, the average age of the patient was around 34 years of age. The earliest that women can get implants is 18 years of age—but only saline ones. 

As per FDA standards, women are only permitted to undergo augmentation with silicone implants when they reach 22 years of age. The reason for this rule is because women’s bodies continue to grow and mature well into their 20s. If they get implants at too young of an age, complications may arise as their bodies will continue to develop until they reach their physiological maturity.

Is There an Age Cut-off for Breast Implants?

While there is a cut-off age for younger women who want to get breast augmentation, what about older women? 

The FDA doesn’t have a cut-off age limit for breast implants. What they and plastic surgeons are more concerned about is the overall health of the prospective patient. As women get older, there are two distinct types of aging:

Chronological age—how old you are in actual years.

Physiological age—how much your body has worn out over the years.

People who tend to drink and smoke heavily and eat unhealthy foods tend to have a higher physiological age than those who don’t. It’s generally advised that if a woman over the age of 40 wants to get breast implants, she should first check with her primary care doctor. They will be better able to tell her if her body can undergo elective surgery. 

Potential Complications for Older Women

There are a few potential complications that older women could experience. If they are in poor health or their bodies have a high chronological age, they might see increased healing times, various aches and pains, and in some cases, complications from the anesthesia.

A study was performed in 2011 that found that women over the age of 50 can experience higher rates of complications—including infections—after breast reduction surgery. It linked the likely increase in risk due to age-related declines in hormone levels.

Generally speaking, women over the age of 40 can experience the same potential complications as someone in their 20’s. There is a slightly increased risk for certain women, and this is why it’s highly recommended they pay a visit to their general practitioner doctor and get their opinion.  

Benefits of Breast Augmentation for Older Women 

Women who are over the age of 40 can experience a wide range of benefits from undergoing a breast augmentation procedure. For starters, the average age of the start of menopause is around 51 years old. This means that post-menopausal women won’t have the risk of a pregnancy altering or destroying the work the surgeon did.

There are many women out there who are over the age of 50 and don’t look anywhere near it. There’s no valid reason why they shouldn’t undergo a breast augmentation procedure if their primary care doctor gives them the go-ahead. It can help make them look younger, increase their self-confidence, and add that little extra something to their sex life.

Women who have gotten implants previously can also benefit from breast augmentation in their later years. Over time, the capsule that surrounds the implant can harden (capsular contracture) and feel very unnatural. Augmentation can give them a softer, more natural look and feel to their breasts.

Breast Implant Surgery in Dallas

If you’re over the age of 40 and are wondering if breast augmentation surgery is right for you, give us a call at (214) 965-9885 or set up an appointment online. Dr. Adams is one of the leading breast augmentation specialists in the U.S. He’ll sit down with you and discuss the various options and answer any questions that you might have. 

Macrotextured breast implants are at the forefront of a recent international medical controversy that has turned political. Some countries, such as France have completely banned the usage of macrotextured breast implants due to their concerns that they can cause a rare form of cancer.

The U.S., on the other hand, is refusing to perform a blanket ban. The FDA states that the current available evidence is inconclusive, and they will instead require women considering breast implants to receive a more strongly worded warning about the potential dangers of the product.

In this blog post, we’re going to look at what a macrotextured breast implant is, why some countries are banning it, and what are the associated risks.

What Is a Macrotextured Breast Implant?

A macrotextured implant is a breast implant that has a textured and irregularly shaped surface. When implanted into the human body, it facilitates adhesion to the surrounding breast tissue and makes it very stable. This helps ensure that it stays precisely where the surgeon put it.

In the hands of an experienced surgeon, a macrotextured implant can help them shape and create a more natural looking breast.

In comparison to other types of implants that have different surfaces, macrotextured implants have a low rate of capsular contraction, rotation, and rippling.

So why are some countries like France banning them? And why hasn’t the U.S. followed suit?

Why Did France Ban the Macrotextured Implants?

On Friday, April 5th of 2019, the country of France banned macrotextured and polyurethane breast implants. The ban extends to several types of textured implants and is the first of its kind in the world.

Since 2011, 59 French women have developed a rare case of cancer called anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). France’s National Agency for Safety of Medicine and Health Products (ANSM) has found that many of those women suffering from the condition had textured implants that are designed to adhere to breast tissue.

It’s hard to say exactly why the French government reacted with such a heavy-handed blanket ban, especially when there isn’t much scientific evidence that links textured breast implants to an increased rate of a rare form of cancer. Many other  regulatory bodies in other countries including the US have looked at the same  data and  decided not to restrict any  implants.

Microtextured vs. Macrotextured Implants

Interestingly enough, France still allows for the sale of microtextured implants. The critical difference between the two is that macrotextured implants have a larger surface pattern and depths than microtextured ones.

Macrotextured implants have also been scientifically shown to adhere better to breast tissue, thereby immobilizing the implant and lessening the chances of it moving around or shifting position after the surgery.

Potential Risks of Breast Implants?

One of the most significant risks for women getting breast implants is the development of a rare form of cancer called Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). This type of cancer affects the cells of the immune system, and is found in the scar tissue that surrounds the breast implant.  Around 457 women in the U.S. alone have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, and nine of them have died so far.

What is BIA-ALCL?

Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma is not a form of breast cancer. It’s actually a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or cancer that affects the immune system.

It occurs when a patient’s white blood cells, which are used to fight off infections, start to rapidly multiply out of control.

BIA-ALCL can start to form and build up in the scar tissue that surrounds the implant. It does not form around the implant itself.

Risk and Signs of BIA-ALCL?

BIA-ALCL is a very rare form of cancer that has been associated with textured breast implants. It’s been estimated that the lifetime risk of developing this disease is around 1 in 3,000 and 1 in 120,000 depending on the type of implant. To put that number in perspective, breast cancer affects 1 out of every 8 women in America. BIA-ALCL is much rarer than breast cancer.

If you have textured breast implants, there are a few things you can do to be on the safe side. First off, be sure to keep your scheduled post-operative surgery appointments until your surgeon is satisfied with your healing progress. If you notice any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with your surgeon immediately:

• Lump
• Change in the shape of the breast
• Pain in the breast area
• Swelling around the breast

Breast Implants in Dallas

If you have any questions about textured implants or would like a second opinion, give Dr. Adams a call at (214) 965-9885 or schedule an appointment online. Dr. Adams is a Board-Certified plastic surgeon who will sit down with you and answer any questions you might have regarding your current or new breast implants.

When it comes to breast implant surgeries, sometimes complications will develop.This has nothing to do with the talent or experience of the surgeon, but rather the patient’s own body and immune system.

A common side effect of breast implant surgery is a condition called “capsular contracture.” It can cause distortion, pain, shifting, and hardening of the breast.

We’re going to look at what a capsular contracture is, the reasons behind why it can happen, how it can be avoided, and the various options available to fix it.

What is a Capsular Contracture?

The human body views saline and silicone breast implants as non-natural intruders. As you’re healing up from breast implant surgery, your body sees a foreign object and forms a thin membrane called a capsule around it. This is actually a benefit because it can prevent the implant from moving around the area it was initially placed.

Problems arise when the scar tissue becomes too thick and starts to contract and squeeze the implant. This is what causes pain, shifting of the implant, and hardening of the breast.

How Does it Happen?

There are a few things that can cause capsular contracture to develop after breast implant surgery, and all are related to  the bacterial load around the implant.

A pocket of blood serum within the surgical area can alsopotientiate bacterial growth and the formation of a capsular contracture.

Capsular contractures are graded on a scale called a Baker Scale. There are four levels, with the fourth being the most serious:

Grade 1 – The breast appears normal and soft. The overall capsule is flexible.

Grade 2 – The breast is somewhat hard to the touch, but overall looks normal.

Grade 3 – There is some distortion to the breast, and it’s hard. The breast can also become rounded in appearance and tilted upwards.

Grade 4 – Similar symptoms to Grade 3, but the capsule is much more hardened.

How Can it be Avoided?

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss several placement options. Implants that are placed within muscles are less prone to developing capsular contractures.

Many methods have been described but the only evidence based prevention is a refined surgical technique called the 14 point plan that Dr. Adams developed.

What Can be Done to Fix?

If you have developed a capsular contracture, there are several things your surgeon can do to help alleviate both the pain and the condition. A capsulectomy can be performed which removes the capsule completely. The surgeon might opt to replace the breast implant as well for best chances of success.

Another surgery called a capsulotomy can be performed. In this procedure the scar tissue is sliced open, thereby allowing expansion and decrease in pain and pressure. If surgery isn’t an option or the patient has no desire to undergo the knife, other treatment methods can potentially help.

Prescribed medications, massages, and even ultrasounds might help the stiff capsule relax a bit. If you suffer from capsular contracture or are in pain, it’s best to make an appointment with a surgeon as soon as possible to discuss your concerns and go over all available treatment options.

Breast Implant Surgery Recovery

You can also help lessen the risk of a capsule from forming by keeping a few things in mind while recovering from surgery. For example, quitting smoking can help decrease overall healing times.

For the first few weeks after surgery, try to avoid any strenuous physical activities which could cause the implant to shift. It needs time to settle into its final resting place, so avoid any trauma to the breast area, including heavy exercise.

If you’re having chest wall radiation after your mastectomy, you might want to consider delaying implant surgery until after your treatments have completed.

Capsular Contracture Treatment in Dallas

If you’re suffering from a capsular contracture, experiencing pain or stiffness of the breasts after implant surgery, or think you might be at-risk of developing one, give the offices of Dr. Adams a call at (214) 965-9885 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Adams is a world-renowned breast implant surgeon and can help fix your capsular contracture and get you on the road to recovery.

Breast reconstruction surgery often requires the expansion of the breast muscle and skin using a medical device called a tissue expander. The expander resides in the chest cavity of the patient and is used to expand and stretch the skin and muscle to make enough room for an implant.

In order to stretch the skin and muscle, a nurse practitioner will inject a salt-water solution through the skin and into the expander so that it gradually fills over a few weeks or months. After the skin has been stretched enough, the expander is removed, and the permanent implant is placed.

This was the way breast reconstructive surgery was performed for many years. Women had no choice but to endure the needle pricks into their breast cavity every few weeks. Recently, a new medical device came onto the market that enables the patient to control the expansion process via remote control as well as eliminate the need for needle injections.

The AeroForm Tissue Expander

The AeroForm Tissue Expander was recently approved by the FDA as a replacement for tissue expansion via saline injections. The device resembles the shape of an implant. It contains a CO2 cartridge and a receiver that receives instructions from a remote control. Surgeons will place the AeroForm Tissue Expander into the chest cavity underneath the skin and chest muscle.

After the initial surgery, the patient will be given a small hand-held device that resembles a remote control. On it is a single button. When it comes time to expand the tissue, the patient will press the button on the remote control which will send a wireless signal to the expander inside their chest cavity. The cartridge inside will release a small burst of CO2 which will inflate the implant to a predetermined size. The entire process can be done by the patient in the comfort of their own home and does not require a physical visit to the doctor’s office.

The AeroForm is a great option for those patients who don’t live near their doctors. It should be noted that the doctor will want to see the patient from time to time to ensure that the process is going smoothly, and everything is in order.

AeroForm Vs. Saline

There are several key differences between AeroForm and saline. While individual cases may vary somewhat, the average time that it takes for the AeroForm to work is much less than the saline injections. On average, it can take weeks for the AeroForm to do its job vs. months if the patient received saline injections instead.

The expansion is done by the patient via a hand-held remote control for AeroForm versus needle injections done by the doctor’s office. There are many patients who have to fly to a different state to visit their doctor. This can significantly cut down on the cost of travel as well as the inconvenience.

Pros

The main benefit of the AeroForm system is that no needles are involved. For many breast reconstruction patients, they have had to accept the fact that they will have to return to the doctor’s office over the course of several months and have a nurse practitioner or doctor inject their breast with a needle. They now have a choice to forgo the injections and multiple office visits.

There is also a slight medical benefit as well. Anytime you introduce foreign object through the skin into an expander (the needle) there are risks of deflation, infection, and complications which would require the reconstruction to begin all over again. Because the AeroForm system does not require any injections of saline into the expanders following their initial placement, that lowers the risk of complications.

Another benefit is that the Aeroform expander has been expertly pre-programmed prior to being inserted into the patient. This removes room for human error that could potentially occur when the patient is being given a saline injection with the needle.

Finally, being able to forgo the office visit every few weeks is another benefit that many women find appealing. Being able to expand via a remote control inside their house is preferred to going through the hassle of making their way down to the doctor’s office.

Cons

A slight downside is that with the injections, surgeons can look at the overall situation, adjust the hypothesized amounts of saline if need be – and most importantly, make sure everything is ok. If patients start using the Aeroform device, it would require less visits to the surgeon’s office and that could have negative impacts in cases where complications might arise.

Breast Reconstructive Surgery in Dallas

If you’re considering breast reconstructive surgery and would like to learn more about the AeroForm Tissue Expander, give the offices of Dr. Adams a call at (214) 965-9885. Dr. Adams is a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in reconstructive breast surgery. During your consultation, he will sit down with you and go over your options and answer any questions you might have.