Tag Archives: breast augmentation

​Detecting Breast Cancer When You Have Implants

​Detecting Breast Cancer When You Have Implants

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Many women who undergo breast augmentation surgery often wonder how their implants will affect breast cancer prevention. Are there additional precautions women with breast implants need to take? The truth is, prevention methods for women with implants are slightly different than those without.

Here are some breast cancer prevention tips for women with implants:

Check your breasts regularly. Just as with women who don’t have breast implants, self-examinations are important. In fact, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 40 percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women finding a lump themselves. If you have breast implants, make sure that you are familiar with the way your breasts feel, so you can notice any abnormalities should they appear.

Many women with implants have actually reported that self-examinations were easier after their breast augmentation surgery.

Get a mammogram. Most women start getting annual mammograms at age 40. A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray that allows doctors to see changes in breast tissue. Mammograms can be used to detect breast cancer in women who don’t show any signs or symptoms of the disease.

The mammogram itself isn’t much different for women who have implants. There are typically four additional images that are taken in order to ensure that the doctor can properly see the breast tissue around the implants. These extra pictures are called implant displacement views. The implant is pushed back against the wall of the chest and the breast is pulled forward over it.

There are cases, however, where a woman’s implants have obscured the mammogram images, making it harder for the doctor to see any abnormalities. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that the radiologist performing the mammogram has experience performing and reading mammograms of women with breast implants.

Some doctors may recommend that you get a mammogram before and within one year of breast augmentation surgery. The mammogram you get after your surgery will serve as a baseline for future tests and make it easier for doctors to notice any abnormalities in the future.

Talk to your doctor. Make sure that your doctor is aware that you have implants, especially prior to getting a mammogram. Although it’s very rare that a mammogram can harm your implants, it’s best to let the doctor know so they can be sure to take those additional images.

Your doctor may also decide to give you additional tests, such as an MRI screening.

Breast cancer detection is not that different in women with breast implants. Although extra precautions should be taken, such as additional mammogram images, breast cancer can still be detected. It is also important to note that studies have shown that there has been no increase in breast cancer risk, no difference in survival rate, and no difference in stage of disease or recurrence rates in women with implants vs women without implants.

If you have any questions about breast augmentation surgery, please contact us today.

​How Long Do Silicone Breast Implants Last?

​How Long Do Silicone Breast Implants Last?

Chest Questions, , , , , ,

As one of the most common cosmetic surgeries within the United States, silicone breast implants are continuously growing in popularity.

For those who are considering this procedure themselves — or for those who are simply curious about implants — this post will discuss what silicone breast implants are made of, how long they last, and how to know when they need to be replaced.

What Are Silicone Breast Implants?

In short, silicone breast implants are pouches that have been uniquely formed to mimic the consistency and shape of natural breasts.

While both saline and silicone breast implants have silicone shells, the big difference between the two lies in how the actual implant is formed. Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water, whereas silicone breast implants are pre-filled with silicone. This thick gel closely mimics the consistency of natural fatty tissue.

Thus, many women opt for silicone breast implants rather than saline, as silicone tends to feel more natural.

History of Silicone Breast Implants

The very first silicone breast implant surgery was performed in 1962, amidst a significant time of reform and autonomy. During the 90s, silicone breast implants suffered a short period of unpopularity, due to a string of complications.

Now, however, with increased awareness and the evolution of modern medicine, these fifth generation silicone breast implants are perfectly safe — and incredibly popular.

In fact, nearly 300,000 American women get breast implants each year, solidifying their spot as the most popular form of cosmetic surgery.

How Long Do They Last?

This is probably one of the most common questions people inquire about when it comes to breast augmentation surgery – how long will the results last? The answer is, while it is possible for silicone breast implants to last for a lifetime, they may need to be replaced at some point. The older 2nd generation implants typically were all ruptured or leaking by 10 years post-surgery, but the current 5th generation gel implants remain mostly intact at 10 or even 20 years.

According to the FDA, it’s important that women continuously monitor their implants throughout their lifetime. Silicone implant ruptures are difficult to detect; they cannot be detected simply by looking at or feeling the augmented breast. The gel material is inert, so if a rupture does occur, the gel will not be absorbed by the body, so the appearance will not change.

For this reason, some patients will schedule MRIs or ultrasounds to look for any changes or ruptures in the outer shell, which are two determining factors in implant replacement.

Implants must be replaced if a rupture does occur, however. Without replacement, a ruptured silicone breast implant can cause breast pain, tenderness, or changes in the shape of the breast.

Whether you’re considering breast augmentation or simply curious about the process, understanding the basics of silicone breast implants, including how long they last, is important.

If you’d like to know more about breast augmentation surgery, contact Dr. Adams today to schedule a consultation or to ask any questions you may have.

31 Ways a Breast Implant Can Change Your Life

​31 Ways Breast Implants Can Change Your Life – New Year, New You

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The start of a new year is always a time for taking stock of your life. What were the highlights of last year? What do you want to change moving forward? If you’ve spent the last year – or longer – unsatisfied with your appearance and considering making a change by finally investing in breast augmentation surgery, now might be the time.

We’ve compiled a list of ways that breast augmentation surgery can have a lasting impact on your daily life. Physically and mentally, the changes that you go through in life shape the person that you are. If you are unhappy with the way you feel, or the way you project yourself onto others, it might be time to make a change. The first step in that process is to realize that you must make that change in order to be truly happy. A physical change, whether in appearance, clothing, or surgical enhancements, can do wonders for your self esteem and help boost your confidence to the levels you desire.

How can breast implants really change your life?

  1. You’ll project more confidence in everyday life.

  2. You’ll be happier with your appearance. When you look good, you feel good about yourself!

  3. Wear what you’ve always wanted to wear, and look amazing!

  4. There will be a better selection when bra shopping. All the styles you coveted will now look fantastic!

  5. You’ll fill out a V-neck top, a bikini top, or a low-cut dress like never before.

  6. Strapless dresses and tops that might not have been an option previously, now can be worn with confidence.

  7. Time to go shopping! A new body deserves a stylish new wardrobe to highlight your best assets.

  8. No more padded bras.

  9. No stuffing your bra or using “chicken cutlets.” That lift will be all you!

  10. No more hurtful jokes.

  11. Breasts that sag or are stretched from pregnancy, breastfeeding, and age will appear young and full again.

  12. You’ll feel more feminine and desirable.

  13. Spice up your love life! More body confidence leads to more bedroom confidence.

  14. More intimacy can reignite or deepen your romantic relationships.

  15. Single? Attract more attention…

  16. …and feel more outgoing and confident in social situations.

  17. Be bold! Go for the promotion, ask for the raise, take the solo vacation. Body confidence can translate to self-confidence in all areas of life!

  18. Foster deeper social connections. When you’re no longer self-conscious about your body, you can focus on people and conversations!

  19. Say goodbye to bra and swimsuit shopping anxiety!

  20. Stop smoking for good. You have to quit prior to having the surgery, so you might as well make it a permanent, positive change!

  21. Get into a consistent workout routine. You want the rest of your body to look as good as your implants.

  22. Eat healthy. Stave off stretch marks and awkward changes by maintaining a healthy weight.

  23. Enjoy getting UN-dressed.

  24. Foster deeper connection with your body for a more positive self-image.

  25. More general body awareness can lead to early detection of potential health issues.

  26. Boost self-esteem.

  27. Fight gravity as you age.

  28. Breast size won’t decrease if you lose weight.

  29. Become more proportionate head to toe.

  30. Love the way you look in the mirror.

  31. It’s a positive and permanent action to make YOU happier with your body.

Making the decision to get breast implants can change your life by making you look and feel better, and those positive effects can influence other aspects of your life. When considering implants, it’s important to maintain realistic expectations of what your implants will look like and what kind of impact they’ll have on your life.

Implants won’t automatically boost your self-esteem, improve your love life, kickstart your career, or fix depression or social anxiety. More serious underlying issues should be addressed with a professional before proceeding with breast augmentation. If you’re unhappy in many areas of your life, implants aren’t a magic cure-all, but if you’re simply unsatisfied with the size or shape of your natural breasts, implants may help create the change you seek. Talk to your plastic surgeon about your reasons for getting implants and your expectations post-surgery to make the best decision for you.

If you’re thinking about breast augmentation surgery, contact Dr. Adams today to set up a consultation, or reach out to us with any questions you may have.

​Can Breast Implants Freeze in Cold Weather?

​Can Breast Implants Freeze in Cold Weather?

Chest Questions, , ,

One of the most common questions among women seeking information on breast augmentation is whether or not their implants can freeze in the cold weather.

Since breast implants are filled with liquid or gel, and since liquids have a freezing point, it’s actually a smart question to ask.

Saline vs. Silicone Implants

Breast implants on the market today are filled with either a saline solution or a silicone gel. The silicone gel is filled with a semi-solid silicone gel, which allows the implant to be soft and pliable for breasts that look and feel natural. Saline breast implants are filled with a sterile salt-water solution, which has led to the myth that it may be possible for breast implants to freeze, because water itself can freeze if it’s too cold.

So what actually happens to breast implants when the temperatures outside get sub-Arctic?

Will Implants Freeze?

Regardless of the type of breast implant you choose to use, whether silicone based or saline based, you will never have to worry about your breast implants freezing within your chest. It is physically impossible.

The myth of the freezing breast implant seems to stem from the fact that saline based implants are comprised mainly of water and since water has a freezing point, then this could possibly lead to your breast implants freezing within your body if the temperature dips below 28.4 degrees Fahrenheit (the freezing point of salt water).

But you don’t have to worry – once they’re implanted in the body, breast implants will not freeze, no matter how cold it gets!

Breast implants cannot freeze because the core temperature of the human body hovers right around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, regardless of indoor or outdoor temperatures. When placed within the body, breast implants are insulated under the pectoral muscles, and the skin, and your natural internal body temperatures regulates the temperature of the implants.

For saline implants to freeze inside the body, the internal body temperature would have to drop to below 28.4 degrees, which is well below the temperature necessary to sustain life. And silicone gel implants would have to drop to 170 degrees below zero.

The lowest ever-recorded survived body temperature of human being was 56.7 degrees Fahrenheit, well above the freezing point of salt water.

In 20 years of practice, Dr. Adams has never seen a patient with any issue or complaint from cold weather and breast implants. He states, the “implant freeze stories are urban legends…”

Regardless of the type of filler, implants can experience slight variation in temperature based on the ambient temperature outside and how long a person was exposed. Most of the time this goes un-noticed by the patient.

Tips for Staying Comfortable in Cold Weather

To keep warm when spending time outdoors in the cold, be sure to bundle up! Wearing a camisole or lightweight undershirt as a base layer underneath normal clothing is a smart idea for anyone who’ll be out in the cold for long period of time. A vest can help keep the core body temperature warm underneath a jacket or coat without adding too much extra heat to the rest of the body.

Keeping the extra layers on once back inside, taking a hot shower, or spending a few minutes in a hot tub or sauna can help the breasts warm up more quickly to match the rest of the body’s temperature, just as you would do if your hands were cold after coming inside.

The myth of breast implants freezing is just that, a myth. If you live in an area of the world that sees temperature drops below freezing, your body will naturally regulate the temperature of the implants the same way it does with the other organs within your body.

You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Adams, or contact us with any questions.

​5 Do's and Don'ts of Choosing Your Implant Size

​5 Do’s and Don’ts of Choosing Your Implant Size

Breast Augmentation, , , , , , ,

When it comes to implants, size matters – and bigger isn’t always better. Following these tips will help you and your surgeon select the best implant size for your body, ensuring you’ll have the best results from your breast augmentation surgery.

Do: Measure Carefully

To determine implant size, it’s important to know your chest and breast dimensions. Measure the breast width in centimeters starting from the inside (cleavage area) in a straight line out to the outside edge of the breast. Breast width is important because implants that are slightly narrower than your natural breasts typically provide the best fit.

Don’t: Stuff Your Bra to Determine Implant Size

The Internet is full of guides on how to use baggies or pantyhose filled with rice or birdseed to figure out how large you’d like your implants. Since implants are filled with silicone gel or saline, not birdseed, this doesn’t give a very helpful idea of what your implants would actually look like! Many surgeons do have sample implants you can insert into your bra to get a rough idea of how big you’d like to go, but this is often misleading and the look and feel of the implant can be drastically different when it is actually inside the breast, rather than stuffed into a bra.

Do: Use 3D Imaging to See What Your New Breasts Will Look Like

Playing “dress-up” with implant samples can fun to get an idea of what you’ll look like after implants, but for a more accurate picture of your new look, find a surgeon that uses 3D imaging to show you what you’ll look like post-surgery.

Vectra 3D Imaging cameras take multiple photos from different views to build a three-dimensional model of your body. Your surgeon will be able to manipulate the model view to adjust the size and shape of the implants to fit your specifications. You’ll be able to see your future breasts from all angles, ensuring that you and your surgeon are on the same page about your desired results.

Don’t: Leave it to Implant Sizers

Some surgeons use single-use disposable sterile sizers during surgery to help guide implant selection, but to guarantee the results you want, decide on your size with your surgeon before surgery. This is called tissue based dimensional planning. Dr. Adams is internationally known for his many presentations and publications on this topic.

New 3D Imaging software allows surgeons to adjust sizing and show you in advance what your results will look like using different types and shapes of implants. Relying on those advanced tools, along with accurate measurements and markings, is a better way to ensure you’re satisfied with your implant size. Spending a little extra time before surgery to settle on a size and shape, rather than letting the surgeon rely on sizers in the OR, may also cut down on the surgery time and cost.

Don’t: Get What Your Friend Has

Sure, she looks great! But every woman is different, and the size and shape that looks phenomenal on her might not be as flattering on you.

There are many factors that determine implant size: your desired results, breast tissue density, breast size, chest size, height, weight, even exercise habits! Talk to your surgeon about your lifestyle and your ideal post-surgery breasts, measure accurately, and use 3D imaging to select implants that will look amazing on you. Dr. Adams uses all f this information to customize your implant type and size for you.

You might need a different size and shape than your friend, but with proper planning and consultation, you can have breasts that make you look and feel just as confident!

During consultation, Dr. Adams will walk you through the best steps to determine which implant will fit your breasts the best. Our office offers all types of implants including cohesive breast implants, saline and silicone breast implants, 3D imaging and the 24 hour fast track recovery. Learn more about our breast augmentation surgery here or feel free to contact us with any questions.