Breast Enhancement: Types Of Implants, Benefits And Risks

Breast enhancement is a surgical procedure that is done to enhance the shape and size of a woman's breast. This is a popular procedure and can help women who want to increase the size of their breasts so that their overall body shape can be enhanced.

It can also help with breasts that are of a different size, unequal in shape, or help women who have lost the shape due to pregnancy, nursing or age.

Other benefits of the surgery are: more self-confidence with body appearance, improvement in the total body appearance by giving more emphasis to size, giving more shape to the contour of the body and the availability of more clothing options.

For implants there are two basic types to choose from: saline filled or silicone gel-filled implants. At this time, saline-filled implants are being used; however, silicone gel-filled implants have been approved for special studies.

Getting breasts enhanced is certainly an individual decision; one that is made by a woman who has certain needs and desires for her breasts such as self-improvement, an increase in self-confidence in her overall body appearance, and just an overall better feeling of the self.

There are certain requirements that define who is a good candidate for this type of surgery. Such characteristics are: you must be at least 18 years old and a woman who wants to change the shape and size of her breasts.

Women who are not a candidate for the enhancement surgery are those who are breast feeding, are currently pregnant or are undergoing an infection in your body. And, if you have a malignant or pre-malignant cancer and you have not yet received treatment for it, then you will not be qualified for this procedure.

A reputable and professional surgeon who performs enlargement and one who uses saline implant should give the patient information and any other information that the patient wants or needs.

But, as with any surgery, there are risks. If a saline ruptures, the breast will change in size and shape but the saline leakage will not give any health risks but surgery will be needed to remove the silicone shell and a new implant will have to be put in-most likely at the same time the shell is removed.

However, if it is ruptured, you may not know it and this could cause serious health problems such as tissue diseases or cancer. If this happens, surgery will be needed to remove the ruptured one and at the same time a new one can be inserted.

In addition, silicone implants are now being monitored by the Food and Drug Administration with routine MRI scans every two years, once three years have gone by after the surgery.

Of course, if problems continue with the silicone implant, it is up to you to decide what to do next. Implants-both types-ares considered safe but you the patient need to know and understand the risks and benefits of each.

Still another different type of silicone implant is currently being developed and tested. It is called the "gummy bear" implant. It is made of a more cohesive gel. This may help keep the implant in proper shape and last longer. Clinical studies are now being held with women testing them out for effectiveness and safety.