The Biggest Myths About Breast Augmentation

For decades, breast augmentation has ranked at the top of the list when it comes to plastic surgery procedures. Even so, there are still so many myths circulating about this procedure, some of which are so negative that they keep prospective patients away. In reality, breast augmentation can offer women a real solution to their breast problems, whether they are too small, uneven, or damaged by another surgical procedure. While breast implants aren’t for everyone, they can definitely make a big impact in the life of the right woman. Read on to debunk some of these harmful myths about breast augmentation. You might be surprised that your opinion will change.

Breast Implants Feel “Fake”

This myth is a common one that likely keeps many women away. They simply don’t want to have larger breasts at the cost of their natural feel and softness. With breast implants in place, the feel will change only slightly, but not in the horrible way many women imagine. They are very close to the natural breasts, almost unnoticeable, and are easy to adjust to. When breasts do become firm after an augmentation, the real issue may be the buildup of scar tissue. Plastic surgeons today practice surgical methods to avoid scar tissue and may take extra measures, like vitamin E doses and specialized exercises as well. Pay close attention to your surgeon’s advice to prevent the overproduction of scar tissue in your body and your fears of hardened breasts will never be realized.

Breast Implants Are Really Obvious

Having breast implants does not mean that you’re going to look like an unbalanced Barbie doll (unless that’s what you’re aiming for), so it should not be obvious to everyone you meet that your breasts have been augmented. Yes, family and friends are likely to notice the difference because they knew you before, but the new people in your life after surgery will only know if you tell them. Breast augmentations can only be deemed successful by your surgeon if they result in even breasts that are proportional to your body frame and look natural on you. Be open about your size expectations and any worries you have during your breast augmentation consultation. Your surgeon will work with you to determine the right sized breasts for you.

Having Breast Implants Will Interfere with My Activities

Many women fear that breast implants will be so large that they’ll have to give up playing sports, swimming, running, or other activities that they enjoy. While you will definitely need to limit your activities during the recovery period, you’ll be cleared to participate in your regular activities once you are healed. Once you resume your regular schedule, you might be surprised how little you notice the implants. If you do lead an active lifestyle, talk to your plastic surgeon about tailoring the size and material of your breast implants to help you keep this up after your surgery. He will be able to design the right implants to suit the activities you most enjoy.

Breast Implants Have to Be Replaced Often

Because breast implants are made synthetically, many people assume that they will need to be replaced or updated periodically. In some cases, the belief is that implants should be updated every 5 or 10 years, an alarming rate of return that most would-be patients don’t want to deal with. Today’s implants, however, can last much longer before needing replacement, typically 20 years for most patients. Before having your surgery, discuss your options for silicone or saline implants and how often you can expect to return for replacement implants. This may help you to decide if breast augmentation is for you and also which implants are your best option.

Breast Implants Will Perk Up Droopy Breasts

Some women don’t just feel that their breasts are too small, they are also frustrated by the sagging and drooping of their breasts. This occurs when the effects of gravity and aging have wreaked havoc on the skin, breaking down the elastin and collagen and leaving them to slide down to a woman’s belly button. When your breasts appear to be oblong or pendulous in shape, with the breast tissue settling down at the bottom and the nipples pointing downward, your breasts have fallen victim to time, gravity, and sometimes pregnancy and breastfeeding. Adding implants can restore some of the lost volume at the top, but you’ll still have sagging breast tissue and nipples to worry about. If you are experiencing these signs, it might be worthwhile to have a conversation with your plastic surgeon about a breast lift surgery instead. This can be performed with or without a breast augmentation to achieve added volume. For many women who have had children and/or reached middle age, pairing a breast lift with implants can be the best way to achieve optimum results.

Breast Implants Are a Health Risk

Some people falsely believe that breast implants are filled with chemicals toxic to the body and that they can leak into the blood stream and cause illness. There are also many urban legends out there about breast implants that explode and kill their host, whether they froze or overheated or just combusted. While these sound very exciting and dangerous, the truth is that they aren’t true at all. Today’s breast implants are made of safe materials that can withstand the activities of your daily life. The most common issues faced by breast implant patients are hardening, shifted positioning, infection, and distortion, all of which are very much not life threatening. Rest assured that your breast implants will not be slowly trying to poison your blood stream and just enjoy the wonderful results of your breast augmentation surgery.

Get Started with a Breast Augmentation Consultation

Choose a reputable board certified plastic surgeon to perform your breast augmentation in order to minimize your potential risks and maximize your results. If you have any other myths you’d like addresses, your consultation is a great time to get the answers you need to set your mind at ease. With his extensive experience, Dr. Ronald Lohner is a board certified plastic surgeon based in Philadelphia who offers facial surgeries such as chin implants, otoplasty, eyelid surgery, facelift, forehead lift and rhinoplasty to his patients. He completed his undergraduate education at Dartmouth College and medical school at UMDNJ-Rutgers. Currently, Dr. Lohner is Chief of Plastic Surgery at Bryn Mawr Hospital and holds a faculty appointment at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. His peers have selected him as a Philadelphia area Top Doctor for the last 8 years. His office is located at [primary_address] in [primary_city], [primary_statefull], on the Main Line. Please call his office at [primary_phone] to schedule a consultation for your liposuction procedure.