Breast Implant Myths That You Should Know The Truth About

      It’s understandable that there are so many myths about breast implants and breast augmentation surgery. A cosmetic procedure that can produce such dramatic changes, and provokes so much discussion, tends to lend itself to misinformation spreading very quickly.

      This page is aimed at correcting some of the more common, though certainly not all, myths out there about breast implants. Please read them over before going in for your consultation with your plastic surgeon.

Myth #1: Breast Augmentation Is Risky For Women Over 50

Actually, women of almost any age are potential candidates for breast augmentation as long as they’re:

-       In good medical health and

-       Breast cancer free

   Females of all ages have undergone this cosmetic surgery. The real qualifier is your medical condition, not your age. Some tests may be required for your safety, but your age alone will rarely be the one reason for disqualification as a patient.

Myth #2: Patients can have any shape or size breast implant they desire.

     The reality is that your body shape and size will restrict the range of breast implant size available to you. Still, you should bring photographic examples or a clear idea of what you want to the consultation(s) with the surgeon. The more you both know about your goal, the better the augmentation will result.

Myth #3: Breast implants must be removed every 10 years

     Currently there’s no specific measurement for predicting how long your – or anyone’s - breast implants will last. For some there will come a time for their removal or replacement due to different reasons. For others, their breast implants may last a lifetime.

Myth #4 There’s one "Best" breast augmentation incision

       Often patients believe that one breast augmentation incision technique is the best for all. That is not true.

      Instead, your plastic surgeon should have the experience and knowledge that give them a choice of incision areas and techniques. They should select them based on your unique body type and with the best cosmetic result in mind. This will vary from patient to patient, so what worked for one will not be appropriate for another.

Myth #5: Breast implants rupture easily.

      Breast implants do not rupture nearly as often as believed. Breast implants are actually tested rigorously for this eventuality. One way is by using a machine that presses them between 2 metal plates at a rate of 200 compressions per minute. This pressure is much greater than anything they will experience in your daily life.

      Though rupturing does occur, the vast majority of breast implants remain intact in patients for years after their augmentation surgery.

       Keep these points in mind when looking for a plastic surgeon and so you have a clearer idea of what can be accomplished with breast implant surgery.