1. How long do breast implants last?
Before any surgery, we like our patients to be informed not only about the surgery itself but also about future care.
In breast augmentation surgery, there are the risks associated with any surgery and also risks or possible complications associated with the placement of the implants. We believe it is essential for our patients to be aware of this so that their decision and choice is as conscious and informed as possible, participating in the process of choosing the implant, the surgical approach and the regular breast reassessment after the implant.
In this way, we achieve greater satisfaction for our patients, who are aware of their role in achieving better results after breast augmentation.
Breast implants are still not lifelong medical devices, requiring a review a few years after their placement. The recommended time is usually 10 years. Patients should realise that breast augmentation will never be just a surgery, as they may need to have the implants removed and replaced a few years later. Unexpected complications such as implant displacement, unsatisfactory results, capsule contracture and other complications can also occur with some frequency, requiring further surgery.
2. Do breast implants interfere with breastfeeding?
For women who wish to breastfeed, breast implants should be placed after the woman has decided not to have any more children or does not wish to breastfeed, as they can make this more difficult by reducing or making it impossible to produce milk. Implants placed under the pectoral muscle (submuscular) have the least effect on breastfeeding.
Surgery using the periaureolar approach is most often linked to breastfeeding difficulties because the breast tissue is dissected deep down to create the pocket for the implant.
3. Are check-ups necessary after breast implants?
Some studies report that when silicone-free gel implants rupture (albeit infrequently), the clinical picture is less obvious than when saline implants rupture, making it difficult to diagnose, as it is a “silent rupture”. It is therefore advisable to have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan 3 years after the breast implant has been placed and MRI scans 2 years later. When our patients make the decision to undergo breast augmentation should realise that long-term monitoring of the implant is important. Patients should carry out a monthly self-assessment of the implant and breast tissue, as it is possible to detect complications such as implant rupture through symptoms such as persistent pain, oedema and changes in the shape of the implant.
4. Do breast implants interfere with mammography?
Also important is the fact that breast augmentation makes gynaecological imaging of the breast more difficult, using mammography. Implants placed under the pectoral muscle have less interference in this test. However, implants can make the examination more difficult, as it requires placing the breast tissue between two platforms that minimise the space between them, squeezing the breast tissue and the implant. For this reason, it may take several shots of radiation to get a favourable image of the breast tissue (increasing radiation exposure) and it may still be difficult to detect the presence of any suspicious breast masses.
During mammography, there is also the risk of the implant rupturing when trying to squeeze the breast tissue. It is essential that patients inform the X-ray technician that they have breast implants.
5. What is the ideal breast implant size for your body?
This is one of the issues that worries women the most because the only way to correct a wrong choice is to have repeat surgery. Something no woman wants.
An experienced doctor can guide you through the process of choosing the right medicines. sizes of your breast augmentation so that you won't be dissatisfied with the end result.
In addition to the doctor's invaluable help, the best and most modern plastic surgery clinics offer their patients simulators that allow them to preview their new body in 3D with and without clothes during consultations before surgery. This way you can get a very clear idea of the result that awaits you and together with your doctor determine which size is best for your body. This tool drastically reduces anxiety levels regarding the sizes of breast implants to choose.
In practice, this is best way to make a Test Drive in your new cleavage before the big decision that will change your life forever.
If you want to simulate your new neckline in 3D, our plastic surgery clinic in Lisbon is equipped with one of the most modern plastic surgery simulators (before and after) - the Vectra XT 3D. If you want more information fill in this form.
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