When choosing an experienced surgeon who is experienced with breast implantation, you should know the answers to the following questions:

Two manufacturers currently make FDA approved implants in the US. (See ebreastaug.com's section on Implant Manufacturers) The manufacturers are Mentorand Inamed (formerly McGhan). These companies manufacture a variety of products, which include both saline and silicone filled implants (see ebreastaug.com's General Information section). These are both made in a variety of sizes, and shapes. The exact implant size, shape and texture should be discussed with your plastic surgeon.

Breast implants consist of a silicone rubber shell that is filled with a saline solution during surgery or pre-filled with silicone gel. Breast implants come in different shapes, sizes and projections to accommodate women with different body types and aesthetic goals. Round implants with a smooth surface are currently used for the majority of breast augmentations, though some women choose contoured, or "anatomical," implants that have a textured surface.

The FDA has limited the use of silicone breast implants pending further research, so saline implants are the default choice at the present time. There are many different shapes, sizes and textures available today in saline breast implants. During your FREE confidential consultation the doctor and his staff will review the different types of breast implants with you and help you choose the one that will best flatter your physique.

They are usually made of a silicone shell and filled with normal saline, the substance that makes up 98 percent of our bodies. The silicone used for the shell is similar to that in artificial hips, knees and intravenous catheters used in the hospital every day.

Simply, no. This rumor surfaced in 1992 when the Food and Drug Administration banned silicone breast implants due to a high occurrence of rupture as well as a reported increase in autoimmune diseases such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. In 1994, The American College of Rheumatology conducted the most comprehensive studies to date and found no connection between silicone breast implants and lupus or any other connective tissue disease.

See the answer here: Surgical Artistry's guide to Gummy Bear Breast Implants. Sometimes Gummy Bear Implants are spelled as Gummi Bear Implants.

Breast implants will not change your risk for breast cancer. The implants may change the feel of breast lumps during an examination - sometimes, breast implants may even make breast lumps easier to detect, by "pushing" the breast lumps closer to the skin surface. We recommend continued surveillence for breast cancer with annual mammograms for those over 35 and routine physical examinations.

The implant may be subglandular, submuscular, or subpectoral. The subglandular placement is below the breast tissue and above the muscular fascia. The submuscular placement is above the chest wall and below the pectoralis major and minor, serratus anterion, tectus abdominus, and silicone gel-filled implants in previously augmented patients. At present, saline-filled implants in a smooth or textured envelope are available.

The FDA passed a regulation on silicone breast implants. Silicone gel implants are currently available to certain patient groups who meet the following guidelines: The patients must be at least 18 years old, and can be excluded in the presence of infection, nursing mothers, autoimmune diseases, or other diseases that impair wound healing. Newer implants are now on the market that gives greater projection per base diameter.

Both saline and silicone gel breast implants are FDA-approved. Until only recently, silicone implants were banned. However, in November of 2006 the FDA declared silicone implants to be safe and effective. If you would like to know more about breast augmentation with implants, contact our offices and arrange a consultation with Dr. Kjar.

No. The silicone shell does wear out with time. Implants do require replacement every 12 to 15 years. It is a bit like a tire requiring a change after a certain amount of miles. If you decide to have implants removed permanently, this can be accomplished but will require additional surgery to tighten the skin and breast tissue which have stretched to accomodate the implants.

The Spectrum breast implants are available from Mentor (see ebreastaug.com's General Information section). These implants are manufactured in both smooth and textured. They have a small removable "port" which is left in the patient at the time of the surgery. This valve in easy to remove up to 6 months after the breast augmentation. The implant can be either made larger or smaller while this valve is still in place.

The safety of both saline and silicone gel breast implants has been debated and studied since implants were introduced in the United States in 1962. Since then, several major studies have largely exonerated silicone gel implants as a cause of health problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved implants filled with both silicone gel and saline for breast augmentation and breast reconstruction.

Anything is possible, but in general, the answer to this question is no. In fact, breast implant manufacturers such as Mentor and McGhan state that implants are not considered lifetime devices. The chances of having at least one more surgery in your lifetime are pretty high. However, there are women who have had implants for 20+ years, and have never had a problem. The average life expectancy of a breast implant is 16 years, according to the IOM (Institute of Medicine).

Yes. The manufacturer that Dr. Cambeiro uses will give you two new implants for life should they ever rupture. If your implants rupture within ten years they will give you two new implants and a small monetary stipend to help defray the additional medical costs for replacement. Please refer to the manufacture for exact details as the warranty and details may change from time to time.

You can still have a mammogram when you have breast implants. If you have had a total hysterectomy, you will not need a Pap smear.

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