Saline Vs Silicone
Yup, it's not as straightforward as we thought. Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater after a silicone membrane has been implanted above or underneath the pectoral muscle. Complete silicone implants, on the other hand, have been modelled and engineered to closely resemble human fat. Off the bat, 25% of patients of who have gone under the knife will return to surgery within the first decade of their initial procedure. Whether you choose saline or silicone, the reality is that these implants age and would need to be replaced somewhere along the line.
Concerns & Recovery
Without going into too much detail, the most common complications could spill into deflation, implant rupture, the formation of scar tissue around the implant (known as capsular contracture), which may cause the breast to feel tight or hard, bleeding and infection. Other risks are an increase or decrease in sensitivity of the nipples or breast skin, which occasionally may be permanent. You should be up and running within three days or so but should avoid any physical contact with your breasts (bras should be fine to wear again) for approximately three to four weeks.
Scars should fade and flatten anywhere from three months to two years after surgery; this depends on how the individual patient heals. These scars should be treated like any major scar — your surgeon will advise you how to take care of yourself while you're healing. Important to note is that breast augmentation will complicate mammograms. Despite claims that thermography and ultrasounds are acceptable alternatives to mammograms, neither has been proven to be as good as mammography for routine breast cancer screenings.
A more common problem, bordering on botched surgery, is the double-bubble effect. This occurs when the implant sinks lower than the infra-mammary fold (the point at which the lower part of the breast meets the chest wall). This condition occurs more commonly with implants placed behind the pectoral muscles of the chest (sub-pectoral) than those placed behind the mammary glands.
Cost
How long is a piece of string? Costs are determined by the size, the surgeon, and the situation… but the ballpark figure is around R40 000. The best would be to contact
The Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons of Southern Africa.
But Why?
Steering clear of all ethical debates, above and beyond cosmetic choice, there are a handful of reasons to consider:
- Post breast cancer reconstructive surgery
- Enlarge breasts that are naturally small
- Restore breast size and shape after pregnancy, weight loss or breastfeeding
- Restore symmetry when the breasts are asymmetrical
Disclaimer: The author hereof, as well as Velocity Media, cannot be held responsible for any actions following the reading of this article. This article does not claim complete accuracy and is an effort of journalistic research and should be viewed for entertainment purposes.
