Breast Augmentation With Implants for Land O’Lakes Women – How to Maintain Your Results
For women who have breast augmentation with implants, Land O’Lakes breast surgeon Dr. John Roach of the Bayside Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery offers the following guidance on how to maintain the results of your surgery.
First, Dr. Roach emphasizes the importance of following your doctor’s instructions with regard to regular examinations, mammograms, and MRIs. Sometimes, as a result of physical trauma or the aging of the device, a breast implant can break. And, depending upon the type of implant, the damage may not be readily apparent without a screening test.
With saline breast implants, women will usually notice a problem away. The reason is that saline implants will collapse as the salt water quickly leaks from the shell, and the breast will appear to shrink and deflate, much like a balloon losing air. The escaped salt water is absorbed by the body and typically does not pose a serious health threat, unless there was fungus, mold, or bacteria inside the implant, which can cause an infection. Therefore, a woman with a collapsed saline implant should see her doctor immediately to find out if she needs antibiotics.
On the other hand, a silicone breast implant rupture is more difficult to detect. When the shell breaks, the silicone gel usually remains within the capsule of scar tissue that naturally forms around the implant in the breast, and thus the breast shape and size may not noticeably change. If your doctor used silicone to perform your breast augmentation with implants, Land O’Lakes has several nearby clinics where you can have regular MRI scans at the frequency recommended by your doctor. This is the best way to evaluate the integrity of silicone breast implants and detect a “silent” rupture. A ruptured silicone implant should be removed as soon as possible to minimize the possibility of the silicone migrating to other parts of the body.
Gummy bear implants are an increasingly popular option for breast augmentation with implants. Land O’Lakes women who have this type of cohesive gel implant also are advised to have regular breast examinations and mammograms. Because gummy bear implants are firm and solid, and thus retain their shape, a rupture, though rare, is difficult to detect.
In addition to regular examinations and screenings, Dr. Roach provides the following tips for maintaining the results of your breast implant surgery:
- Ask your surgeon to show you how to self-examine your breasts, and do so at least monthly to become familiar with your breasts and help detect changes or problems.
- Always wear a supportive bra.
- Moisturize your chest to keep the skin supple.
- Massage your breasts to increase circulation to the area.
- Try to sleep on your side to lessen the pressure on your chest.
If you have questions about breast augmentation with implants, Land O’Lakes breast surgeon Dr. Roach has the knowledge and expertise to help. Contact the Bayside Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to schedule a consultation.