Trends in Breast Augmentation

By Roger L. Greenberg, MD

Published on August 01, 2006

Ever wonder who's actually having plastic surgery? Look in the mirror, because it's not just celebrities and the wealthy that are seeking the services of plastic surgeons. Today's plastic surgery patients include both sexes and all age groups. More and more people are turning to plastic surgery to look their best and slow the effects of time. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 2.2 million plastic surgery procedures were performed by board certified plastic surgeons in 1999, and cosmetic surgery procedures increased by 17%. One of the most common of these is breast augmentation, which has increased by 413% since 1992.

Saline and Silicone

With multiple scientific studies now confirming the safety of saline filled breast implants, more women are considering breast implants than ever. Saline breast implants have been in use for more than 30 years. For the majority of those years, however, silicone filled breast implants were the most commonly used. When the FDA placed restrictions on the use of silicone filled implants in 1992, saline implants became the only widely available choice for breast augmentation. The Food and Drug Administration gave formal approval of saline breast implants in the spring of 2000. Since then, surgeons have adopted the safest and most effective techniques for surgical placement of saline implants and have found that patient satisfaction for these implants is extremely high.

Your Options

One of the reasons saline filled implants are so popular is because they are filled with sterile solution after insertion and thus placement of the implant requires only a small, relatively inconspicuous incision. The incision is usually made underneath the breast or around the lower edge of the pigmented area surrounding the nipple, or within the armpit. The choice of incision is based on the patient's individual physical factors, personal preferences, and the surgeon's recommendation. There is a small potential for risks, including infection, hematoma, and deflation of the implant…these should be discussed in detail with your surgeon.

After the Surgery

After surgery, it's often possible to return to work within one week. Following breast augmentation, patients often say it is easier to find clothing that fits them better, and they feel more confident about their appearance both in and out of clothing. A recent study conducted at the University of Minnesota revealed that 96% of women who they surveyed about their satisfaction with saline filled implants said that they would make the same choice again!

Here are some questions to ask your plastic surgeon for your first consultation:

• What are your credentials?
• How long have your been doing breast augmentation and how many have you done?
• Please explain "capsular contracture" and how common is it?
• Can I breast feed after having breast implants?
• What effect will this surgery have on my mammograms?
• What size will I be?
• May I see photos of your work?

Honest communication and a personal rapport with your surgeon will lead to realistic expectations and help you select the right surgeon for you.

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