Breast implants why

I have had a few people who have had this surgery and I understand that getting implants is an important step in their transition. Also, of the 20, breast implants performed in Australia every year, about 30 per cent are reconstructions following mastectomies to treat breast cancer. But women who have had mastectomies may also have their breasts reconstructed using their own tissue instead of implants — so they don't face all the associated risks.

Professor Anand Deva holds an implant. In regards to whether there is a safe implant, he says no medical device is devoid of risk, and eventually they will all fail. Photo credit: Michael Amendolia.

People often ask — is there a safe implant? Well no medical device is devoid of risk and eventually they will all fail. You can definitely make breast implants safer — by focusing on proper clinical assessment, the highest standards of clinical certification and technique and ensuring all women with implants are offered lifelong follow up. In addition, the health safety and standards of treatment should never be compromised by commercial drivers.

Women should always give informed, educated consent and not be placed under any time pressure to make a decision to proceed with elective cosmetic surgery. As surgeons, we need to be surgeons first and not salespeople. If a silicone-filled implant leaks, the gel will either stay in the shell or escape into the breast implant pocket. A leaking silicone-filled implant may or may not collapse. Patients choosing this type of implant should carry out more regular checks with their doctor compared with those on saline solution implants.

An MRI or ultrasound scan can check the condition of the implants. Alternative composite implants may be filled with polypropylene string, soy oil, or some other material. Breast augmentation is a type of surgery, so patients need to think carefully before opting for the procedure. Before surgery, the surgeon should help the patient choose the size of the implant needed.

This may be done by putting different sized implants into a bra, to see how they feel. A general anesthetic is normally used, so that the patient is asleep during surgery.

Sometimes local anesthetic is used, and the patient is awake. A submuscular placement goes under the pectoral muscle. Recovery may take longer, and there may be more pain after the operation.

A submammary, or subglandular, placement goes behind the breast tissue, over the pectoral muscle. The surgeon closes the incisions with layered sutures, or stitches, in the breast tissue. Stitches, skin adhesives, and surgical tape close the skin and keep it closed. Surgery will leave some swelling, but this should resolve within two of weeks. The incision lines will also fade.

After this, the patient will be able to decide whether the procedure met her expectations. After a general anesthesia, the patient will not be able to drive.

They should arrange for a friend to take them home. If the patient has sutures that do not dissolve, or if drainage tubes are placed near the breasts, a follow-up appointment will be necessary to remove them. The doctor may advise about some post-operative exercises, such as flexing and moving the arms, to relieve pain and discomfort, and also what type of bra to wear. Among patients who undergo breast reconstruction, 46 percent of women with silicone gel implants and 21 percent of those with saline implants had at least one additional operation within 3 years.

Eight percent of women with saline implants and 25 percent of those with silicone implants had surgery to remove the devices. Your surgeon should be able to tell you more about these problems, including how likely they are and how they'll be corrected if you have them. You should be aware of an association between breast implants and an uncommon type of immune system cell cancer.

Some women have also reported having other symptoms after breast implant surgery, such as tiredness, anxiety and joint pain.

This is sometimes known as breast implant illness. UK has more information about symptoms sometimes referred to as breast implant illness. A type of breast implant, called PIP Poly Implant Prostheses implants, were banned in the UK in after it was found they contained unapproved silicone gel and were more likely to split rupture than other types of implant. This means you need to be aware of how your breasts look and feel and report any changes quickly to your GP.

Read more about how to check your breasts. You should also still have regular breast cancer screening mammogram after having breast implants. Mammograms are safe and do not cause the implant to rupture. Tell the person doing your mammogram if you have breast implants. X-rays cannot pass through implants, so they may need to do the mammogram a different way to allow as much breast tissue as possible to be seen.

Contact the clinic where you had the operation as soon as possible if you have unexpected pain or symptoms such as a burning sensation, red skin, or unusual swelling in or around your breast.

You can report problems with your breast implants through the government's Yellow Card Scheme. By reporting any issues, you're helping provide more information about the safety of the implants.

If you're not happy with the results or think the procedure was not carried out properly, speak to your surgeon at the hospital or clinic where you were treated. If necessary, you can make a complaint about a doctor to the General Medical Council GMC , who regulate doctors' practice. The Royal College of Surgeons also has more information and advice about what to do if things go wrong. Page last reviewed: 22 July Next review due: 22 July Breast enlargement implants. Breast enlargement is often known as a "boob job" or breast augmentation.

You cannot usually get breast enlargement on the NHS You'll usually have to pay to have breast implants. You'll also have to pay for any follow-up surgery you may need in the future.

What to think about before you have a breast enlargement Before you go ahead, be sure about why you want breast implants.

Choosing a surgeon If you're having breast enlargement in England, check the Care Quality Commission CQC to see if the hospital or clinic is registered with them. Always book an appointment to meet the surgeon before the procedure.