Common Questions About Breast Implants
What is a saline-filled breast implant?
A breast implant is a sac (implant shell) with the outer shell made of silicone elastomer (rubber). The implant is surgically implanted under the breast tissues and then filled with sterile saline (a salt-water solution) through a valve.
What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure done to increase or decrease the size and proportions of a woman’s breasts.
What size breast implant should be used?
The McGhan Medical BioDimensional Planning System is used with the Style 468, Style 363, and Style 163 BioCurve Shaped Breast Implants to help provide more consistent and predictable results. With this unique planning system, you Dr. Rai can consider important dimensions like breast width, height, and lateral protrusion to establish the ideal implant size and shape to complement your figure. Breast width is significant because it figures prominently in both cleavage and lateral (sideways from the body) protrusion.
Your surgeon will also evaluate your existing tissue to determine if you have enough to cover the breast implant. If you desire a breast implant size too large for your tissue, Dr. Rai may warn you that breast implant edges may be apparent or visible post-operatively. You may even risk surgical complications. Also, excessively large breast implants may not maintain as youthful an appearance over time.
Where is the incision made?
There are three locations that are commonly used to insert the breast implant. The inframammary fold incision is made where the lower portion of the breast meets the chest wall. The periareolar incision is made where the darker tissue around the nipple meets the skin. And the transaxillary incision is made in the armpit. This last incision site usually involves Dr. Rai using an endoscope (a small telescope with a video camera) to help with the surgery. Augmentation with all of these incisions can be done in a manner that leaves a minimal scar after healing is complete.
How long does the surgery take?
Breast augmentation surgery times vary due to the surgeon’s technique, the location of the incision, and the placement location of the implant. Typically, surgery takes from one to two hours.
Are breast implants available in different shapes?
The most commonly used breast implant has a round shape. The round breast implant will enhance breast size and may produce a more rounded appearance to the upper breast.
Shaped breast implants are designed to reflect the slope of the breast. With its upper area gently sloping downward and outward, the shaped breast implant is more likely to shape the upper part of your breast with a gentle slope.
Why do some breast implants have a textured surface?
Breast implant shells with a textured surface were designed to reduce the chance of capsular contracture (a hardening of the breast). The BIOCELLĀ® large-pore surface texture, found only in McGhan Medical breast implants, may help hold the breast implant in place.
What are the possible complications?
With breast implant surgery, there are possible complications from the surgery and from the implant.
Undergoing any surgical procedure may involve the risk of complications such as the effects of anesthesia, infection, swelling, redness, bleeding, and pain.
Possible complications specific to breast implants include deflation or rupture, capsular contracture (a hardening of the breast tissue if it compresses the breast implant), formation of calcium deposits, hematoma (a collection of blood), seroma (a collection of fluid), and changes in breast and nipple sensation. Some other possible complications are related to dissatisfaction with cosmetic results, such as wrinkling, asymmetry, implant displacement, incorrect size or shape, implant palpability, scar deformity, or sloshing.
To learn more about breast implant surgery in Dallas and the surrounding areas of Texas, please contact cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Vasdev Rai, today to schedule your initial consultation.
Dr. Vasdev Rai
Dr. Vasdev Rai has performed more than 25,000 cosmetic surgeries over his more than 30 years in practice as a Dallas plastic surgeon. He is a board-certified plastic surgeon who was first certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in 1983. Learn More...
Dr. Surjit Rai
Dr. Surjit Rai was born and raised in Plano, Texas. Being the son of a plastic surgeon, Dr. Rai had the unique opportunity to see first-hand the impact a plastic surgeon can have. He knew at a young age that he would dedicate his life and academic career towards the goal of becoming a plastic surgeon. Learn More...