Nowadays, thanks to the FDA’s approval of silicone gel implants, the once only-approved implant for breast augmentation, saline breast implants, is quickly falling out of favor.

The most performed type of cosmetic surgery in the world is breast augmentation surgery. During this type of procedure, a plastic surgeon will insert breast implants under or over a woman’s chest muscle to increase her overall breast size and shape. Depending on the woman’s personal preference and what her surgeon recommends, she can choose smaller breast implants or gigantic breast implants, or any size in between. Another choice she will have to make is whether she wants saline breast implants or silicone gel implants.

Breast augmentation surgery has been around for a long, long time. The modern attempts to increase a woman’s breast size began in the 1960′s. The first material to be used was a silicone gel that was injected straight into the woman’s breast. This type of breast augmentation resulted in disaster after disaster, and was the catalyst for the ongoing debate about whether breast augmentation surgery and (specifically) silicone gel was truly safe for women.

Silicone gel faced severe scrutiny over the years. Due to some of the more legitimate concerns, such as the safety of silicone gel leaking into a woman’s body, the saline breast implant was designed and produced.

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Once you have made the decision to get breast implants but before you look at available options for breast implant financing, do the research and find out all the information about breast implants themselves.

Breast implants otherwise known as breast augmentation or augmentation mammaplasty in plastic surgery. There are many reasons that women seek this kind of surgery including improving the balance between hip to chest difference, improving self esteem and self image which gives in an increase in confidence, restoring breast volume decrease after a big weight loss or after pregnancy, or as an after mastectomy option, Whatever the reason, before you seek a plastic surgeon, do the research to find out all you can about this procedure. After you have done all the research, your next step would be to seek out a surgeon and go for your first consultation. If you have done all the research, you will have all the right questions to ask him.

There are currently two types of breast implants available for you to choose from. There are pros and cons to each type of implant. You must ask the surgeon what implant would be best for you and your body. Some surgeons prefer to work with one or the other type of implant and you should ask the surgeon his reasons for his or her preference. A particular type of breast implant may appear and feel attractive on one woman but may not suit you. Two companies which manufacture breast implants include Allergan and Mentor.

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Breast implants have long been popular among women who want a larger breast size and improved breast shape. Even though hundreds of thousands of American women choose the procedure each year, there are still many misconceptions regarding breast implants. As a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, I believe that every woman thinking about breast augmentation should know the facts about breast implants. Below are five common myths associated with the procedure, along with the facts behind these fictions.

Myth: Breast implants last forever

While breast implants can last for a long time, they are not lifetime devices. There is no specific “expiration date” when implants will need to be taken out and replaced, but implants that have ruptured or that are causing physical discomfort (for instance, if capsular contracture has occurred) should be removed and replaced immediately. The bottom line is that, in general, breast implants will last many years, but I inform my patients in Los Angeles considering breast implants that they should be prepared to replace one or both implants at some point in the future if necessary.

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