If you’re considering breast augmentation, you likely have many questions regarding the procedure and the results you can expect. At Plastic Surgery Group at City Centre, we encourage women to research breast augmentation thoroughly, so they can get the information they need to make decisions in regards to their cosmetic care.

Below you will find three important questions to ask during your breast augmentation consultation.

1.What Are My Breast Implant Choices?

Here are a few choices you will need to make in regards to your breast implants:

Type: Breast implants are filled with either silicone gel or a saline saltwater solution. There are advantages and disadvantages of both of these implant types. Many women like silicone implants because they look and feel the most like natural breast tissue. However, other women like the fact that saline implants are placed empty, requiring a smaller incision and thus resulting in less scarring.

Size: The best implant size for you will depend on your anatomy, personal preferences, and the recommendations of your surgeon. Your surgeon will take precise measurements of your bust, hips, and torso to determine which implant size will yield the most attractive results. Selecting a manageable size — one that is not too big for your body frame — is important to avoid the need for revision surgery in the future.

Shape and Texture: Breast implants come in round and teardrop shapes. Round implants have equal fullness on the top and bottom, while teardrop-shaped implants have more projection on the bottom, resembling the slope of natural breasts. Breast implants can have either a smooth shell or a textured shell.

In the past, The Plastic Surgery Group at City Centre offered smooth and textured implants in both round and teardrop shapes. But recent reports that textured breast implants are likely linked to BIA-ALCL (a very rare type of lymphoma that can develop following the placement of breast implants), we currently only offer smooth round implants.

2.Are Breast Implants Safe?

Breast implants are Health Canada and FDA-approved medical devices that are strong, safe and durable. That being said, there is a risk of complications, including infection, poor scarring, capsular contracture, implant leakage and rupture. These risks are drastically reduced when working with a qualified plastic surgeon.

In recent years, reports linking breast implants to health problems have risen. BIA-ALCL is not a cancer of the breast tissue itself but rather a cancer of the cells of the immune system. Patients with BIA-ALCL often develop a seroma (a collection of fluid) around the implant. Reported cases of BIA-ALCL have occurred among women with textured implants. To date, BIA-ALCL has not been directly linked to smooth implants.

In addition, there are some women who believe that their silicone breast implants are linked to a number of health symptoms, including muscle pain and weakness, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, chronic inflammation and vision problems. These symptoms, collectively known as breast implant illness (BII), are not universally accepted by the medical community. Currently there is very little scientific proof that breast implants cause these symptoms and an abundance of medical literature showing that silicone is extremely safe for implantation. In the unlikely event that a patient reacts adversely to silicone, the implants can be safely removed.

Our team will discuss both BIA-ALCL and BII with you during your consultation and will perform a full medical history evaluation to ensure breast augmentation is safe for you.

Will I Have Scarring?

Breast augmentation does leave some scarring. The exact degree and location of scarring will depend on the incision placement used during surgery. Your surgeon should explain your choices in incision techniques in detail with you, including the pros and cons of each. Be sure to ask your surgeon the steps they take to minimize scarring and what you can do after surgery to ensure your scars heal and fade properly.

Ready to take the next step in breast augmentation? Contact our Surrey office today to schedule a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons.