BREAST IMPLANTS

Breast implants, also known as boob implants, are medical devices used to change the size, shape, and contour of a woman’s breast. In reconstructive plastic surgery, breast implants can be placed to restore a natural looking breast mound for a post–breast operation (mastectomy) or to correct congenital defects and deformities of the chest wall.

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Breast implants

Breast implants are implanted under the breast tissue or under the chest muscle to increase breast size (breast augmentation) or to rebuild breast tissue after mastectomy or other damage to the breast (breast reconstruction).

They are also used in revision surgeries, which correct or improve the result of an original breast operation.

Who is it for?

There is no “typical” breast implant candidate since women choose to have the procedure for many different reasons – having larger breasts is just one of them. A mammoplasty procedure for the placement of breast implant devices has these three basic purposes:

Primary reconstruction: the replacement of breast tissues damaged by trauma disease and failed anatomic development
Revision and reconstruction: to correct the outcome of a previous breast reconstruction surgery
Primary augmentation: to aesthetically enlarge the size, form, and feel of the breasts.

Other common goals of this procedure include correcting noticeable breast asymmetry, restoring breast fullness loss after pregnancy and breastfeeding, adding balance to better complement curvy hips and enhancing bodily self-image.

What you should know about breast implants

There are two basic types of breast implants that are in use today: saline-filled and silicone gel-filled (both saline and silicone implants have a silicone outer shell). They vary in size, shell thickness, shell surface texture, and shape (contour).

Saline breast implants contain a silicone outer shell filled with a sterile saltwater (saline) solution. Some are pre-filled and others are filled during the implant operation. Silicone breast implants have a silicone outer shell that is filled with silicone gel. Both kinds come in different sizes and have either smooth or textured shells. They are also used in revision surgeries, which correct or improve the result of an original surgery.

Breast implants are not designed to last a lifetime. The longer a woman has implants, the more likely it is that she will need to have surgery to remove or replace them. Women with silicone implants will need to get an MRI scan three years after the implant surgery and then MRI scans about every two years to check for silent rupture.

Having breast implants can make it more difficult to get a mammogram, but special X-ray views can be done. Breast implants also may make it harder for you to breastfeed. Other risks include capsular contracture (when scar tissue around the implant hardens and begins to squeeze the implant), loss of feeling in the nipples or breast, changes in the implant (hardening, changing shape or position).

Breast plastic surgery procedure

Breast implant surgery can be performed in a hospital, surgery center or doctor’s office. Patients may have to stay overnight in the hospital (inpatient surgery) or may be able to go home afterwards (outpatient surgery). If the surgery is done in a hospital, the length of the hospital stay will vary based on the type of surgery, the development of any complications after surgery and your general health.

The procedure can be done under local or under general anesthesia. When it has taken effect, the surgeon will make an incision (cut) in one of the following areas: along the underside of the breast (inframammary, the most common location), under your arm (transaxillary), around the nipple (periareolar) or through the mastectomy scar (for reconstruction procedure). The type of the incision can affect how visible the scars are, as well as any complications you may experience after surgery. The surgeon will then place the implant above (subglandular) or below (submuscular) the chest wall muscles and close the incision with stitches.

Breast implant surgery can last from one to several hours depending on the procedure and personal circumstances.

Recovery and expectations after breast implants

Your surgeon will describe the usual after surgery (postoperative) recovery process, the possible complications that may occur, and the recovery period. You can expect to walk around on your own a few hours after surgery, and most patients feel up to leaving the house within the next day or two. You may feel sore the first week or so, and you will need to limit strenuous exercise for about 2-4 weeks.

Once you have your breast implants, you should know that it is recommended for you to undergo periodic monitoring (via x-ray, ultrasound or MRI) to screen for ruptures. Future pregnancies or significant weight fluctuations may affect your results, and sometimes a seconda surgery is needed to correct any changes. You can help prevent unnecessary changes and sagging due to a normal aging process by wearing a bra with adequate support for your activity level.

You can continue to get mammograms to screen for breast cancer, but be sure to tell the person giving your mammogram that you have breast implants.

Breast implants cost (price)

Prices for breast augmentation can vary widely. Factors that contribute to the cost of breast augmentation surgery include the breast implant cost, place where you live, surgery-related expenses (anesthesia, medications, post-surgery garments), surgeon’s fees. When considering cost as it relates to silicone versus saline breast implants, a key component to think about is the look and feel you are trying to achieve: in general, saline breast implants are more affordable, but they are slightly firmer to the touch, while silicone implants are more expensive, but they retain the natural give that resembles breast tissue.

Plastic surgeon prof. Dr Milan Jovanovic

Prof. Dr Milan Jovanovic is a specialist in plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. As a surgeon with 27 years of surgical experience, Dr Jovanovic is one of the best experts in anti-ageing, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery in the region.

He is a professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, where he teaches general education to students of the fifth year, as well as at the postgraduate education for doctors who specialize in the field of plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. He is the Head of the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade.

About the Surgeon

Hospital for plastic and aesthetic surgery

Health institution General Hospital – Medical System Belgrade – MSB is a system which combines all medical and dental specialties.

Exceptional and complete services in the fields of anti-ageing, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery are provided by the Center for Aesthetic Surgery MSB (Medical System Belgrade). Along with the necessary safety, quality, comfort and discretion, our main goal is – a satisfied patient.