Even before the initial consultation with a plastic surgeon and fitting of sizers, patients are puzzled by the question: “What you need to know when choosing breast implants”?
We talked with Dr. Oleg Leonidovich Nesteruk to find out the answers to the most important questions, as well as everything about prostheses that are used for aesthetic correction or reconstruction of the mammary glands.
It is no coincidence that endoprosthetics is one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the world. Breast augmentation with implants or a lift using them allows you to obtain the desired volume of the mammary glands and recreate a beautiful and natural shape.
Modern possibilities of aesthetic medicine, the dynamic development of the industry and strict quality control have created all the conditions so that today doctors can say: “Breast plastic surgery has become safe, affordable and allows you to achieve a perfect result, which many women could only dream of 30 years ago!”
According to statistics from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ( ISAPS
), augmentation mammoplasty is one of the TOP 10 most common plastic surgeries, and it is especially popular in the
USA, Western Europe, Brazil, Mexico, and Russia.
Are breast implants safe?
Before going on sale, implants from different manufacturers are tested and undergo strict quality control. In our clinic, for breast augmentation operations, breast prostheses are used from reliable manufacturers that have successfully proven themselves in the foreign plastic surgery market: Mentor, Allergan, Motiva, Polytech
.
Such implants show the smallest number of ruptures (no more than 1% - 2%), and are less likely to cause rejection by the body or other complications. Each model is marked SSED
, which allows you to find out the main characteristics of the implant and composition.
To date, the F.D.A.
Two types of prostheses are approved: filled with saline solution (saline solution) and silicone gel. At the same time, preference is still given to the latter, since implants made of cohesive silicone gel are highly durable, better maintain their beautiful shape, and do not cause discomfort to women. The consistency of the filler of such breast prostheses resembles marmalade or jelly. Even in the event of damage or rupture of such prostheses, migration of silicone gel into the body tissue is excluded. The shell and filler material is non-toxic and does not affect the quality of breast milk when feeding a small child.
Silicone, from which implants for breast replacement are made, practically does not cause allergies. ISAPS statistics
, an individual tendency to allergic reactions to such silicone is observed only in 1-2% of women. It is detected during mandatory preoperative examination. Silicone surrounds us in everyday life: it is added to cosmetics, shampoos and dishwashing detergents, and pacifiers for babies are made from it.
There are high demands on the material from which breast prostheses are made. This is not the silicone that is used in cosmetology (breast augmentation with such fillers is prohibited) and, of course, this is not silicone for industrial use. Thus, modern silicone cohesive gel implants are safe.
Question answer
This displacement may be caused by the pocket disintegrating and stretching over time.
This can be corrected by capsulorchaphy or internal suturing of the pocket that contains the implant. But this situation will not harm you if you leave everything as it is. To make sure of this, go to the doctor for an examination. Advantages of saline solution: less, adjustable, shorter scar, can be used in women under 22 years of age. Benefits of silicone: More natural feel, less risk. Typically, silicone implants are ideal for very thin patients with small breasts.
If you had volume asymmetry before surgery and the same size implants were used, you will still have volume asymmetry. This won't change over time. But it's best to talk to your operating surgeon and get answers.
Types of implants for breast enlargement
So what are they? According to form
differ:
Round implants
Implants of this shape allow you to achieve a light and seductive push-up effect, as well as filling the upper pole of the mammary glands. The breasts look natural: they are soft to the touch and do not remain round when standing or lying down, but change shape under the influence of gravitational forces.
Endoprosthetics of the mammary glands was performed with 345 ml round implants. The work of plastic surgeon Oleg Leonidovich Nesteruk.
Anatomical implants
They are also called “teardrop” because they follow the smooth slope of the mammary glands with an unfilled upper pole. It is believed that compared to round implants, this shape looks more natural. However, this is not quite true. Implants are selected individually, based on the original shape of the breast, its volume, as well as other anatomical features.
In addition to shape, there are other key characteristics to know when choosing breast implants. Taking these parameters into account, you can achieve a beautiful and natural result with implants of both anatomical and round shapes.
Breast replacement with anatomical implants was performed. The work of plastic surgeon Amit Rajendrovich Khatri.
Implant profile
This is its height, which de facto determines how “protruding” the breasts will be. There are 5 types of implant profiles: ultra-low, low, medium, high, ultra-high. Low-profile prostheses are the flattest, so they are installed rarely and, as a rule, for the purpose of correcting ptosis during a breast lift.
Implant volume
Determined by the physical volume of its filler in ml, cm or mcg. The choice, on the one hand, depends on the patient’s wishes regarding the size of the future breast, and on the other hand, on the initial size of the mammary glands, the type of chest and other individual anatomical features.
Implant surface texture
This is also one of the important parameters to be aware of. The surface texture of implants can be smooth, or it can be textured, that is, porous and rough to the touch. Most plastic surgeons prefer the second type of prosthesis because they reduce the risk of contracture and their position is better fixed in the capsule.
Read more about the types of implants for breast enlargement
Implant installation method (access)
The type of access may also influence your choice. For example, if the areolas are small in diameter, then it will not be possible to install large implants using periareolar access. Surgery with submammary access involves fewer restrictions when choosing implants.
Read more about types of access for augmentation mammoplasty
Surface: smooth or textured?
One of the criteria for successful breast augmentation is achieving results that are stable in the long term. From this point of view, it is extremely important to minimize the risk of long-term aesthetic complications in the form of defects in the form of “waves” or “ripples” appearing on the skin of the breast. A more severe complication is fibrocapsular contracture, which can lead to severe bust deformation requiring revision mammoplasty.
The listed “side effects” are a direct consequence of the body’s protective reaction in the form of the formation of a fibrous membrane around a foreign body (which is any prosthesis). In general, this shell performs a useful function - it stabilizes breast implants and prevents them from moving or rotating. Problems begin with excessive development of fibrosis, which leads to compression and deformation of the endoprosthesis.
The smooth surface of the endoprosthesis promotes the formation of a dense fibrous capsule, which increases the risk of fibrocapsular contracture. In this regard, manufacturers have developed and introduced a new type of shell - with a textured surface. The porous texture promotes the formation of a “useful” capsule that secures the endoprosthesis and minimizes the risk of capsular contracture.
Third-generation breast implants are equipped with another intermediate shell - an elastomeric layer, which acts as an additional barrier that prevents the silicone gel from sweating. The barrier layer increases the durability of the prosthesis and guarantees the stability of its volume and shape throughout the entire period of use. Today, many manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty, including in warranty cases not only rupture and damage to the implant, but also fibrocapsular contracture.
Do breast implants need to be replaced?
Yes, most likely replacement of implants will be required in the future, and we do not hide this from our patients. Implants themselves do not have an expiration date. Most leading manufacturers of breast implants, such as Allergan, Motiva, Polytech, provide a lifetime warranty on them. However, a woman's breasts change shape over time. Due to natural fibro-fatty involution, the skin loses its elasticity, and the number of glandular lobules decreases. With age or after breastfeeding, ptosis may appear, and then repeated correction will be required. Replacement of breast prostheses within 20-30 years is also recommended by the FDA to avoid complications.
We've covered everything you need to know when choosing breast implants: their types and the main issues related to breast replacement. Let us note once again that you can select the model of implants only at a face-to-face consultation with a plastic surgeon. To achieve the desired aesthetic result, the doctor must evaluate and compare many factors: the initial volume of the mammary glands, chest size, body proportions, the desired result, medical history. The plastic surgeon is always on the patient’s side and is interested in an impeccable result.
QiD chip inside the implant
Ergonomix MOTIVA Implant Matrix® breast implants use the innovative Q Inside Safety Technology™ system. It is the first technology in the world to undergo strict verification by the FDA, the federal agency for control over the quality and safety of food and drugs in the United States.
Q Inside Safety Technology™ Features
The technology consists of a biocompatible micro-transponder (chip) operating in the radio frequency range. The device is placed directly inside the implant, which is inserted into the human body. The chip is not an active device that continuously transmits a radio signal. Its main task is to store data about the implant: serial number, batch number, technical information about the sterilization and production processes.
Using the sensor, a medical specialist can read all the data he needs about the implant, even if the documents are lost.
How it worksQ InsideSafetyTechnology™
The chip installed in the implant is programmed with a unique 15-digit digital code that provides the medical professional with access through a connection to a portable reading device. Communication is carried out by pointing the scanner at the chest. The resulting code is checked in a secure online database via Internet connection. Only an authorized person has access to the database.
Q InsideSafetyTechnology™
Benefits of technology
The use of innovative technology allows doctors and patients to obtain reliable data about the breast implant using a non-invasive method. Previously, this was only done using invasive techniques.
A significant advantage of a chip over warranty cards provided to the patient after surgery is that it cannot be lost. The technology also makes incorrect installation of the sensor impossible.
Having the opportunity to contact a specialist at any time and check the breast implant data (brand, model, size, volume, authenticity) frees the patient from any fears regarding the quality and safety of the installed product.
Advantages of breast augmentation (endoprosthetics) at the clinic named after. N.I. Pirogov
Our plastic surgery department is among the TOP best among private clinics in St. Petersburg, which has been repeatedly confirmed by ratings from independent experts and reviews from patients themselves. We have been working since 1999
, and during this time they have successfully performed
over 10,000 reconstructive and aesthetic operations
. Breast augmentation, lifting, reduction mammoplasty, lipofilling, correction of tubular breasts and asymmetry - all types of operations to correct the mammary glands by plastic surgeons at the clinic named after. N.I. Pirogov were worked out at the highest level. On our website you can view doctors’ portfolios, as well as study reviews to evaluate our work.
We offer our patients:
- Services of leading plastic surgeons in St. Petersburg. For example, the head of the department, Maria Aleksandrovna Volokh, was awarded the Order for Services to National Healthcare and is a laureate of the prestigious “Crystal Lotus” beauty industry award.
- Implants from trusted brands with a good reputation: Allergan, Motiva, Mentor, Polytech.
- Medical offices equipped with new generation equipment modeled on the best foreign plastic surgery clinics.
- Our own laboratory, which allows you to quickly receive accurate diagnostic results (and even by email).
- High comfort and luxury rooms; 24-hour supervision by a doctor and nurses on duty.
- Special offers (all inclusive) for mammoplasty at affordable prices, free consultations with plastic surgeons for primary patients.
- Favorable installment plans for plastic surgery.
- The ability to consult with our doctors remotely using the Online Clinic service.
- Organizational assistance from a supervisor for out-of-town patients.
