Breast augmentation has come an exceptionally long way in the last thirty years, and so have the myths surrounding the procedure. Before you see a plastic surgeon about your breast augmentation needs, you should understand the many misunderstandings about the modern breast augmentation process.
Here’s what you should know.
Myth #1: You Need to Get Breast Implants Replaced Every Decade
Like many myths, this is rooted in some truth. There are reasons why breast implants might need to get changed. An implant can rupture or leak, or it can drift. But this is rare. Since a breast implant is placed in your body, they aren’t going to last forever. They will need to be replaced, but on an as needed basis only. Most people absolutely do not need to get them replaced every decade.
The procedure and materials for breast implants have gone through a number of improvements in recent years, and they are no longer as fragile as they once were. Earlier implants could leak or rupture very easily; you had to be delicate with them and you might have needed to get them replaced on an emergency-basis. This isn’t something that someone has to worry about today!
You can go over different types of implants with your surgeon. Some of them feel different or have different levels of longevity, and it may depend on the size, shape, and feel that you’re interested in.
Myth #2: Breast Implants Are Expensive
Like any elective surgery, there’s a relatively heavy cost associated with breast implants. And you need to ensure that people taking their utmost precautions with your care. Whether it’s an elective surgery or not, you require the same high quality of care that you would get for other surgical procedures. So, it’s true that breast implants can be seen as expensive.
What they aren’t is prohibitively expensive. First, implant surgery cost has been decreasing, because surgeons are finding more effective, efficient ways to conduct surgery, and the materials themselves are getting popular and being produced more.
Second, there are many financing options available for those interested in having this surgery. You don’t need to pay for your entire surgery in advance, and sometimes you don’t even need to pay a down payment. Instead, you can finance the entire procedure and pay in installments.
Myth #3: You Can’t Breastfeed After Breast Augmentation
Today’s breast augmentation doesn’t disrupt the milk ducts. Breast augmentations are placed in a little pocket separate from the rest of the breast, as this creates a more natural look, as well.
So why does this myth persist? The truth is that there are many women who can’t breastfeed to begin with. Breastfeeding is considered to be excellent, but over the past few decades, women have been shamed for not being able to produce enough milk for their children, or not being able to produce milk at all. This has given rise to the perception that breastfeeding is something that “every woman” should be able to do.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Many women experience issues with breastfeeding that they are never discover until they have their first child. Some women will be able to breastfeed their first child, but not subsequent children. And while this has little to do with breast augmentation, breast augmentation can be an easy thing to “blame” by a new mother.
Problems can arise, however, due to surgery. The location and depth of the incision used during surgery can have a deleterious effect on breastfeeding. If your surgeon is able to keep the areola intact, this will increase the chance for future success.
This is due to the fact that the nerves around the nipple play an important role in the breastfeeding process. The feeling of a baby sucking on the breast naturally increases the levels of prolactin and oxytocin hormones. Milk production is triggered by prolactin, while oxytocin triggers the release of the milk. When these nerves are damaged, sensation is reduced and therefore may affect the success of breastfeeding. It is best to consult your surgeon to discuss these risks.
Myth #4: Breast Implants Feel Unnatural
As previously mentioned, breast implants are placed under your existing breast material. Sometimes they are placed over your chest muscle. Sometimes they are placed under your chest muscle. But because your natural breasts are positioned over the implant, the change in the feel of your breasts may actually be quite minimal. This varies, of course, depending on the patient, and the breast size you already have.
Today’s implants have been designed to feel as natural as possible. You can feel them beforehand to see whether you can tell the difference. Many people today really can’t. Breast implants in the past were often hard, or felt unnatural, or were placed incorrectly. That’s why people continue to think that they will feel a difference.
Consider the fact that numerous women today that have breast implants, likely got them twenty years ago. Then you begin to see the problem. People who are in their 40s will typically be the ones most familiar with implants, and will be talking about implants that are two decades old.
Further, the only reason someone will even know that an implant is an implant is if they notice something wrong with it. If an implant is fully natural, like modern implants, they’re far less likely to ever know that an implant existed. Thus, the only implants that are ever talked about are usually the ones that aren’t very good, or that were placed by poor surgeons.
Myth #5: You Can Get the Best Surgery Overseas
Many people today think about getting elective surgery overseas, where the costs are much lower. And while it’s true that the costs are lower, this usually isn’t the best idea. There are a few good reasons why you may want to find a surgeon who is local to you, and whom you trust.
First, as mentioned above, the cost of a breast implant really isn’t that high. Breast implants can be financed fairly easily even if you have poor credit, through medical lines of credit. So while you may need to pay a bit more for a local surgeon, it’s not going to be a lot more.
Second, you may not have any continuity of care if you go overseas. You won’t be able to go back to the original surgeon if you have problems. Problems can occur at random: the receptacle is, after all, the human body.
Third, the money that you pay for breast implant surgery directly affects the quality of the outcome. The quality of implants, techniques, pain management and aftercare are all affected by cost. When you save money on breast implant surgery, you’re often cutting corners in these areas.
Modern breast augmentation is less invasive, more natural, and even more affordable than ever before. If you’ve ever thought of changing the look of your breasts, you should consider visiting a plastic surgeon for a consultation. You’ll be able to learn more about the process and the procedure, and view the results of real patients.