Frequently Asked Questions about Breast Implants

~What is a breast implant?

         A breast implant is a sac (implant shell) of silicone elastomer (rubber), which is surgically implanted under your chest tissues.There are two basic types of breast implants: Saline filled breast implants the saline breast implant is inflated with a saline (salt-water) solution through a valve. Saline is much like the fluid that makes up most of the human body. Silicone gel-filled breast implants – a silicone gel-filled breast implant is filled with silicone gel, a soft-solid substance.

         At the present time, silicone gel-filled breast implants manufactured by Mentor are only available through Mentor’s Adjunct Study. Participation in the study is limited to qualified patients in the U.S. who are having their breast reconstructed following mastectomy. Also eligible for this study are patients with severe congenital deformities, such as pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum, or patients with severe ptosis who underwent mastopexy with associated replacement. Patients requiring revision of saline- or gel-filled implants who are not suitable for revision with saline implants may qualify if they have specific medical justification, as outlined in the clinical protocol, from their physician. If you want to know if you qualify, please ask a physician participating in Mentor’s Adjunct Study to explain to you the requirements for being included in the study.

~What is silicone?

          Silicon is derived form silicon, a semi-metallic or metal-like element that in nature combines with oxygen to form silicon dioxide, or silica. Beach sand, crystal, and quartz are silica. Silica is most common substance on earth. Heating silica with carbon at a high temperature can produce silicon. Further processing can convert the silicon into a long chemical chain, or polymer, called silicone – which can be a liquid, a gel or a rubbery substance. Various silicones are used in lubricants and oils, as well as in silicone rubber. Silicone can be found in many common household items, such as polishes, suntan and hand lotion, antiperspirants, soaps, processed foods, waterproof coatings, and chewing gum.

~Are silicone implants safe?

         Special studies have been done and have determined that much higher levels of silicone have been found in cows’ milk and commercially available infant formula than are found in the breast milk of women with implants. The Institute of Medicine concluded that “there is no evidence that silicone implants are responsible for any major diseases of the whole body. Women are exposed to silicone constantly in their daily lives.” For more information regarding the safety of silicone please refer to the Institute of Medicine Report (IOM) at: www.nap.edu.

~Do implants influence the occurrence of breast cancer?

         No studies have ever shown this to be a concern for humans. There is no evidence that implants cause cancer.

~How do breast implants affect mammography?

         Breast implants may interfere with finding breast cancer during mammography and may make mammography more difficult. It is important that you tell your mammography technologist that you have an implant before the procedure. Special displacement techniques and additional views may be required. Discuss any family history of breast cancer with your doctor.

~Is it possible to get a silicone allergy?

         It is possible for anyone to develop an allergy to almost any substance on earth; however silicone allergies are very rare. We are all exposed to silicone in our environment every day. It is found in many household items, such as polishes, suntan and hand lotion, antiperspirants, soaps, processed foods, waterproof coatings, and chewing gum.

~What is the average life expectancy of an implant?

         Implants are not lifetime devices; therefore it is likely that they may need to be replaced sometime in your life. The time period varies form woman to woman. Some women need replacement surgery in only a few years while others may go 10-20 years. There are several different reasons why a woman might need replacement surgery. Sometimes it is a matter of choice, such as a size change or an implant style change, and sometimes removal and replacement is necessary because of a complication, such as deflation, or shifting of the implant.

~How long should I wait to resume exercise and other strenuous activities after implant surgery?

         Your doctor will be your best guide regarding how long you will need to remain off work and will advise you when and how to resume activities. Recovery periods vary from woman to woman. Generally the first few days are the most uncomfortable. The average time to return to full activities is four to six weeks. It is important not to sweat into the incision while it is healing. Therefore curtail activity and sun tanning until after the incision is healed and sealed. Don’t over-do activity, especially of the upper body, too early. Let your body rest and heal. You want to minimize swelling around the implant. Going into a Jacuzzi or bath after a month is usually ok. During the early time, one to two weeks following surgery, you don’t want to soak the incision. Be sure you check with your doctor before returning to your workouts. Patients vary greatly in recovery times. Walking is generally recommended to encourage circulation. The larger the implant you receive the heavier the breasts will be. You should wear good support bras while running it minimize pull on the skin and ptosis (dropping) of the breast.

~Can I go to a tanning salon or sunbathe if I have implants?

         Tanning at salons or sun bathing will not hurt the implant but may make the scars worse. You should avoid getting sun or tanning rays on the incision for at least one year after surgery as tanning rays will turn the incisions dark permanently. The implant may feel warm and may take longer to cool down than your body.

~When can I fly and/or scuba dive?

         Many women scuba dive and fly in airplanes with implants. There may be sight expansion and contraction of the shell with changes in pressure. This may result in a small amount of air bubbles in the implants. With gel implants as with saline filled implants you may feel or hear fluid sounds (gurgling). This should correct itself within 24-28 hours.

~When can I wear an under wire bra again?

         Most doctors ask that women wait 3 months before wearing under wire bras after implant surgery. Your body will be forming scar tissue around the implant for 3 months. During this time the pressure of the wires could cause the scar tissue to form in such a way that an indentation for the wires could become permanent. After this initial healing time under wire bras should be worn intermittently to avoid permanent indentation.

~Will my breasts sill move like normal breasts?

         This depends upon multiple factors, such as the type of implant you receive, the pocket dissection, the way your body holds the implant and whether or not there is any degree of capsular contracture. It is possible for many women to have breast implants that are soft and move nicely, while other women have results that are firmer with an implant more fixed in position.

~Will getting implants cause stretch marks on my breasts?

         Insertion of implants can cause stretch marks but rarely does. If you are concerned, go for a smaller size implant to minimize the stretching of the skin, or choose a Spectrum adjustable implant to slowly stretch the skin over time.

~What effect does smoking have on the healing process after surgery?

         Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict, reducing the blood supply and the oxygen carried by the blood to the surgical area. The tissues need this blood supply and the oxygen that the blood carries in order to heal. When the blood supply is reduced the tissues heal more slowly. Different doctors have different time frames for patients to refrain from smoking before and after surgery. We hear anything from five weeks prior and after, to one to two weeks prior and after. Ask your doctor how long he/she would like you to stop smoking before and after your surgery.

~Will I lose nipple sensation?

         There can be changes in nipple sensation after implant surgery. Feeling in the nipple and breast can increase or decrease. The range of change varies from no feeling to intense feeling and can be temporary or permanent.

~Should I be at my ideal weight before I have a breast implant procedure?

         You should be close to your ideal weight. A significant loss of weight after receiving breast implants could alter the results in a manner that is not satisfactory to you. There could be some ptosis (dropping) and a reduction of size. A significant gain in weight could cause and increase in breast size.

~I’m over 50 years old. Am I too old to get breast implants?

         General good health is important, not age.

~What will happen during pregnancy?

         Every woman is an individual and therefore has different results whether before a pregnancy or after. Your breasts will enlarge and will go through all the usual changes associated with pregnancy. The amount of enlargement will vary form woman to woman and the size of the implants will factor into this as well.

~Can I still breast feed?

         Many women with breast implants have successfully breast fed their babies. Current studies indicated that women with breast implants, either gel or saline, do not have any higher levels of silicone in their milk than women without breast implants. Breast implants can, however, interfere with the ability of some women to breast-feed. The Peri-areola incision site is more likely to affect this ability. Some women experience mastitis, inflammation in the breast ducts, during this time, which can also cause capsula contracture. Taking antibiotics when symptoms first appear may minimize the potential for this problem. You should always report signs of inflammation to your physician.