Having breast implants is almost commonplace these days. More and more health care providers are offering this procedure at less and less cost (although still several thousand dollars in most cases). Technology behind these implants is also becoming safer which makes it a very attractive option for many women. Regardless of what your reasons may be for wanting to undergo breast augmentation, here are a couple of things that you really ought to know first. 1. Not all women (and in some cases, men too) can have such a procedure done. Any qualified doctor will certainly ask you to undergo a screening process to ascertain why you want the procedure, if you have any underlying medical conditions that may get in the way of the operation, and if you are currently under medications that may affect your recuperation after the procedure. In some cases, the doctor might even ask that you undergo a complete checkup, or at least have one session with the MRI or the mammogram to guarantee that the operation will go smoothly. It is also during the screening stage that the health care provider advises you on the possible risks in regards to breast implants, and what measure they ought to take (or not take) should something go wrong. The doctor will also educate you as to how you can keep your implants intact for the longest possible time. Augmentation mammoplasty (the medical term for breast implants) isn’t approved in all cases. While there are no doubt some doctors that will do the augmentation procedure as long as the patient can pay for it, credible doctors will only proceed if the patient passes the prescreening phase. 2. Also vital to understand is that not all health care providers can do breast implants. In order to keep yourself out of harm’s way, it is essential that you find a qualified plastic surgeon to do the job. It is a bit disheartening to say that there are a few doctors out there who routinely perform this procedure, even if they do not have the experience, knowledge or license to do so. Needless to say, this doesn’t end well in most cases. In order to avoid this scenario, it would be best to approach only clinics with certified personnel -- preferably, with plastic surgeons who have already successfully performed the procedure on a fair number of people. Although truly qualified cosmetic surgeons can ask for a higher fee for the breast implants, you can at least be assured that you will have fewer risks of medical complications down the line.

A lot can be said when it comes to getting gel implants, or to be more specific: cohesive gel breast implants. Sometimes called “gummy bears” implants, these products are about 100% better than previous gel products used in breast augmentation. Aside from the fact that the gels being used today are lighter (in weight and color) and hold their shape better, the gummy bear implants can also be ordered in various shapes and sizes. This gives the plastic surgeon the liberty to choose and match shapes according to what he or she thinks will benefit the person’s physique, and make the breasts or pectorals more natural looking. However, one simply does not saunter into the plastic surgeon’s clinic and ask for gel implants. Here are a few advantages and disadvantages of this product that you ought to know first. Advantages: 1. Cohesive gels are far more stable fillers than saline or silicone gels. This means that the implants retain their shape better and longer. This also eliminates unsightly bulges and lumps when the person becomes extremely active. 2. Since the cohesive gel can be considered as a solid substance, there is absolutely no chance for the implants to leak, in case the procedure goes wrong. This also lessens the health risks associated with breast augmentation. 3. According to reports, capsular contracture or the formation of firm and unsightly scar tissue around the implants does not usually occur with gel implants. No one yet knows why this is so. Apparently, the formation of scar tissue is the most obvious complaint among patients who have had saline implants. Health care providers theorize that the firmness of the cohesive gel breast implants inhibits the body from producing scar tissues in the surrounding area. Disadvantages: 1. One of the major disadvantages of cohesive gel breast implants is the cost. This product is by far, one of the most expensive implants that money can buy. Plastic surgeons usually charge more because the implants have to be specially made to suit the person’s physique and cosmetic demands. 2. The possibility of implants leaking into the body is nil. However, with this kind of product, the gel might fracture due to excessive external handling. In mild cases, the fracture could remain unseen, and would usually pose no danger to the person’s health. However, further handling can cause the gel implants to break apart which can cause distortion to the person’s breast or pectoral.

Nowadays, it is quite common to come across websites promoting the ease and simplicity of acquiring breast implants. In fact, you might even come across scores upon scores of web pages that insinuate this type of surgery is minor and easily done, or that they are affordable. Some clearly give the impression that just about anyone can simply drop by the doctors’ office and walk away with a better looking physique. However, these statements are misleading to say the least! If you are seriously considering getting your breasts or pectorals done, here are is the real story regarding some of the exaggerations surrounding breast implants. Statement #1: Having breast augmentation can be easily done. Fact: Recent studies show that breast enlargement is by far, the most commonly done plastic surgery procedure. Every year, the number of cases for breast implants grows by about 5%. However, these statistics should not be taken as an affirmation that this procedure is “easy.” About 44% people who have had their breasts or pectorals done usually have to undergo corrective surgery for botched jobs or undergo maintenance procedures several years after the surgery. Additionally, all surgical cosmetic procedures must be done with a lot of preparation beforehand. Health care providers must test your suitability for the procedure and educate you regarding what you should and should not do afterwards. The term “easy” really applies to the way the surgeon performs the procedure. But that does not necessarily mean that it’s easy for the patient as well. Statement #2: Breast implants procedures are now very affordable. Fact: Again, the word “affordable” is relative. If you have a large income and you can easily shell out about $4,000 to $6,000 per operation, then breast augmentation is indeed affordable… at least, for you. But many people find this price tag a bit steep. You also have to remember that this estimation only covers the actual procedure and the doctor’s fees. But there are other miscellaneous expenses that you also have to shoulder like pre-testing fees (mammogram,) general check-ups and medications. In some cases, you will also be encouraged to have regular MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) screenings to see if the implants are still intact. These miscellaneous expenses can easily amount to $2,000 or more. Statement #3: Breast augmentations can be done during your lunch break. Fact: This falls more on the category of wishful thinking, rather than fact. Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that entails some time in the hospital or any health care facility. You need to be prepped a day early, and you would need some time afterwards to recuperate. Although there are some people who immediately bounce back when they have their breast implants, a greater number of people need to spend about 2 to 5 days of complete rest after the procedure.

Gel Implants: Essential Things You Should Know

When it comes to breast augmentation, one of the leading products being recommended is gel implants. According to studies, a good population of plastic surgeons favor the use of this product because apparently, gel poses fewer health risks in case the augmentation does not go that well. However, there are also studies that show that these implants tend to lack the “natural” feel of normal breasts, and can sometimes develop a lumpy texture. If you are indeed thinking about getting these implants, it is important that you know which statements are facts, and which ones are not true at all. Here are some truths that you might want to factor in your decision-making process should you decide to get gel implants. 1. Clinics really do favor the use of cohesive gel breast implants -- or gummy bear breast implants, as they are sometimes called. Earlier kinds of gel implants have proven to be unsatisfactory to many patients, particularly because the feel and the look is not natural. Many patients expressed dissatisfaction because these earlier gels were often times too firm, and often looked flat or too fake. With newer technology though, the gummy bear breast implants can retain a more conical shape (for women) or square-like shape (for men). And this almost eliminates the unsightly lumps and bumps that previous implants had. Although these might not be as pliant as the saline implants (which are filled with liquid,) gummy bear breast implants look far better. These days, the plastic surgeon has the option to choose the actual shape of the implants -- from conical-shaped ones, to more rounded level ones, and even larger sets, depending of course on the patient’s specifications and what the health care provider thinks is appropriate to the person’s physique. Additionally, gummy bear gel implants usually retain their shape longer, which means that there are fewer instances of the implants distorting due to gravity or excessive external handling. And that in turn, means that there are fewer chances of health risks for the patient. 2. If you are worried about the costs, gummy bear implants are by far the most expensive ones you can get. The plastic surgeon has to make sure that the implants are anatomically suited to your body, and that can increase your bill considerably. However, with fewer complications associated with gel implants, you might save a lot of money down the line from not having reconstructive surgery for botched jobs or having fewer maintenance surgeries afterwards.