This decision involves more than just choosing a cup size, reports New You, the consumer magazine published by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. It’s important to work with your surgeon when making the choice, as one of the top reasons women go back for a second augmentation is that they want to go larger than they did with the first surgery, says the magazine.

Picking the right size includes taking into account your body type, frame and height. Dr. Jacob Haiavy, a board-certified cosmetic surgeon in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., explains: “Cup size is almost arbitrary when you’re talking about implants. Sizes aren’t consistent between bra manufacturers — there’s no universal size measurement — so it’s important to educate patients on how to choose the right size for them based on volume and fullness.”

A surgeon should take all your measurements — including the circumference and width of your breasts, shoulders and hips — before your implant size is chosen.

“I look at the shoulders, chest, height and weight to dictate what type and size of implant I’ll put in. It’s what will fit a person’s body,” says Dr. Haiavy. “For instance, if the patient’s breast base width is smaller than the size of the implant diameter, I advise going down a size to avoid looking disproportionate. Reversely, with a patient who has a wider base, I’ll recommend going bigger as an option.”

Another piece of advice from the article: don’t let outside influences choose your size or convince you to go with a size that you aren’t comfortable.

As one surgeon points out, the goal is to give you what looks natural. “You don’t want to have a surgical, overly operated look that is a tell-tale sign of implants,” says Dr. Marc Yune, a fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. “It’s got to look normal for you and your proportions.”

Sheyla Hershey has undergone more than 30 plastic surgeries, and, according to Fox News in Houston, she suffered her first complication when a severe staph infection reached both of her breasts following her most recent breast augmentation procedure in Brazil earlier this summer.

Hershey, a mom who lives in Houston, said her new surgeon told her she should be concerned for her life because the infection could leak into her bloodstream. To fight the infection, Hershey has had to give herself infusions of intravenous antibiotics every twelve hours and is undergoing further treatment, possibly to remove her implants according to news reports. Hershey’s website, www.sheylahershey.net, provides updates on her condition.

Dr. Michael Will, a cosmetic surgeon near Washington, D.C., and president of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, says that infection related to breast augmentation is rare, and when encountered, the implants frequently need to be removed and replaced at a later date.

He stressed the importance of the consultation between the doctor and patient prior to surgery:

Breast augmentation procedures should be preceded by a comprehensive consultation between the cosmetic surgeon and the patient, where the patient’s concerns and expectations are discussed in relation to the patient’s breast and chest wall anatomy.

An effective evaluation and treatment plan should result in a post-operative outcome that reaches a balance between the patient’s expectations and the surgeon’s surgical and anatomical limitations to yield an esthetic and healthy outcome. When the surgical tissue tension and stress exceed the capacity for normal healing, wound breakdown and infection often develop.

Dr. Branman performs several breast surgery procedures—including breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast implant replacement—in his Little Rock Surgery practice. His website has more information on breast augmentations risks.

Do breast implants really need to be replaced every ten years?

Breast implants do not have an expiration date and there is no requirement to have them replaced at ten years. However, according to the Institute of Medicine, the average life expectancy of a breast implant is 16 years. FDA studies of silicone breast implants suggest that most implants last 7-12 years. However, some breast implants clearly last much longer. So, there really is no definitive recommendation. Speaking for myself, I am at 25 years and counting. My breast implants have far outlasted my marriage!

According to The National Research Center for Women & Families, “the likelihood of rupture increases every year.” But as long as the breast implant is intact and you are not experiencing any complications, there is no real need to have a breast implant revision.

After 25 years, I am not experiencing any major complications or significant positioning problems, even after two pregnancies and breastfeeding, however I am considering breast implant replacement. I want to be proactive and avoid any complications, but I also want to benefit from new technology and use this opportunity to achieve a new look.

What is Breast Implant Revision?

Breast implant revision involves the removal or replacement of your current breast implants. Plastic surgeons recommend an evaluation and possibly replacement of breast implants around 15 years after breast augmentation. Evidence shows that somewhere between10 and 20 years after surgery, most women will either be experiencing some type of complication or desire an improved appearance of the breast. Over time, positioning changes may occur due to accidents or natural causes. Breast implant revision surgery can resolve these concerns and provide a more satisfactory breast appearance.

Some of the common reasons one might consider a breast implant revision surgery are as follows:

• Encapsulation, i.e. capsular contracture, which consists of excessive scar tissue development that can place pressure on the implant
• Folding or wrinkling of the implant
• Improper implant positioning
• Implant rupture or leakage
• Desire to improve breast appearance
• Desire to use improved implant technology
• Aging and potential weakening of the breast implants

A revision surgery offer the patient a chance to alter breast shape and size; after all, it is a whole new decade and your lifestyle is quite likely different than when you originally chose to get breast implants.

Got a question or comment about Michelle’s post? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it