Implant Breast

The first documented attempt to augment (enlarge) the breast happened 119 years ago. For the first 68 years, breast augmentation was attempted by direct injection with materials, including paraffin, fat, and free silicone. These attempts led to disastrous consequences including infection, hard breast lumps, deformity, fat absorption, fat necrosis, and chronic inflammatory reactions. Removal was difficult, sometimes leading to measures as drastic as mastectomy. After the invention of the mammogram, these injections were found to create artifacts that made cancer screening more difficult. For these reasons, direct injections of the breast were abandoned by most plastic surgeons in the US. Free silicone injections into the breast for augmentation still continued in many other countries into the latter part of the 20th century, however.

Commercially-made breast implants were first available in the US in 1958, and over 200 different implant types and designs have been made since then. Experts estimate that 60% of these were silicone gel filled implants with the exception of 1992-2006, when the FDA moratorium was in place. During this time, saline-filled implants dominated the market. Dow Corning dominated the implant market for the first 30 years, but over 15 other companies made breast implants during the 1980s.

Although Congress gave the FDA authority to regulate medical devices in 1976, breast implants had been “grandfathered in,” and few of the products underwent rigorous testing in clinical trials prior to sale on the open market. Regulation of breast implants did not occur until 1991, when the FDA asked companies to submit premarket approval applications. As a result, the implant industry was caught blind sided when the FDA demanded comprehensive data with a 90-day deadline for completion of all safety studies. [...]

Let’s face it – most of us weren’t born with quite the body we would have imagined, but thanks to medical advancements, improvements are available. Are you considering breast implants? Women across America are thrilled with their breast implants, boosting their confidence and self-esteem.

Breast implants can improve the way your body looks and how you feel about your body. Just one cup size can make you feel that much sexier. Breast augmentation can make the breast larger and [...]

Breast implant surgery has been the subject of a great many debates with advocates both for and against it. It is widely held that breast implants or any breast augmentation greatly improves a woman’s confidence. Some would like to have you believe that breast implants are too risky. Today’s breast implants have been studied and researched by the experts, and they are considered a safe option for women to improve their body image.

The technical term for breast implant surgery is breast augmentation mammoplasty, and the purpose is to increase the volume of the breast to enlarge the cup size, balance the shape of the breast, and of course, improve a woman’s self-image. [...]

The November 17th 2006 Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the use of Mentor and Allergan (Inamed Corporation) silicone breast implants in the United States has raised many questions among women in Southern California, especially those in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

Prospective Los Angeles breast augmentation patients want to know if they can now receive silicone gel-filled breast implants, and if so, what types of silicone breast implants are available? And what are the potential adverse effects or concerns? [...]

If you’re considering breast augmentation there are a few things to consider in terms of cost before you proceed with any breast enlargement. The costs of breast implant surgery and other breast plastic surgery are not always what they seem. There are many hidden costs that must be considered also.

For an initial breast augmentation surgery you should plan to pay at least $5000 to $6500 for saline breast implants and at least $6000 to $8000 for silicone breast implants. If you find doctors or surgeons who are charging less, be careful. It’s imperative that you make sure the surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon. There are doctors in other specialties such as dermatology who routinely perform these breast enhancement procedures.

These costs in the United States don’t vary too much except in New York City where they may be at least 50% more than the rest of the U.S.

When you’re quoted a price for breast implants make sure it includes the cost of the anesthesiologist, the board-certified plastic surgeons’ fee, the operating room, the hospital room and any other expenses. Make sure to ask about these fees because the surgeon’s fee may only be 65%-80% of the total cost of the surgery. [...]