The amount of misinformation out there about plastic surgery (and breast augmentation in particular) is often a reason my patients have false assumptions about their procedures. My goal as one of the board-certified plastic surgeons in South Florida is to help my patients separate fact from fiction. Consider the following:
- Myth #1: Silicone implants are not safe. This is perhaps the most common myth that persists today. The notion that silicone breast implants are not safe is based on outdated information regarding previous breast implant materials, which are no longer used. Today, silicone breast implants such as the “gummy bear implants” are made of a cohesive gel that is very durable and highly unlikely to leak even if the implant is ruptured. The silicone implants in this new generation have been FDA approved for safety in women 22 years of age and older.
- Myth #2: Breast implants look fake. Modern breast augmentation techniques and materials allow for results that look very natural. In the past, many surgeons adopted a “cookie cutter” approach to breast surgery that did not accommodate a woman’s body or aesthetic preference. Today, more customized solutions are available, including anatomically shaped gel implants. At my practice, I tailor each breast augmentation to the patient. Personalized options such as implant placement, implant shape and texture, and incision method provide a greater level of customization.
- Myth #3: Breast implants increase your risk of breast cancer. Any association between the incidence of breast cancer and breast implants isn’t clearly supported or defined. Women with breast implants need not worry about increasing their risk for cancer. In addition, today women with breast implants are able to receive highly accurate mammography exams using special imaging techniques.