Are Breast Implants Safe? Here's What Patients Should Know

Feeling good about the way you look is important. Breast augmentation surgery enhances the size and shape of the breasts through the use of saline or silicone implants. As you may have heard, there are pros and cons to getting breast implants. You may have even wondered about implants causing cancer. If you are concerned about breast implant safety, SSK Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA is here to provide the right education and resources for patients. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Kelishadi will gladly review any potential complications as a result of surgery and help decide what is best for you. Learn more by reading the following information and scheduling a consultation in Orange County.

Breast implant safety

Breast implants are devices placed under the breast tissue or chest muscle in patients. They can be used to increase breast size or to replace tissue that has been removed due to breast cancer or other trauma. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved saline and silicone implants for use in breast augmentation and reconstruction along with correcting developmental defects. Countless women have received breast implants without any complications or issues at all. So if you are wondering whether silicone or saline implants are safe, the answer is generally yes.

That being said, many women have questions about breast implants causing cancer. Namely, Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). BIA-ALCL is a rare and highly treatable type of lymphoma, or cancer of the immune system. When caught early on, BIA-ALCL is usually curable. Common symptoms include breast pain, a lump in the breast or armpit, hardening of the breast, or fluid collection after receiving an implant. Educating yourself about BIA-ALCL will help lower these risks of breast implants, especially if you report these symptoms to Dr. Kelishadi in Newport Beach, CA as soon as possible.

Are saline implants safe?

Saline implants are filled with sterile saline water. They tend to make the breasts appear rounder and feel firmer than natural breasts. One of the advantages of choosing saline implants is that they require smaller incision sites. Once they are placed, Dr. Kelishadi can make minor adjustments as needed so patients can achieve their ideal breast size. In the rare case of a leak or rupture, patients will notice the change right away as the breast deflates and the natural solution is safely absorbed by the body. Please call SSK Plastic Surgery right away if you believe one or both of your breast implants have ruptured so we can address the issue.

Are silicone implants safe?

The chief advantages of silicone implants are aesthetic, since they look and feel soft, just like natural breast tissue. This is why they tend to be the more popular choice for breast enhancement. Thanks to their composition, silicone implants are less prone to rippling and wrinkling than saline implants. Although they designed to be durable, there is still the risk of implant rupture with silicone. Since there is no immediate sign that a rupture has occurred, the FDA recommends scheduling regular MRIs for women to detect any potential issues. Dr. Kelishadi will make sure to discuss whether he believes silicone implants are more ideal for your surgical needs.

Breast augmentation recovery

An important part of breast implant safety is knowing what will happen during the recovery period. After plastic surgery, Dr. Kelishadi or a member of his staff will review all of the post-operative instructions so you can make the most of the healing process. It is essential to follow these guidelines as given since they will include information about recovery times, prescription medication, incision care, and more. If you have any questions about these topics, our staff will be happy to address them.

During recovery, be careful not to push yourself to perform physical activities or you may harm the healing breast tissue. At this time, you should know that your breasts will take an average of 3 – 6 months to settle into their new positions in the chest. As we take all patient safety concerns seriously, please reach out to our office if you experience any concerning side effects from surgery, such as excessive pain or bleeding. The final outcome should appear younger-looking and naturally elevated.

Reach out for your breast implant consultation

So are saline implants safe, and are silicone implants safe? At our Orange County facility, we believe that one of the most important roles we have is informing patients about both the benefits and risks of breast implants as well as other plastic surgery procedures. Using breast implants, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kelishadi works with each patient to safely achieve attractive, natural-looking results.

Whether you’re curious about the process or ready to move forward, our clinic is ready to help you through the journey. If you have concerns about breast implants causing cancer or the risks of breast implants, reach out to SSK Plastic Surgery to set an appointment in our Newport Beach, CA office. We will review all of your options and make you feel completely comfortable before moving forward with surgery.