Breast Implant Placement..

[styleguru]

20. Do I have to massage with textured implants?

Implant manufacturers designed textured implants with the belief that they would reduce the occurrence of CC. Many surgeons report and agree that textured implants actually make no difference in the rate of CC in their experience as well as report more difficulty in removing capsules from textured implants as opposed to smooth.

However, many surgeons believe that you should not massage textured implants, specifically with textured unders. Many manufacturers recommend that you not massage nor undergo a closed capsulotomy procedure regardless of the implant surface type. Reasons for this recommendation is so that the implant does not fail and rupture. Of course if the implant ruptured, it is covered under their warranty. See a connection?

Whatever the case, abide by your surgeon's instructions. Any behavior contrary to these instructions made void any type of revision agreement with you and your surgeon which will put the majority of a re-operation's expenses in your court.

[styleguru]

21. Which placement helps hide rippling?

Rippling is the occurrence of palpable ridges or scalloping of the implant edges under the skin. Some rippling is so pronounced that you can see it clearly. Some only appears when one bends over or moves a certain way - or even only when lying down. Regardless, women never like it, it is unattractive and a tell-tale sign of implants.

Rippling, although can be lessened with optimal fill amounts, can and does happen regardless. Placing the implants sub-pectorally (under) can lessen rippling's appearance in the cleavage area, top and on the upper outside areas of the implant. However, since the pectoralis major only covers the upper 2/3 of the implant, rippling can be seen on the lower half and underneath in some patients.

Unfortunately, in thin and thin-skinned patients -- rippling matters no matter what. Some patients even choose to undergo full sub-muscular placement helps to cover the implant in the lower areas of the breast as well. With full sub-muscular placement, the implant is placed through a trans-axillary or peri-areolar incision and situated under the pectoralis muscle that fans from the arm over the chest area, under a section of the rectus abdominus fascia of the upper abdomen and the serratus muscles as well. This particular placement is not offered by all surgeons.

[styleguru]

22. Is breast cancer easier to detect with unders rather than overs?

Breast Cancer is easiest to detect with a trained mammography film technician and an equally trained mammography lab technician. Sub-pectoral placement (unders) only covers 2/3 of the upper half of the implant and even less for larger sizes. If unders help so much in better mammography films then what the fate of the lower half of the breast?

There are techniques (specifically the Eklund technique) and additional films which significantly increase your chances of detection. According to Yale Medical University, "The Eklund technique is a mammographic view that displaces breast implants to increase the amount of breast tissue that can be seen. Compared with the standard view, the Eklund technique increased the breast tissue revealed from 56% to 64% for sub-glandular placement of implants and 75% to 85% for sub-muscular placement."

Plus monthly self breast exams significantly increase your chances of early detection -- which can save your life!

[styleguru]

23. Do implants rupture more often with unders than with overs?

There are conflicting reports which completely contradict one another. Some surgeons believe that overs may deflate more due to increased CC rates, or less protection by the muscle (remember the actual muscular coverage of the implant). Some believe the opposite and say that the rate of rupture is higher due to muscle contractions T

here are also so many variables that there is truly no way to have a consistent results and a bona fide controlled study. Variables such as implant surface type, optimal volume (overfill/underfill) personal physical habits, surgeon, implant type, implant brand, implant lot, filler, etc. can alter these findings and combined may alter your personal implant rupture chances.

This is yet another question to ask your own surgeon to find out his own personal percentages/experience with rupture.