Beauty Doc Blog

September 30.2008

Recently a reader asked:  Is breast augmentation permanent?  What if I change my mind?

Answer:  Breast augmentation is not considered to be a permanent procedure because breast implants do not last a lifetime.  Patients often undergo the removal of implants, which may or may not be replaced, at some point during their lives.  For this reason, breast augmentation is not considered to be a one-time surgical procedure.  Additional doctor visits and surgical procedures are likely to be necessary at another time in your life.

While patients can and do change their minds about breast augmentation, you can minimize this potential problem by having a detailed consultation with the cosmetic surgeon prior to surgery.  Choose a competent, licensed cosmetic surgeon with experience.  Discuss your goals with the the surgeon and listen to their feedback about the procedure including possible results, healing and future maintenance.  Take time to make your decision about breast augmentation and have realistic expectations.  A breast augmentation can improve your appearance but will not make you look like your favorite movie star or help you win back that elusive ex-boyfriend.

When you decide to have breast augmentation, the cosmetic surgeon will discuss types of breast implants, such as gel and saline, along with the size and shape.  Based on your physical goals, the cosmetic surgeon will help choose the best implants to give you the overall look you desire.

Certain physical changes after breast augmentation cannot be reversed.  Issues such as implant shifting, infection, deflation and capsular contracture may cause women to have breast implants removed.  Some patients have the implants replaced and others do not.  If implants are removed and not replaced, you have have some puckering, dimpling, wrinkling and other cosmetic changes occur to your breasts.

When you have breast implants, calcium deposits may be seen on mammograms.  These deposits may be mistakenly considered as possible cancer.  Additional surgery to biopsy the area or remove the implants may be required to find out if the patient really has cancer.

Breast augmentation can enlarge your breasts to make them proportional to the rest of your body, reshape breasts they may have lost their usual appearance after bearing children and balance breasts that may have a different shape or size.  Choosing a competent plastic surgeon and getting all the facts about the procedure will minimize the possibility of having the surgery reversed.  If you do decide you need to have breast augmentation reversed, it is not a lifelong procedure and options are availble.