Low Cost Breast Reduction $3,000, Breast Reduction Prices, Discounted Breast Reduction, Breast Reduction Discounts,International Breast Reduction

Low Cost Breast Augmentation $2,139 total price - Discount Breast Reduction $2,299 total price
World Class, Low Cost Discount Cheap State-of-the-Art Cosmetic Discount Breast Surgery w/Lower Costs

2009 Breast Cosmetic Surgery Cash Discount Prices
The price list below is for India "only". If you want prices for medical services in other countries, call toll free (800) 771-3325. During nights and weekends, email internationalsurgeries@yahoo.com to get more information or a free, comprehensive, no obligation quote.

    Breast augmentation saline implant cash discount price $2,139
    Breast augmentation silicone implant cash discount price $2,229
    Breast augmentation (Nagor/Meghan) cash discount price $2,319
    Breast uplift / lift mastopexy cash discount price $2,139
    Breast reduction cash discount price $2,299
    Breast removal cash discount price $2,459
    Breast implant with lift cash discount price $3,939
    Breast reconstruction using flaps cash discount price $3,879
    Gynecomastia correction - male breast cash discount price $2,079
    Breast implant removal cash discount price $1,219
    Nipple reduction cash discount price $1,229
    Breast implant revision cash discount price $2,859
    Non-surgical breast lift/breast enlargement/breast enhancement cash discount price $1,779
    Inverted nipple repair cash discount price $969

Package Includes:

Attending Doctor/Surgeon's fees, nursing, material cost, pre and post procedure consultations, tests and physical examination.
Medical surgical procedure hospital costs
All ancillary medical surgical staff
All medications, medical supplies and drugs used during the in-patient hospital stay.
Room fees for a private air conditioned room. Notes...Room includes bathroom, TV, telephone. Room includes accommodations for one guest.
Meals as served from and available at the hospital.
Rental of pre-activated cellular phone for use during stay. Note: Phone usage charges are not included in price.
All diagnostic tests, laboratory, radiology etc. before and after the procedure as required for the procedure and as advised by the attending physician/surgeon.

For more information call toll free 800-771-3325 or email customer service 24/7/365
24 hours - 7 days a week - 365 days a year

Breast Reduction Cosmetic Surgery

Reconstruction of a breast that has been removed due to cancer or other disease is one of the most rewarding surgical procedures available today. New medical techniques and devices have made it possible for surgeons to create a breast that can come close in form and appearance to matching a natural breast. Frequently, reconstruction is possible immediately following breast removal (mastectomy), so the patient wakes up with a breast mound already in place, having been spared the experience of seeing herself with no breast at all.

But bear in mind, post-mastectomy breast reconstruction is not a simple procedure. There are often many options to consider as you and your doctor explore what's best for you. Most mastectomy patients are medically appropriate for reconstruction, many at the same time that the breast is removed. The best candidates, however, are women whose cancer, as far as can be determined, seems to have been eliminated by mastectomy.

Still, there are legitimate reasons to wait. Many women aren't comfortable weighing all the options while they're struggling to cope with a diagnosis of cancer. Others simply don't want to have any more surgery than is absolutely necessary. Some patients may be advised by their surgeons to wait, particularly if the breast is being rebuilt in a more complicated procedure using flaps of skin and underlying tissue. Women with other health conditions, such as obesity, high blood pressure, or smoking, may also be advised to wait. In any case, being informed of your reconstruction options before surgery can help you prepare for a mastectomy with a more positive outlook for the future.

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Breast Reduction
Making Breasts Smaller and
Higher Through Surgery

Macromastia (macro=large, mastia=breast)

Large breasts can cause a multitude of problems, including neck, back, and shoulder pain, headaches, shoulder-grooving (where the bra-straps dig in), postural problems (which contribute to upper extremity nerve problems), interference with activities and exercise, rashes under the breasts, inability to find clothing that fits properly, and problems with self-image. As a result, women with large breasts are often in chronic pain, have little energy, may be overweight because they are unable to exercise, and have self-image problems, all of which interfere with quality of life.

Possible Solutions to the Problem of Large Breasts

Weight loss and exercise are usually suggested (if not required) by insurance companies prior to approval for surgery, but often futile. Weight loss, even if successful, usually does not alleviate the symptoms of macromastia. Many women are unable to exercise because of the large breasts themselves - hence, a catch-22. Aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and other medication may benefit some, but usually their effect is limited. Powders may reduce your chance of developing a rash in hot weather. Chiropractic care is rarely of help. Invariably, surgery is the most effective, most efficient, and most successful way to treat the problem of macromastia.

Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction is an operative procedure in which breast tissue and excess breast skin are removed. The removal of breast tissue results in a smaller breast. Removal of excess skin results in a breast that is higher on the chest wall and more aesthetic. This is an important component of this operation, because it allows the breast to be restored to a youthful appearance and shape. If excess skin were not removed, the breast would actually look worse following breast reduction than before surgery.

During the operation, your nipples will be moved to a higher position on your breasts. This is usually accomplished WITHOUT removing your nipples and putting them back on. The technique plastic surgeons use to accomplish this is called transposition, in which the nipple stays fully attached to the breast - only the surrounding skin is moved. Because the nipple preserves its attachment, most women retain (or improve) nipple sensation, the ability to attain an erect nipple, and the ability to breast feed.

Breast Reduction: During and After Surgery

Anesthesia: General
Location of operation: Surgery Center or hospital.
Length of surgery: 2-4 hours
Length of stay: Overnight
Discomfort: Moderate. Anticipate 3-7 days of prescription pain medication.
Swelling and Bruising: Improve in 2-4 weeks.
Bandages: Will be removed in 1-7 days.
Stitches: Will be removed in 5-7 days or will be absorbable.
Support: You will wear a sports bra or ace wrap for 1-4 weeks. Avoid an under wire bra until your surgeon approves it.
Back to work: 1-3 weeks.
Exercise: May be resumed in 2-4 weeks.
Final result: Will be seen after the scars have matured, which will be about 1-3 years.

Risks of Breast Reduction Surgery

Scars: The only drawback to removing excess skin is that it necessarily causes scars. Fortunately, the scars can be limited to areas that are hidden when you are wearing a bra - they are located around the nipple, below the nipple, and along the crease beneath the breast. The scars fade after surgery, but it can take years for them to do so. There are some techniques of breast reduction which may eliminate the scar along the crease, but most of these techniques are in the development stage at this time. Usually the scars are acceptable, especially when considering the benefits gained in quality of life following breast reduction, but no one can guarantee that you will be pleased with your scars. If you are going to have this operation, you simply must accept the fact that you are exchanging the problem of macromastia for scars.

Nipple or breast numbness or sensory change: Numbness is uncommon. It is more likely that your nipple sensation will improve because the nerve to your nipple will no longer be stretched due to the weight of your breasts.

Nipple Loss: This is a tragic problem, because, in it, one or both nipples lose their circulation and die. There would also be an open wound, requiring care. Eventually, the wound would close, or surgery would be necessary to close it. The nipple would then be recreated artificially by using your own skin or tattooing a nipple. Nipple loss is most likely to occur in smokers, but may occur in anyone. If you smoke, you should quit at least 2-4 weeks prior to surgery to reduce your risk of this problem.

Infection, bleeding, fluid collections (seromas), asymmetry (unevenness between sides), and healing problems may occur following any surgery. If you are young and healthy and follow your doctor's instructions, you may reduce your likelihood of these events.

Final Size: No one can guarantee your final cup size, because cup size is not standardized. Have a detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon prior to surgery to communicate your desired size. Explaining you preference in comparison to your current size is sometimes very helpful. For example, you might want to be somewhere between one third and one half of your current size.

Tips and Traps of Breast Reduction

Breast Augmentation Cosmetic Surgery
Mammoplasty

Breast Enlargement with Breast Implants

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the United States. Through the placement of breast implants, women have been able to achieve changes in their figure (breast enlargement) that otherwise would have been impossible. In spite of their overwhelming popularity, breast implants have limitations. Breast augmentation surgery will not improve nipple asymmetry, move your breasts closer together, lift droopy breasts, or remove stretch marks. If you have droopy breasts, you may need a breast lift (mastopexy). Also, breast implants are not free of problems (see "Risks" on side panel). In order to determine whether breast augmentation surgery is for you, you must weigh the risks and the benefits of breast augmentation.

Breast Augmentation

Breast Implant surface (textured or smooth)

By implant surface, plastic surgeons are referring to whether the implant is smooth or textured. A smooth implant is just that - as smooth as the surface of a balloon. Textured implants are rough, somewhat like sandpaper. Once they are in placed under your breasts, it is impossible to tell whether you have smooth or textured implants. Textured implants were developed because plastic surgeons thought that they would be less likely to cause capsular contractures. Unfortunately, studies have not shown a consistent advantage of textured implants over smooth when it comes to capsular contractures. Also, textured implants are more likely to cause rippling which can be a big problem for thin and small-breasted women. For these reasons, most plastic surgeons favor smooth implants for breast enlargement.

Shape (round or anatomic (teardrop))

By this, plastic surgeons are referring to round or teardrop shape. Round implants are shaped like jelly donuts. Teardrop implants are shaped more like the breast. At first, you might be thinking that (of course) teardrop implants would be better. However, most plastic surgeons disagree: they think that teardrop implants tend to become round with the forces of healing and that the teardrop implants do not necessarily give a better result. Furthermore, they find that teardrop implants may rotate, giving an unnatural appearance, and they impose restrictions in that they must be textured. Because plastic surgeons tend to recommend the techniques that work best in their hands, you should heed the advice of your plastic surgeon in this matter.

Volume

This is the all-important size issue. Implants come in all sizes with the most common sizes ranging from 200-600 cc. This is equivalent to 7-20 ounces. Within that range, 300-450cc is probably the most common. By the way, a cc (cubic centimeter) is the same as a ml (milliliter) - just in case you have visited other sites which refer to volumes in mls. This decision is highly personal and highly individualized. The best way to determine your size is by placing breast implant sizers (your plastic surgeon will hopefully have them) in your bra and then put a sweater, blouse, or t-shirt on (or, perhaps try all of them, as you will appear different in each). Do not allow your surgeon to dictate your size. You must have input in this decision.

Breast Implant projection (standard vs. high profile)

Breast implants are designed so that, as volume increases, so does diameter (the footprint of the implant) and projection (the amount it sticks out, away from your body). Standard implants are designed so that MOST women who choose a given volume will be able to accommodate the breast implant's diameter beneath her breasts. This is so because women with narrower breast diameters often have smaller bodies and tend to choose smaller breast implants; women with wider breast diameters often have larger body frames and tend to choose larger breast implants. In other words, women tend naturally to choose an implant volume that is in proportion with body size and breast diameter, and the breast implants were designed in anticipation of that. BUT, what if a woman wants a breast implant that has a larger volume than would be considered proportionate (by breast implant manufacturer standards) for her breast diameter, chest wall size, and body frame? In that case, placing a standard implant would risk an unnatural result, because it would be too wide for her body frame and would likely also extend too high and too low on her chest wall. In these cases, a High Profile implant is recommended. With a high profile implant, the volume is the same, but the diameter (footprint) is narrower and the projection (the amount that it sticks out away from your body) is greater. Most women (over 95%) are best suited to standard implants. The way to tell if you should have standard implants or high-profile is as follows: First, your surgeon should measure your breast diameter. Next, you should choose the implant volume that you want. Finally, your surgeon should compare the diameter of the desired implant size (standard implant) to the measured diameter of your breast. If the diameter of the implant size you selected is about the same or smaller than your measured breast diameter, then a standard implant is appropriate. If the diameter of the desired breast implant is larger than you breast diameter, then you should consider high profile breast implants.

Saline Vs. Silicone Gel

Currently, saline filled breast implants are the only ones approved by the FDA for use in the United States (in other words, you do not need to be involved in a study to receive saline implants). Silicone breast implants remain under study regarding their safety and benefits. Because preliminary studies regarding silicone gel implants have been favorable, broader studies are now being conducted throughout the United States. This means that if you want silicone breast implants AND you are willing to be involved in a study, AND you are considered a candidate for silicone breast implants, then you may have this option available to you. Silicone gel breast implants are a good option for some women.

Fill (This Pertains only to Saline Implants, as Silicone implants are Pre-filled by the Manufacturers)

Saline implants come in increments of about one ounce, which is 30 cc. Mcghan implants are made in 30cc increments (180cc, 210cc, 240cc, 270cc, 300cc, etc.). Mentor Implants are made in increments of 25cc (200cc, 225cc, 250cc, 275cc, etc.). Each implant can be and SHOULD BE overfilled by an additional 25-30 cc. This is because the implants were meant to be overfilled, and the implant manufacturers not only stand by their products when they are overfilled, but they encourage surgeons to overfill them. Here's why: overfilling reduces deflation, rippling, and sloshing. Under filling has no advantages and significant disadvantages (rippling, sloshing, and deflation). So, after you select your desired final volume, your surgeon should select an implant that is one size smaller, and then overfill it to your desired volume.

Site of Incision (This Pertains only to Saline Implants, as Silicone Implants are All placed via an Incision Under the Breast)

The options for site of incision are under your breast, around your nipple, in your armpit, or through your belly button. An incision under the breast is placed within or near the natural crease beneath your breast. This incision has the advantage of having the scar hidden in the shadow of the crease under the breast. It also heals well. It also is the incision you would likely get anyway if you require revision surgery later in life. Most plastic surgeons use this incision. Around the nipple can give a good result in some women, but is riskier because it is at the focal point of the breast, so any irregularities in the scar will make it far more obvious. It also imposes a higher risk of nipple numbness and inability to breastfeed. Under the arm is an option and has the advantage of being hidden in the armpit. Although many of these scars heal favorably, some armpit (axillary) incisions can be unsightly. Also, revision surgery, if needed, might not be possible through the existing armpit scar, so an additional scar would be necessary. Finally, the incision can be made through the belly button. This is called TUBA, or Trans-Umbilical Breast Augmentation. The advantage is that the incision is hidden inside the belly button. The disadvantages are that the implant must be placed in the subglandular plane (over the muscle), the surgeon may not be able to correct certain breast asymmetries, the deflation rate may be higher, and revision surgery through the original scar is not possible, so an additional scar would be necessary (around the nipple or under the breast). For all of these reasons, few surgeons perform this incision when placing breast implants.

Options in Breast Implants

Before you sign up for breast augmentation surgery, you and your plastic surgeon should have a long discussion about these important issues:

1. Position (under or over the muscle)

By implant position, plastic surgeons are referring to whether the breast implant should be placed above or below the pectoralis muscle. Advantages for placing the breast implant above the muscle include less discomfort post-operatively, less swelling, and less chance that the breast will appear to move when you are exercising your upper body. This last issue has been one of great concern for many women, especially those who have full workout regimes. Simply put, if your breast implants are under the muscle, then when you flex your pectoralis muscles (as you often do during workouts), your breasts may appear to move. Sometimes (though not commonly) the breast motion will appear quite distorted. Now, to bring things into perspective, you should realize that many women who work out (and even some professional female athletes) have implants under the muscle and are very happy with their appearance. In other words, if you work out a lot, do not automatically believe that your breast implants need to go over the muscle. Advantages for placing the implants under the muscle include less interference with mammography and less rippling in the upper half of the breast. ( Generally, thin and small-breasted women should favor implant placement under the muscle. The advantages of less interference with mammography, less rippling of the upper half of the breast, and more cushion between the implant and the skin outweigh the drawbacks, many of which are temporary. Athletic women should consider placement of the implant above the muscle (as long as they have adequate breast tissue and body fat) to avoid breast distortion when the pectoral muscles are flexed. Thin, small-breasted, athletic women must weigh the options. In general, they are probably better off with implants under the muscle. Even though this can cause distortion of the breast while working out, this is not too much of a problem unless you work out in the nude. A more significant cosmetic problem for these women is rippling, which is less likely to occur in the upper half of the breast if the implants are placed under the muscle. Of course, this is your call.

Breast Augmentation Risks and Complications

Breast augmentation can offer fabulous results. However, it also poses some risks which can lead to complications and unfavorable results.

Capsular contracture: This is a scar that forms around the implant, causing it to feel firm, look unnatural, and potentially hurt. When you see pictures of a woman with obvious implants who looks like she has "coconut breasts", she more than likely has a severe capsular contracture. These are much less common and less severe with saline implants than with silicone implants. If you develop a mild capsular contracture, you may not be bothered by it and may not even notice you have one. If you develop one which is moderate or severe, you will probably require surgery to correct the problem. Surgery involves removing the scar and placing a new implant. In spite of this, the capsular contracture may return. Placing the implant under the muscle has a lower risk of capsular contracture than placing the implant over the muscle.

Interference with mammography: Breast implants interfere with the ability of a mammogram to "see" all of your breast tissue. Placing the implant under the muscle least interferes. With the breast implant under your muscle, mammograms can "see" about 90% of your breast tissue. With the breast implant over the muscle (AKA under the breast), mammograms can "see" 75% of your breast tissue. Either way, implants do not interfere with self breast examination, which is how the majority of breast cancers are discovered. They also do not interfere with ultrasound or MRI scans, which are helpful in evaluation of breast masses.

Implant displacement: Implants can move out of position at anytime after surgery. They can move upward, downward, left or right. If they move only a little, you may not even notice. If they move alot, you may need further surgery to move them back into position. Fortunately, this problem is not common. One exception is in women who have very large implants. The larger the implant, the greater the chance that it will displace downward.

Implant deflation: Saline implants can develop a leak and deflate. If so, your breast will shrink to its preoperative size over a matter of a day or so. You will need another surgery to replace the deflated implant. Risk of deflation is about 4% during the first year following surgery, then about 1% per implant per year for each year thereafter. Deflation is most likely to occur in implants that have not been over filled. Yes, you read that right. Over filling reduces deflation. This is because deflation is due to folding of the implant shell, which occurs repetitively in implants that are not over filled. After the implant shell has folded hundreds or thousands of times with your natural body movements, the implant shell tears - just like a piece of paper that has been folded time after time.

Rippling: This is the visible appearance of waviness of the skin over your implants, like the ripples of a wave on a lake. Some doctors refer to this as "wrinkling." This occurs due to saline shifting around inside your implants. It is most troublesome if it occurs in the upper half of the breast, because it would be evident in low-cut clothing and swim wear. Rippling is uncommon when the implants are over filled and is less common with smooth implants than with textured ones. Also, when the implants are placed under the muscle, there is less chance of rippling in the upper half of the breast.

Infection: Infection, if it occurs, usually does so within two months of surgery. The risk is about 1% and often requires removal of the involved implant and antibiotics. A new implant can be placed six months later, but that means you would have to go for six months with very uneven breasts.

Nipple numbness: The national risk of having permanently numb nipples is about 15%. If the possibility of having numb nipples is unacceptable to you, you should not have this operation because no surgeon can guarantee preservation of nipple sensation.

Breast feeding and pregnancy: Breast feeding ability is not altered by implants. Many women ask about the effect of future pregnancy on augmented breasts. In most cases, implants will not affect the fate of your postpartum breasts. Here is why: following pregnancy (and breast feeding), your breasts will shrink to their pre-pregnancy size (or there about). During this process of shrinking, your breast skin may either tighten or not tighten. If it tightens, you will most likely not have breast droop. If it does not tighten, then your breasts will unfortunately droop. Whether or not the skin tightens has little or nothing to do with the presence or absence of implants.

Need for Further Surgery: Women unwilling to accept the potential need for further surgery should not have breast augmentation. Understand that if you receive any implant in your body - whether it be a pace maker, artificial joint, artificial heart valve, or anything - that one of the inherent risks is that you may need further surgery on it at some point in your life. With breast implants, you may need further surgery for capsular contracture, deflation, rippling, displacement, infection, desire for a different size, or another reason. You may also go a lifetime without having any problems. But, it is most prudent to assume that at some point, you will probably want or need another surgery to address one of these problems.

Anesthesia
Your procedure will most likely be performed under general anesthesia. Some plastic surgeons offer breast augmentation under sedation anesthesia, but if so, be careful. In some cases, these plastic surgeons are using so much sedation that it is actually safer to use general anesthesia. In other cases, they use sedation anesthesia because their office is not approved for general anesthesia. In some of those cases, they may have difficulty achieving adequate comfort for you, and this means you could endure pain during the procedure. There are some plastic surgeons who capably perform breast augmentation under sedation anesthesia, so be sure to ask about your doctor's experience.

Location of operation:
Your procedure may be performed in your plastic surgeon's private operating room or at a nearby hospital or surgery center. If performed in your plastic surgeon's office, be sure to ask whether the office is certified and by whom.

Length of surgery:
The actual procedure takes 1-1 1/2 hours. However, the length of time you will be in the operating room will be longer. This is because once you are transferred to the operating room, it takes awhile to get you ready for surgery. You will have monitors placed. You will then be sedated or put to sleep. Then you will be "prepped" which means your skin will be carefully cleansed to rid it of normal skin bacteria. After that, drapes will be placed around your body and the surgical "field" will be set up. After your procedure is over, your skin will again be cleaned and a dressing will be applied. You will be awakened and monitored until stable. Finally, you will be transported to the recovery room. For these reasons, your procedure could be scheduled for anywhere from 1 1/2 to 3 hours.

Length of stay:
In most cases, you will be allowed to go home the day of surgery.

Discomfort:
Discomfort is mild to moderate following implant placement over the muscle and moderate to severe following implant placement under the muscle.

Swelling:
Swelling is least if the implants are placed over the muscle and most if the implants are placed under the muscle. Regardless, it is usually at its peak 3-5 days after surgery and thereafter improves. If your implants are over the muscle, 75% of the swelling will be gone in 2 weeks and the rest will resolve over the next several weeks. If your implants are placed under the muscle, 75% of the swelling will be gone in 2-4 weeks, and the rest will resolve over a few months.

Bruising:
Most women do not bruise after breast augmentation. If you do, however, do not worry, because it is not unusual and does not affect your final result. If any exists, it improves within a week or so.

Shower:
Most plastic surgeons will let you remove your bandages and shower within a few days.

Stitches:
Most surgeons use stitches which absorb and do not require removal. If your surgeon uses stitches that require removal, do not be critical or suspicious, as this is not uncommon. If stitches are to be removed, they will be removed in 5-7 days.

Back to work:
You may return to work in 4-7 days if the implants were placed over your muscle, and 7-10 days if the implants were placed under your muscle. If your job requires lifting, you may return to work in the same time frame but will probably have lifting restrictions.

Resume exercise:
Most plastic surgeons will ask you to stop all exercising for 1-4 weeks after implants have been placed over the muscle and 2-8 weeks after implants have been placed under the muscle. As a side note, doctors have found that women planning to have implant placement under the muscle have less pain and a speedier recovery if they can stop pectoral exercises 4 weeks before surgery. This includes bench press, fly, and push-ups.

Travel after Surgery:
Most women can travel safely within a few days of breast augmentation surgery.

Silicone Breast Implants

Breast Augmentation with Silicone Gel Implants

Silicone breast implants (also known as silicone gel breast implants) offer several advantages over saline breast implants. They also have some disadvantages, so you and your surgeon should carefully weigh the pros and cons, if you are considering this option.

The Good News:
Advantages of Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel, which is softer and more natural (in the way it feels to the touch) than saline implants. They feel so soft and natural, that it is often impossible to discern them from natural breast tissue. Rippling is far less likely to occur in women with silicone implants than in women with saline implants. This is because silicone gel is far more viscous (thicker) than saline, so it does not move or slosh, as saline can. Because of this, silicone implants can be placed over the muscle in women with little body fat or little breast tissue without the aesthetic concerns (rippling) associated with placing saline implants over the muscle in these women. Hence, the major benefits of silicone implants are in the realm of a more natural look and feel.

Silicone implants may rupture. If they do so, liquid silicone may leak out of the implant shell. It is important to note that silicone implant ruptures and leakage have never been shown to cause systemic problems (such as lupus-like diseases, see below). Yet, in response to silicone implant rupture (with or without leakage), your body may develop a thick scar around the implant, called capsular contracture. Ruptures, if they occur, tend to occur in implants which have been in place for years (as opposed to recently placed implants). Thus, so do capsular contractures. The overall rate of capsular contractures among women with silicone implants is higher than in women with saline implants. A new type of silicone implant has been developed to hopefully reduce the risk of rupture, leakage, and capsular contracture. It is the cohesive gel implant (see below). Studies regarding the rate of rupture, leakage, and capsular contracture for these implants are currently underway, so the rate of these problems is not yet known.

Silicone implants are all pre-filled by the manufacturer. This means a longer incision (6-8 cm) is required to place the implant. This is in contrast to saline implants which are empty (hence smaller) prior to their insertion. As such, saline implants may be placed through a shorter incision (3-5 cm).

The cost of silicone implants is about $1000-$1500 higher than saline. This is due to higher production costs (compared to saline) by the manufacturer. Your surgeon may also charge a higher surgeon's fee for placement of silicone implants because of greater follow-up time and paperwork for his/her office staff.

Putting it Together...Are Silicone Breast Implants Right for Me?

The advantage of having implants with a softer and more natural feel is more important for women who have the least amount of natural breast tissue and women who have little body fat. In these women, saline implants can often be seen or felt through the skin. Although this does not bother many women, it does bother some. Women who are starting out with a more generous amount of natural breast tissue will have more "padding" between their skin and the implants. So, in these women, the difference between saline and silicone is less evident, and sometimes there is no difference. In other words, in women who have enough breast tissue, neither implant can be felt through the skin, so the advantages of silicone breast implants are less important, but the potential disadvantages remain the same.

If silicone implants came with no risks, no worries, no extra follow-up, and no extra expense, then everyone would want to have them. But, because they come with all of these things, they are probably best suited to women who have nominal breast tissue and are willing to accept the aforementioned disadvantages. They are also very appropriate for lean women and body builders, because they can be placed over the muscle with a low risk of rippling.

When planning your operation with your plastic surgeon, you will need to decide important issues such as whether the implant will be placed under or over the pectoral muscle; whether the implant will be textured or smooth; whether the implant will be round or anatomic; and the size of the implant. Another issue to decide is whether your implants will be cohesive gel or non-cohesive gel. Cohesive gel implants can be thought of as similar to gummy bears. They are soft and pliable, but do not leak out when they are cut open. Therein lies an important advantage of cohesive gel implants.

If you choose cohesive gel, then the next decision is whether you will choose Type I, II, or III. Type I are the most pliable and are the most appropriate for the majority of women seeking silicone breast augmentation. They are smooth and round and have a lower incidence of mal-rotation and displacement than Type II or III. Type II is textured, teardrop shaped, and more firm than Type I. It is best for women who have an extreme paucity of subcutaneous soft tissue, such as body builders. The advantage of Type II is that they have a lower likelihood of rippling than the Type I. (Note that Type I silicone cohesive gel implants are less likely to ripple than saline, but the Type II are even less so). The disadvantage of Type II is that they are more likely to rotate or displace into an unnatural position. Type III are very stiff and cannot ripple, but these are not currently available, even under a study protocol.

From 1960-1990, silicone breast implants were the most popular type of implant placed for breast augmentation. In 1991, unfounded news reports emerged that silicone gel breast implants were responsible for causing connective tissue diseases (CTD's) in some women. (The key word here is unfounded). CTD's are lupus-like diseases which can include arthritis and can be disabling, affecting the entire body. Whereas it was true that a few women with silicone implants developed CTD's, so did women without implants. It has been shown through multiple studies that silicone implants did not cause the CTD's. Simply put: women with silicone implants and women without silicone implants have the same risk of developing CTD's. The presence of silicone implants does not increase the likelihood of developing a CTD.

Because preliminary studies have supported that silicone implants are safe in this regard, silicone gel breast implants have been under wider study for return to the market in the USA. In April 2005, an FDA advisory panel recommended to the FDA that silicone gel breast implants be returned to the market. The key word here is recommended. Advisory panels review the information and make recommendations, but they do not have the authority to act. So, it is up to the FDA decision-makers to determine when and how these implants will once again be widely available, outside of a study protocol. In the meantime, they are still available to those women who qualify as candidates and are willing to become part of the study.

Breast Reduction Making Breasts Smaller and Higher Through Surgery