Breast Implant Information

In our image conscious society it is even more important that women have the right and the ability to change the size of their breasts.  Women throughout history have had to deal with what nature gave them (or did not give them) or what trauma or disease took away.  In 1963 the first breast implant was successfully performed right here in Houston and thus giving women the ability to take control of their own bodies and self image.

In 1963 the first implants were made of silicone.  Just a couple of years later the first saline implants were on the market.  Interestingly these two implant types are still the most medically accepted implants today.  

Breast Implant Sizes

Implants come in a variety of sizes, shapes and textures.  Most women first think of size.  Do they want to be a full C cup or a D?  Unfortunately implants don’t come in cup sizes because the final bra size is a function of both the implant size and your natural breast size.  So, manufacturers measure size by the cubic centimeter (cc).  Sizes range from 25 cc (just a teaspoon) to a full 700 cc. 

Breast Implant Profiles:

Then there are three different profiles: low, moderate, & high.  Each gives the breasts a different degree of projection.  Again, the right projection is dependent on your existing anatomy.  This is why it is so important to insist you have a board certified plastic surgeon with years of experience as your surgeon.  The wrong implant size or projection can ultimately leave you unsatisfied with the final result.  Most any surgeon can safely implant a breast prosthesis but it takes a highly trained and skill surgeon to know how to give a patient the look they want.

Breast Implant Surfaces:

Last, implants come in textured and smooth.  Dr. Newall uses both but the majority of his patients utilize the smooth implant.  It was thought that a textured implant has less incidents of capsular contractures.  Although the medical community has yet to draw a consensus on this it is widely believed that a smooth implant placed under the muscle is less likely to have a capsular contracture then a textured implant place on top of the muscle.  Another advantage of the textured implant is that because of the texture it will not rotate in the “pocket”.  Thus, it can be made in a tear drop shape with a distinct top and bottom.  This gives a more natural look.  However the con to the textured implant is that it is more likely to ripple.  As you can see, there are pros and cons to each type and the decision is a highly personal one best left to discussion between you and Dr. Newall.

Safety of Silicone Implants:

In November of 2006 the FDA lifted the ban on silicone implants.  Silicone implants had been off the market since 1992 due to concerns of the effect of silicone on the body.  The general consensus among plastic surgeons at the time was that there was not enough data to support the claim. 

A lot has changed since 1992.  First, multiple studies were performed with no conclusive evidence that silicone implants damaged the health of women.  Secondly, the manufacturing of silicone implants has improved.  Specifically in the development of the silicone-gel implant, also known as the “gummy bear” implant due to its similarity in feel to a gummy bear.  Unlike older silicone implants if the silicone-gel implant were to rupture the silicone will not ooze or leak from its shell into the body. 

Both major plastic surgery societies support the FDA’s decisions and have set up a joint website to help inform the public of the FDA’s ruling, your implant choices, and safety information.  Visit this website at www.breastimplantsafety.org.

In 2007 almost 400,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  Millions of women have safely undergone this procedure and millions of more will.  Dr. Newall invites you to view his extensive before and after gallery.  Dr. Newall does not charge for consultations and invites you to make an appointment to visit him and his wonderful staff for a consultation.