Breast implants: types, follow-up and replacement

What types of breast implants exist, where are they placed, how are they followed up and when does replacement come into play? Explained by the doctors of ACLINIC.

Anyone considering a breast augmentation often has questions about the implant itself. What types are there? Where will it be positioned? And does an implant last a lifetime? In this article you can read what you need to know about breast implants, from the choice to the follow-up in the years afterwards.

What an implant consists of

A breast implant has an outer shell of silicone, with a filling inside. Most implants are filled with silicone gel. That gel is cohesive, which means it does not run out like a liquid when the shell becomes damaged. There are also implants filled with a saline solution.

Implants differ in shape, volume, height and projection, that is how far the implant comes forward. The choice depends on your body build, the width of the chest, the skin and the tissue that is already there, and on what you yourself have in mind.

Round or teardrop shaped

A round implant has the same projection everywhere. It gives more volume in the upper part of the breast. A teardrop shaped or anatomical implant is fuller at the bottom than at the top, and in this way follows the shape of a breast. Which shape suits you is something you discuss with the doctor based on your body build. Neither of the two is better, they give a different result.

In front of or behind the muscle

The implant can be placed in front of the chest muscle, under the breast gland tissue, or partially behind the chest muscle. With little tissue of your own, placement behind the muscle offers more coverage of the implant. With sufficient tissue, placement in front of the muscle may suffice. Your doctor will explain which placement suits you and why.

When the breasts have also sagged somewhat, a breast lift during the same operation can be discussed. After a pregnancy, breasts and abdomen are sometimes looked at together in a combination of procedures, a so called "mommy makeover".

The process

An implant through the years

1

The consultation

The doctor examines the breasts, measures the chest, inspects the skin, and discusses which shape, size and placement suit your body build.
2

The procedure

The implant is placed through a small incision, in front of or behind the chest muscle. The procedure takes place under sedation or general anaesthesia.
3

The first months

You wear a compression bra for about six weeks. It takes several months for the breasts to take on their shape and position, and this can differ from person to person.
4

The years afterwards

You attend the check-ups with the doctor and the breast examinations that are indicated for you. In case of complaints or changes, you get in touch.

Does an implant last a lifetime?

No. A breast implant is not a product for life. There is no fixed date on which it has to be replaced, but the longer an implant is in the body, the greater the chance that a new procedure will be needed at some point. A replacement mainly takes place when there is a medical reason or a wish of your own.

Reasons to discuss a replacement include:

capsular contracture, in which the scar tissue around the implant hardens and the breast becomes harder, painful or deformed
a tear in the shell of the implant
a change of the breast due to pregnancy, weight loss or ageing
your own wish to change the volume or the shape

The follow-up

After the procedure, check-ups with your doctor follow. In the years afterwards too, it remains important to monitor your breasts. A tear in a silicone implant does not always cause symptoms. An ultrasound or an MRI can bring it to light. The doctor will tell you which examination is useful and when.

Implants are no obstacle to breast examination. However, always mention during a mammogram or ultrasound that you have implants, so that the examination is adapted accordingly.

Get in touch if a breast suddenly changes shape, becomes harder, is painful or swells up, even years after the procedure.

Risks to be aware of

Like any operation, a breast augmentation has risks, such as post-operative bleeding, an infection and delayed wound healing. Specific to implants are capsular contracture, a tear in the implant, a shifting of the implant and an altered sensation in the nipple. There is also a rare form of lymph node cancer that has been linked to certain implants, BIA ALCL. The doctor will inform you about all these risks and about the type of implant that is used.

You will receive an implant passport, with the brand, the type and the volume of your implants. Keep it safe. It is useful at every later check-up or procedure.

Questions you can ask

Which type and which shape of implant is planned for me, and why? Will it go in front of or behind the muscle? Where will the scar be? Which follow-up do you recommend in the years after the procedure? What happens if I become pregnant later or want to breastfeed? What do I do if I feel a change ten years from now?

Feel free to bring a list of questions to the consultation. You will also receive written information about the procedure and the risks, and the time to let everything sink in before you decide. For aesthetic surgery, the law prescribes a reflection period of at least fifteen days.

Making an appointment

Whether this treatment suits your situation can only be assessed by a doctor after an examination. Would you like to know more about your situation? Make an appointment for a consultation.

Call us: 050 97 79 30

Gruuthuselaan 7, 8020 Oostkamp

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This information is general in nature and does not replace a personal consultation.