3 Myths About Breast Augmentation You Should Stop Believing

Want to know the facts about breast augmentation? In the Los Angeles area—where people tend to be especially image conscious—patients considering this procedure typically want to know everything they can so than they can feel comfortable and confident about their decision. One of the most important things you can do beforehand is gather information on the entire breast augmentation experience. Planning breast augmentation can be an exciting but overwhelming experience at first. Even though you may be excited about the stunning results you can achieve with breast implants, you may have many questions about it as well.

Dr. Mo Zakhireh, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Palm Desert, explains that although breast augmentation has continued to be highly popular, there are many myths, misunderstandings, and off-based ideas about the surgery that have continued to circulate throughout the years. If you’re considering breast augmentation, you’re far from alone: Millions of people undergo this surgery each year. There are a variety of reasons why people decide to have breast augmentation, including boosting their self-image if they feel like their breasts are asymmetrical, too small for their frame, or they want to address changes to the breasts due to pregnancy.

If you’re confused about what’s true and what’s false, read on to explore three of the biggest myths about breast augmentation debunked.

Myth 1: Implants Need to Constantly Be Replaced

One of the biggest myths about implants is that they have to be replaced often. It’s widely believed that implants need to be replaced every 10 years, but this is far from the case. The truth is that there’s no need to have your implants replaced unless a complication—such as a rupture or capsular contracture—has occurred. Many people enjoy their implants for 20 years or more with no problems. That said, keep in mind that, since implants aren’t lifetime devices, it’s likely you’ll need to have them replaced at some time in the future.

Myth 2: Implants Will Always Look “Fake”

In the early 2000s, a more artificial look for breast implants was in fashion, but there is now a higher demand for natural-looking implants. Patients are also more interested in enhancing the shape of their breasts. When done properly, breast augmentation will look and feel very natural in most cases. To get the most subtle, modest, and realistic-looking results, you will need to carefully consider several factors with your surgeon—including the size, projection, profile, and placement of the implants. To get the most natural results, it’s recommended that you consider an under-the-muscle placement to create a more natural, gradual slope at the tops of the breasts; choose gummy bear implants, since they have a teardrop shape that makes them look more like natural breasts; and try the smallest sized implant that will achieve your goals.

Myth 3: Breast Augmentation Will Cause You to Lose All Sensation

Some patients worry that they’ll lose sensation in their breasts after getting implants. Sensory changes do sometimes occur after breast surgery, especially in cases where patients get large implants. However, for most patients, breast sensation will return as normal—especially for under-the-muscle placements. Keep in mind that it can take three to six months for the sensation to return, and the majority of patients won’t have a complete loss of feeling. Although there may be some temporary numbness for some people, sensation should return to normal when the tissue heals, swelling goes down, and nerves adjust to the new breast size. A common reason for the numb or tingling feeling some patients experience is changes that occur to the nerves of the breasts. Post-surgical swelling can also cause temporary compression of the nerves, but this will resolve on its own.

Want to discover more about the advantages of breast augmentation? Contact Cosmetic Surgery Institute by calling (760) 837-0364 or submitting a contact form to request a consultation.