Women consider breast aesthetic surgery for numerous reasons such as to reconstruct breasts after losing them to breast cancer, or to restore breast shape and form following childbearing, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss, or simply because she's unhappy with her breast size and/or shape. Although the desired outcome for each individual may differ, there is a common thread among women who choose breast surgery - their fundamental desire to restore and enhance their personal sense of self and femininity.
If you are considering breast surgery, for either reconstructive or augmentative reasons, you may have questions about breast implants and the safety of those medical devices. Again, it is important that you visit Dr. Herrmann to discuss your options and expectations in detail, so that you can make an informed decision. Find information about breast implants at http://www.fda.gov/dcrh/breastimplants/.
All breast implants are made of a round or shaped silicone elastomer (rubber-like) outer shell. Breast implants can either be saline filled or silicone gel filled.
- Saline breast implants have a self sealing valve that is used to fill the implant with sterile saline solution (salt water) at the time of surgery.
- Silicone implants are pre-filled with a cohesive silicone gel. Silicone is derived from silicon, an element that in nature combines with oxygen to form silica. Beach sand, crystals and quartz are silica; in fact, silica is the most common substance on earth.
In addition to silicone gel-filled breast implants, silicone is used safely in the body in many medical devices and products, including pacemakers, replacement heart valves, artificial joints and baby pacifiers.
In the past, there has been some controversy surrounding the use of gel-filled silicone breast implants, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the medical devices in November 2006. Silicone gel-filled breast implants are among the most studied FDA approved devices in existence, with hundreds of peer-reviewed and published reports, including robust epidemiological studies supporting their safe use.
To meet each woman's individual needs, breast implants come in a variety of shapes, sizes (volume), textures and projection profile combinations. This vast array of options, combined with your body type, physical characteristics and goals for surgery, helps you and Dr. Herrmann arrive at a decision about implant size and placement that is right for you specifically. Prior to surgery, it is important to candidly discuss your expectations. Dr. Glenn Herrmann is your most valuable resource to help you achieve realistic expectations and to make your surgical experience a pleasant and safe one with the results you desire. Ask Dr. Herrmann if you can view photos of previous surgical results, and ask to tour his office surgical center and botique.
