Consumer Guide to Breast Implants

Plastic surgery for breast implants increases in popularity every year. The Consumer Guide to Breast Implants provides information about implant choices, placements, incisions, side effects and much more.

You can read a brief introduction to each article below.

Am I a Candidate for Breast Implants?

Take our two-minute online self-evaluation, and generate a custom report on whether you are a breast implant candidate. Take the breast implant evaluation now.

What You Need to Know About Breast Implants

Breast implant surgery can enhance the size and shape of your breasts. Because of improvements in surgical methods and breast-implant technology, this procedure has become more refined, providing better post-surgical results than years ago. This procedure may be combined with a breast lift to provide a fully satisfactory outcome. Get the details on breast implant procedures.

Breast Implant Clinical Trials

Here we provide a list of current breast implant clinical trials from the U.S. National Institutes of Health database.

Breast Implant Choices

Breast implants come in many sizes and shapes. The type of breast implant that you choose for surgery should be based on your desired change in profile and cleavage. Factors include positioning, surface texture, shape, personal anatomy and other considerations. Learn more about your choices when selecting breast implants.

Breast Implant Anatomy

There are many types of breast implants to choose from. This article describes in detail the anatomy of a breast implant. Learn more about breast implant anatomy.

Breast Implants and the FDA

Silicone breast implants were removed from the market in 1992, and recently reintroduced. This article shows the history of the FDA's consideration of breast implants. Learn more about implants and the FDA.

Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants

Saline breast implants have been considered advantageous because if ruptured, the saline can be easily dissolved by the body. A disadvantage is that saline implants are more likely to show ripples through the skin. This article explores the differences, pros, and cons of saline and silicone implants. Learn more about saline vs. silicone breast implants.

Sponsored Section: Which Breast Implant Is Right for Me?

Answer a few brief questions to learn whether saline or silicone breast implants might be a better choice for you. Sponsored by Mentor Corporation. Take the implant screening now.

Breast Implant Side Effects

As with any surgery, breast augmentation surgery has some associated risks. Though infrequent, complications can result in further treatment or a longer recovery. Risks associated with breast implant surgery could include obstructed mammography, breast feeding issues, infection, and possible implant leakage. This article presents several types of side effects that you should know about. Learn more about possible breast implant side effects.

More Breast Implant Related Articles

Breast Implant Placement:

• Subglandular or above the pectoral muscles
• Partial submuscular or partially behind the muscles
• Complete submuscular or completely behind the muscles

Breast Implant Incisions:

• Under the breast (inframammary incision)
• Around the nipple (periareolar incision)
• In the arm pit (transaxillary incision)
• In the navel area (transumbilical or TUBA incision)

Get more information from these breast augmentation articles:

• Are You a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?
• What Does Breast Augmentation Cost?

[page updated June 2008]