Breast augmentation, where a medical prosthesis is used to enlarge the breasts, is one of the more popular enhancements around. Actresses, exotic dancers and even the everyday gal who wishes to create as sexier bustline can get this popular surgery done.

Of course, the procedure may set you back $5,000-$10,000 dollars; however, financing is available for those who desperately desire the cosmetic surgery. Before you sign up to pay off a hefty loan for the next twenty years, you may wish to learn about the implants themselves and what revolutionary new procedures reduce scarring and downtime.

Breast Augmentation Consultation

A lot of the questions you may have about surgical breast enhancement will be answered by the initial doctor's visit. Be sure to bring a list of questions you have along with you so you know what you are getting into. A reluctance to discuss the surgery or the cost of the procedure is something of a red flag. Reputable plastic surgeon wants their patients to feel entirely comfortable about their cosmetic surgery.

One for the many things you will discuss during the first office visit may be the type of implants used. The two most common implants are silicone and saline and both have their drawbacks and advantages.

Saline Implants

Encased in a silicone rubber coating, saline implants consist of a salt water solution that is close to the natural water found in the human body. There are pre filled implants and others that are adjustable so that the volume can be raised or lowered during and after the cosmetic surgery.

Advantages: Because saline implants have a sterile salt water base, they fluid is easily absorbed into the body should the implant rupture. There are far more surgical techniques that can be utilized with saline implants as well.

Drawbacks: Saline implants tend to ripple and buckle beneath the skin and feel less real then silicone implants.

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants can either have a rough or smooth outer coating or have a fixed volume that cannot be altered. Although they once were considered potentially harmful, the FDA has been able to prove that silicone implants do not cause serious tissue damage or medical conditions.

Advantages: Silicone implants look and feel more like breasts and are heartier than saline so they are less apt to rupture post cosmetic surgery.

Drawbacks: Since silicone implants are not adjustable, there are only a few techniques that can be used to insert them. This often means large incisions have to be made. Also, when silicone implants rupture, the gel is not absorbed by the body.

The doctor should have several implant samples in the office. Ask to handle the implants you are considering and look into the various risks associated with both before making any firm decisions.

Breast augmentation techniques

There are several techniques that a plastic surgeon can use to put the implants in place but all largely fall under the realm of subglandular (under the breast gland) or submuscular (under the muscle). The most popular cosmetic surgery option is to place the implant just under the pectoral muscle. It creates longer lasting and more realistic results, but often requires general anesthesia and longer recovery time.

Several different types of incisions can be made to introduce the implants as well, however, the most contemporary cosmetic surgeries, even those that are introduced via the belly button, are complimented by saline implants due to their inflatable nature.

Just realize that any implant you obtain, whether saline or silicone, are not permanent and have to be replaced. Some implant manufacturers even offer a replacement program.

Before you decide on breast augmentation, learn all you can about this popular cosmetic surgery procedure. By doing this, you can all but guarantee stellar results!