Breast Implants: Info, Prices, Photos, Rewiews, Q&A

Breast implants do not come with an expiration date. Many people have the mistaken idea that implants must be changed out every 10 or so years. This is not true. If you remain happy with your result and there is no rupture present, you may keep them indefinitely.

It also must be kept in mind that implants are mechanical devices that will eventually wear out, and so you should expect sometime in your life that you may need surgery. As a rule “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

Even small procedures, prescriptions, manipulations, etc., carry risk, and it makes no sense to incur a risk like surgery, to change out an implant that is performing well in a happy patient.

Breast Implants: Over or Under the Muscle

There are many factors when discussing implant placement. The shape of your breast, amount of breast tissue you have, as well as whether a lift is required are all major factors in deciding placement of the breast implant.

I typically will place a silicone gel breast implant over the muscle if my patient does not require a breast lift. I feel this allows for a natural look to the breast regardless of the activity you are participating in or the outfit you are wearing.

When implants are partially covered by the pectoralis muscle you run the risk of what is known as animation deformity which happens during contraction of the pectoral muscle. What this is referring to is a movement and indentation which can appear in the upper pole of the breast where the pectoral muscle is located; it is important to note that this indentation is not permanent and will subside when the muscle is not being flexed although it can be alarming at times.
With saline filled implants I would always place these partially under the pectoralis muscle in order to provide more coverage to the upper pole of the implant which has been known to show rippling. This coverage is not required with silicone gel implants due to the beautifully natural results they provide.

The most important aspect with regard to deciding on implant placement is making sure you are fully comfortable with the decided upon placement whether over or under the muscle and have discussed this thoroughly with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Silicone or Saline

In my practice, approximately 95% of patients choose silicone implants Silicone is much softer and more natural feeling.

Also with Silicone you are less likely to have rippling. Speak to your board certified plastic surgeon as he/she will guide you with their professional opinion.

Benefits of saline or silicone breast implants

A great, natural appearing result can be achieved with either. In our practice over 90% of patients choose silicone. I would recommend discussing this at length with your plastic surgeon and even seeking a second opinion if you are not satisfied with the answers.

All surgeons have their preferences.

if the surgeon makes his living by putting Implants in through your armpit or belly button, then they will clearly be more of a fan of saline implants. However, the problem with the saline implant is that when it leaks, it goes flat.

That means you have to go back to surgery to have it fixed. Silicone implants certainly feel much more realistic than saline implants. It does appear that you have enough breast tissue to cover the implant so that shouldn’t be as big of an issue.

If a silicone implant ruptures, you may not be aware of it. Most silicone implant ruptures are called “silent ruptures” and do not affect the look, shape or feel of the implant. From many decades of research, we can also tell you that it would not harm you physically.

You are young. It’s not a bad idea to use a saline implant for your first implant now and maybe consider a silicone implant for the future (although I would have no hesitation in using silicone implants for you).

Consider your incision placement as well. If your first implant is being placed through your armpit or bellybutton, please understand that that scar will not be used in the future if you need another implant surgery.

I think it is more wise to use an incision that can be used again in the future.

Breast Augmentation and Mastopexy

Placing just implants without a lift in your case would lead to fullness in the upper pole with a larger breasts but the nipple and the rest of the breast tissue would be sitting too low.

Ideally we would want the nipple and areola, as well as the rest of the parenchyma above the breast crease.

As far as cc’s go, it would be necessary for you to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss this in person as it is impossible to give you accurate information without evaluating/examining you.

3D imaging to estimate breast asymmetry

The left looks like it is more than 40 cc larger than the right. There are two plausible possible reasons for this. The fill volume of the implant was miscounted (unlikely but it has been known to happen)

There is signficant swelling or other fluid (hematoma) on the left Hopefully it was just swelling, and hopefully this has now resolved completely.

3D imaging is a great tool to assist plastic surgeons in estimating breast asymmetry volume differences. I prefer and own the Canfield Vectra system. A 3D image is taken and the computer estimates (often extremely accurately) individual breast volume.

One more piece in the puzzle when trying to acheive perfect symmetry.

Over muscle

If you are a weightlifter, the implants may be placed over the muscle to avoid distortion of the implant while flexing. Over the muscle may also be suitable for you considering the amount of natural breast tissue you have.

As you can see by the answers provided here, opinions differ so what’s most important is to find a board certified plastic surgeon with experience treating weightlifters whom you can trust and feel comfortable with.

Activity after Breast Augmentation

Patients are up and about the night of surgery. My patients take a shower the day after surgery and depending on the activity level may return to work.

Natrelle textured saline breast implants
Natrelle is the brand name of the implants manufactured by Allergan. Anatomic (shaped) implants, as opposed to round, are only available with a textured shell and not a smooth one. Your plastic surgeon should provide you with all the necessary information about the exact type of implants he used and the reasons for his choice.

Breast Augmentation

Consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your concerns and expectations. You appear to be a good candidate fo the surgery, but it is a personal decision.

Many women with implants have children later on.

If you’re planning a pregnancy in the next year, it’s advisable to postpone your breast augmentation until afterwards. If, however, you aren’t planning on becoming pregnant in the immediate future and you’re unhappy with your current breast appearance, breast augmentation may be right for you.

It’s difficult to predict how your breasts will look after nursing, as that depends on your skin quality and other physical factors. It’s common for breasts to change in size and shape after pregnancy and breastfeeding with or without implants.

If you decide to have breast enlargement and then become pregnant, you may choose to have revision surgery or a breast lift to reverse any changes to the breasts caused by pregnancy and the aging process.

Under muscle recommended for saline implants

I’ll add my vote for under the muscle. When it comes to saline implants the results are much more natural if the implant is as deep away from the surface of the skin as possible.

By putting the implant under the muscle you will have a much more nautral slope of the upper portion of the breast and much less risk of visible rippling along the cleavage area.

Wanting Breast Implants- Do I Need a Lift Too?

What I offer patients in your appearance situation is either a slightly larger implant (like450 cc++) with a donut lift or just do the implants and if after 3 months do the donut lift if needed under local anesthesia.

Would a dual plane method be enough to achieve a natural look for moderately sagging breasts?

I’m afraid implants alone will not give you aesthetically acceptable results. A dual plane approach in your case will only make your current problem larger and more challenging to fix down the line. Please understand that implants cannot and will not lift breasts.

You need a full lift. Consider the Ultimate Breast Lift method that eliminates the vertical scar component and does not require a breast implant to achieve upper pole fullness. There’s a patient similar to your dimensions in my before and after gallery that did quite well.
She did not require implants. You are welcome to contact her directly through this site. Incisions are hidden in the inframammary fold and around the areola without loosing sensitivity. Look into it.

Prices From Realself:

Breast Augmentation Prices

2011:

• $8000 – John Diaz, MD – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2011;
• $8000 – John Diaz, MD – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2011;

2012:

• $5100 – John Diaz, MD – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2012;
• $6500 – John Diaz, MD – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2012;

2013:

• $6000 – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2013;

2014:

• $3500 – Dr John Dia – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2014;
• $6000 – Dr. John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2014;
• $6500 – Dr. John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2014;
• $7000 – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2014;

2015:

• $7000 – John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – 2015;
• $7500 – Rating 4/5 – 2015;
• $7565 – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2015;

2016:

1. $13000 – Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2016;

2022:

• $10500 – Rating 5/5 – 2022;

Breast Implant Removal Prices

2020:

• $10000 – Dr. John Diaz – Rating 5/5 – 2020;

Breast Implant Revision Prices

2015:

• $6500 – John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2015;

2018:

• $16500 – John Diaz, MD – Rating 4/5 – 2018;

Breast Implants Prices

2010:

• $7999 – Dr. John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2010;
• $8000 – Dr. John Diaz – Beverly Hills – Rating 5/5 – 2010;

2011:

• $8000 – John Diaz, MD – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2011;

2014:

• $7000 – Dr John Diaz – Hawaii, HI – Rating 5/5 – 2014;

2015:

• $7000 – John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – 2015;
• $7500 – Rating 4/5 – 2015;
• $8150 – Dr. John diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – 2015;

Breast Lift with Implants Prices

2015:

1. $13000 – Dr John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2015;

2016:

• $6000 – John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – 2016;

2018:

• $16500 – John Diaz, MD – Rating 4/5 – 2018;

Juvederm Prices

2012:

• $500 – John Diaz, MD – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2012;

Liposuction Prices

2017:

• $7800 – Dr John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 1/5 – 2017;

Mommy Makeover Prices

2015:

• $19500 – Dr. John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – 2015;
• $25000 – Beverly Hills, CA – 2015;

2016:

1. $19000 – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2016;

Revision Rhinoplasty Prices

2013:

• $7000 – John Diaz – california – Rating 5/5 – 2013;

Rhinoplasty Prices

2012:

• $5500 – John Diaz, MD – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2012;

2013:

• $5499 – Dr. John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2013;

2016:

• $9500 – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2016;

2017:

• $9500 – Rating 1/5 – 2017;

2018:

• $9500 – John Diaz MD – Los Angeles, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2018;

Tummy Tuck Prices

2012:

• $4999 – Dr. John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2012;
• $5200 – Dr. John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2012;

2013:

• $6200 – Dr. John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2013;
• $6799 – John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2013;

Voluma Prices

2015:

• $1000 – Dr. John Diaz – Beverly Hills, CA – Rating 5/5 – 2015;