What does breast augmentation mean?
Breast augmentation is often referred to in colloquial terms as a boob job, but breast augmentation is the clinical name for any form of plastic surgery that increases the size of your breasts.
The breast augmentation procedure is virtually the same as the breast implant surgery in which saline or silicone implants are placed under breast tissue or chest muscles. If you’re considering a breast augmentation procedure but don’t know the ins and outs, keep reading to discover everything you need to know.
How much do breast implants cost in Quebec?
The average cost of breast augmentation with saline or silicone implants is between $9,000 and $12,000 in Quebec.
Breast augmentation costs may vary based on the following factors:
- The surgeon. The reputation and experience of the surgeon are important determining factors for the cost of your surgery. The better and more reputable the surgeon, the more expensive the procedure.
- In addition to the surgeon, there are other professionals who need to be paid. Your fees will therefore likely include the cost of other highly trained staff such as anesthesiologists.
- The type of breast implant you get will also inevitably affect the cost of your surgery. As a general rule of thumb, silicone implants are more expensive than saline implants.
- Where you get your surgery will also affect the price. However, if you are in Quebec, you can expect it to range from $9,000 to $12,000, with the above factors contributing to the final price.
Types of breast implants
Breast augmentation is an umbrella term that encompasses multiple forms of breast implants. Below is an exploration of some of the most popular types of breast implants:
Saline implants
Saline implants include a small degree of silicone as the outer shell is made from silicone. However, unlike actual silicone implants, they are not filled with the synthetic material. The implant is inserted without anything in it and is then filled with saline water.
This is a popular choice for customers due to the fact that the incision and scar can be smaller as the implant enters the body without the filling. You can get saline implants from 18 years old.
Silicone implants
Silicone breast implants are made of the synthetic material silicon. It’s an option that closely mimics breast tissue. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing you to achieve the aesthetics you desire.
In order to get silicone implants as a cosmetic surgery, you must be 22 years or older. However, if you’re seeking out this procedure for breast reconstruction reasons, there may be an opportunity to get it done earlier.
Gummy bear implants
Gummy bear implants are a form of silicone implants. They are made of a cohesive gel, meaning they hold their shape well. Since they are made of silicone, they have similar advantages of silicone implants, such as closely mimicking breast tissues.
What’s the safest breast implant?
Realistically, no type of breast implant is safer or more dangerous than another. The main thing to consider when choosing which kind of implant you want is the aesthetics you desire, the kind of lift you prefer, the scarring you’re willing to live with, etc.
The Canadian society of plastic surgeons discusses the safety of both saline and silicone implants on their website, without detailing whether one type is safer than the other. However, they do discuss the risk of breast cancer related to implants.
Although implants do not directly cause breast cancer, they can make it more difficult to scan for cancer during mammograms. You should therefore always consider your own personal health and medical history before deciding which type of implant you would like.
Which type of breast implant feels the most natural?
Silicone breast implants are largely considered to be the option that feels the most natural. Taking it a step further, gummy bear implants offer the most natural feeling of the silicone breast implants.
The cohesive gel that is inside gummy bear implants has a consistency that best replicates breast tissue. The shape of the gummy bear implants also mimics the shape of the boob, making it feel more natural than other options.
Moreover, the placement of the implant can affect how natural it looks. You have two options for breast implantation placement, either directly behind the breast or behind the breast and the chest cavity. You should discuss different options with your surgeon to decide which breast implants are best for you. Factors such as weight loss, body size and implant size will affect the placement of your implant.
What age is best for breast augmentation?
Although there are recommended ages for breast augmentation, you can opt to get this procedure done at almost any age, depending on your personal preferences and what you want based on where you are in life. Health Canada recommends that you wait until you’re 18 to get saline implants and until 22 if you want silicone implants.
With that being said, it’s not recommended to get breast augmentation before the age of 18 as you should wait until your boobs are fully formed. This usually doesn’t happen until you’re at least 18.
The reason people want to get breast augmentations generally changes with age. Whilst younger people tend to opt for the procedure simply because they want larger breasts than they currently have, older women tend to go through with the treatment because they want to lift their breasts to restore their breasts to what they looked like in their youth.
Realistically, there is no optimal age to get your breast implant surgery, it is down to personal discretion and what you feel comfortable with doing. The main thing that can deter younger women from getting breast implants is if they want to breastfeed in the future. Although it’s extremely rare for breast implants treatment to affect breastfeeding, this is still a factor that can decide the age at which a person chooses to get this treatment done.
Do your nipples still get hard after breast implants?
The short answer is yes. Your nipples will still get hard after having your breast implant surgery. The procedure ensures your nipple sensitivity is preserved.
The implant is placed behind all the muscles of the anterior hemithorax, behind the Great Oblique, the Large Serrated, the Small Oblique, and finally the Grand Pectoral. This therefore means that the sensitivity of the nipples is preserved when receiving breast augmentation.
How long do breast implants last?
Technically, breast implants don’t have an expiration date; however, the recommended time frame to have them removed is between 10 and 20 years regardless of whether they are silicone or saline.
Breast implants are not likely to last a lifetime and there are some signs that you might need to remove your implants earlier than anticipated. Below are some of the things to look out for that may indicate removal is necessary:
- Saline rupture. If you have saline implants, there’s a chance they may rupture. If this happens, it’s relatively easy to detect as your boobs will visibly deflate. Although saline ruptures are rare, the risk does increase with time, making it more likely the longer you’ve had them.
- Silicone rupture. Silicone implants can also rupture. However, this is harder to visibly notice due to the thick consistency of the gel and its tendency to stay in place. However, there are some symptoms that accompany a silicone rupture, including but not limited to pain, swelling, numbness and irregular breast sizes.
- Rippling. Rippling is often talked about when considering getting this form of plastic surgery. It occurs when the outer coating of the implant begins to wrinkle. If you can feel the wrinkles through your skin, this is known as palpability and it may be visible. If this is the case, you should consider implant removal.
Although breast implant removal is sometimes necessary, you can always get them replaced. You should therefore not ignore the signs of any issue with your implants as they could lead to health concerns if left untreated.
Considering breast augmentation?
If you’re considering breast augmentation, the first and most important thing to do is contact a surgeon. Talking through your expectations, what you want, health risk and costing with a professional surgeon will give you a better idea as to whether or not breast augmentation is the right choice for you.
Your initial consultation with Dr. Moufarrège will cover all the integral information you need. You will receive a general health assessment to decide whether or not getting a breast implant is a viable option. If breast augmentation is possible for you, other logistical factors will be explored such as skin firmness, and the shape and size of your breasts. You will also get the opportunity to lay out your expectations and discuss things such as the type of implants you’d like, the size and the placement.
All the possible risks and dangers will also be explained to you during your initial consultation, as well as what to expect from the overall experience. From your initial consultation through to your recovery process, Dr Moufarrège will be available to talk you through everything, making sure you feel comfortable from start to finish.
