ALL:
I converted this topic by Michelle Lawson to a Sticky as it often comes up and has broad application for the transgender community. It’s a great starting point for folks beginning to consider this option.
Thanks,
DeeAnn Hopings
Okay; maybe that isn't the best title, but I've been mulling this over for awhile, and it is what I came up with. I'm hoping that this will be a forum where we can all post information we have found helpful in getting breast augmentation or questions we have wrestled with in getting it done. For me, this is just about the actual process of getting from 'I'm needing to have breast augmentation' to 'wow, I can now check that off my list'. So I guess I will start posting snippets and chunks of what I have so far. As it is a work in progress (at least until I have my surgery), I will be posting updates as I get new, more, or better information. I do hope any of you reading this, find it helpful. And if you have a question, or comment, and you don't want to post it here in the Forum, please feel free to message me. Hugs, Michelle
<u>Construction Type:</u>
The three types are Saline, Silicone, and ‘Gummy Bear’. From what I have seen, the 'Gummies' seem to be the preferred type. Now, that is based on what research I have done, so you may be finding something different. As most of you know, saline has been around the longest, followed by silicone, and finally the 'gummies'. And of the three types, I have seen smooth surfaced implants and textured surface implants. One thing I found interesting about the 'gummies' is that if there is a puncture of a cut/tear, the 'gummy' part might come out, but will get pulled back in so it stays in place.....
Disclaimer:
First off, I am NOT a doctor, nor am I any sort of medical professional. This is just from the research I have done, and nothing more. You may find information that is different, and I encourage you to share it.
Resources: Now, I have not vetted most of these. In fact the only one I have had personal experience with is the last one, West End Plastic Surgery, because they did my orchiectomy. They were great. I have also talked with Amelia Aesthetics (Jen Eden) via their online video resources and online blog.
Amelia Academy - https://tv.askamelia.com/
Amelia Aesthetics - https://askamelia.com/
American Society of Plastic Surgeons - https://www.plasticsurgery.org/
The Cosmetic Concierge - https://www.cosmeticconciergemd.com/
Wendy Gottlieb, MD - https://wendygottlieb.com/
GrS Montréal - https://www.grsmontreal.com/en/home.html
The Philadelphia Center For Transgender Surgery - http://thetransgendercenter.com/
Kotis Plastic Surgery - https://www.drkotis.com/
RxBra - https://www.rxbra.com/
West End Plastic Surgery - https://www.westendplasticsurgery.com/
Resources (pt 2):
Mentor - https://www.breastimplantsbymentor.com/Products/MENTOR-breast-implants/MemoryGel-implant
Sientra - http://sientra.com/
Allergan - https://www.allergan.com/medical-aesthetics
Natrelle - https://www.natrelle.com/
<span class="copyright">Academic Association of Medicine</span> - https://aaom.org/breast-enhancement/round-vs-teardrop-implants-comparison/
Westlake Dermatology - https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/breast-implants-comparison/
Mayo Clinic - https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/breast-implants/art-20045957
Outline:
This should have come before I posted about Construction Type; but oh well, here it is. This Outline is just a list of topics I put in my research document. If anyone else has any suggestions, I would love to include them. I have probably overlooked a few.....
I. Construction Type
II. Safety
III. Maintenance
IV. Longevity
V. Look and Feel
VI. Size
VII. Surgical Concerns
VIIa. Pain
VIIb. Bruising
VIIc. Blood Flow
VIId. Drop & Fluff
VIIe. PostOp Massage
VIIf. PostOp Clothing
VIIg. Cleaning
VIIh. Incision
VIIi. Anethesia
VIII. Side Effects
VIIIa. Temperature
VIIIb. Allergic Reactions
This is from a comment posted by Dr. Michelle Roughton at Amelia Aesthetics: So under the muscle I don't see a lot of benefit from textured implants. Over the muscle is a different story. Textured implants, as I am sure you know, are associated with a rare form of lymphoma (which is a cancer). It's super rare and even more rare to die from it, but you can. Most of my patients freak out (and I would too, no shade!) about that and I've just switched to smooth all the time except for very specific cases. The rate of capsular contracture with a smooth implant OVER the muscle is 6 x higher than when placed UNDER. So I talk to most of my over patients about considering texture devices. Time changes every woman's body, breasts, etc with or without surgery so I don't think anyone can claim that textured devices STOP drooping. I'd just be really informed and know what to look for for the ALCL (lymphoma), which is late onset (think over 1 year later) seroma or fluid collection. I hope this was helpful and not too scary.
More on the cancer and capsular contracture in the Safety (II) section, so stay tuned.....
This is from another comment posted by Dr. Michelle Roughton at Amelia Aesthetics: This is a tough decision. I have placed Sientra textured implants and I think there’s good reasoning behind doing so. Essentially the risk of a second surgery is higher than the known risk of the ALCL (lymphoma occurring in capsules around textured devices). Here’s the rub though and how I’m leaning at present…more and more cases of ALCL are arising. We didn’t know to look for it until the last few years. So more cases are being diagnosed which means the risk is ‘increasing’. I think you’ll have to make the decision that helps you feel the most comfortable. Risk a second surgery or risk a rare lymphoma. I’m favoring smooth only implants these days myself.
As for me personally, I will have all of this information with me when I talk to my surgeon. She/he, will be the one that sees me specifically, and will be better situated to discuss the best path for me.
<u>Safety:</u>
This does not pertain to the surgical procedure, or after care, but rather for the safety of the actual product. There are three implant safety issues that seem to be predominant from my research; Capsular Contracture, BIA-ALCL (cancer), and physical failure.
From Wikipedia - Capsular Contracture is a response of the immune system to foreign materials in the human body. Medically, it occurs mostly in context of the complications from breast implants and artificial joint prosthetics.
The occurrence of Capsular Contraction follows the formation of capsules of tightly-woven collagen fibers, created by the immune response to the presence of foreign objects surgically installed to the human body, e.g. breast implants, artificial pacemakers, orthopedic prostheses; biological protection by isolation and toleration. Capsular Contracture occurs when the collagen-fiber capsule shrinks, tightens and compresses the breast implant, much like the collapse of a bubble gum bubble.<sup>[1]</sup> It is a medical complication that can be painful and discomforting, and might distort the aesthetics of the breast implant and the breast. Although the cause of Capsular Contracture is unknown, factors common to its incidence include bacterial contamination, rupture of the breast-implant shell, leakage of the silicone-gel filling, and hematoma.
The placement of the implant under the muscle, as opposed to above the muscle, or the use of textured implants seems to lessen the likelihood of Capsular Contracture.
