Breast Augmentation and Liposuction Blog - Dr. Bottger

For breast augmentation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves saline-filled breast implants for women age 18 and older and silicone-filled implants for women age 22 and older. These are age recommendations, not legal restrictions, and teens under age 18 are actually able to get breast augmentation as long as they have parental consent.

There are many reasons why it may be inappropriate for teens to undergo breast augmentation surgery:

• Women's breasts can continue to develop into the 20s, so the breasts they have at age 16 may look completely different at 23.
• Teenagers may not be mature enough to fully understand the potential risks and complications that can arise as a result of breast implants.
• On average, breast implants have a lifespan of 10 years, so getting implants at a young age can possibly require many additional surgeries over the patient's lifetime.
• Breast implants can impede milk production after pregnancy, so women who plan to become pregnant in the future may have difficulties breastfeeding.
• Body image is a hot topic with teenage girls, and some may feel that breast implants will help to make them more popular. This is not a healthy reason to get implants.

According to a February 2009 article, "the Italian Health Ministry is considering banning teenagers from undergoing breast augmentation surgery, citing the health risks" or medical complications that can occur when a woman is not fully mature. For now, there are no age bans in the United States.

The debate over what age is the appropriate age for breast augmentation will continue as long as there is no definitive legal restriction. If you are considering breast implants for your teenager and would like to discuss the decision with Dr. David Bottger, please contact us today for a free breast implant age analysis consultation. We serve patients in Delaware and in and around the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

There is no definitive right or wrong answer when it comes to breast implant placement on the chest. Depending on the patient’s physical characteristics, activity level and the type of implant being used, the patient and surgeon should work together to determine the best placement of the implants to achieve the desired results.

Implant Placement Options

There are several choices when it comes to implant placement:

• Subglandular plane, located under the breast tissue
• Submuscular plane, located under the pectoralis muscle or chest wall
• Dual plane, located under both the breast tissue and pectoralis muscle

Subglandular Plane

This location allows for a very natural appearance and movement, and cleavage can be easily created. However, capsular contracture is often more common in this location and mammography results can be difficult to accurately interpret.

Submuscular Plane

This is the preferred location for saline implants because it is less likely to:

• Show rippling
• Interfere with mammograms
• Cause capsular contracture

Dual Plane

Dual plane placement creates very aesthetically pleasing, natural-looking breasts that have a natural slope to the top of the breasts.

What works well for one patient may not be the right answer for another. Breast implant placement is a very personal decision that should be discussed in depth with your cosmetic surgeon.

If you would like a free breast implant consultation with a reputable cosmetic surgeon to discuss these and other breast implant options, please contact cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Bottger today.

Most women who have breast augmentation surgery from a reputable, experienced cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Bottger are very happy with the results. However, even the most satisfied patients may require implant removal or replacement at some point during the lifetime of the implants, which is on average 10 years.

There are certain circumstances in which implant removal or replacement is essential:

• Implant rupture: Saline implant ruptures are usually very obvious, as the solution will be easily and safely absorbed into the body causing the implant to deflate. Silicone ruptures are not always as evident, which is why occasional testing is recommended to ensure that the foreign substance is not entering the body.
• Capsular contracture: This complication can occur when the tissue lining that forms around the implant begins to shrink and subsequently squeezes the implant. The implant can become hard and painful for the patient as well as visibly distorted.
• Implant rippling: Often occurring in women who have thin, soft breast tissue, implant folds, creases and wrinkles can sometimes be visually apparent. These distortions can be very distressing for the patient.

Other problems that can warrant removal or replacement include:

• Asymmetry
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Poor wound healing
• Breast sagging or drooping

Some women simply wish to return to their “normal” size and request that their implants be removed.

If you are unhappy with your breast implants and are considering removal or replacement, please contact Pennsylvania cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Bottger today for a free consultation to discuss your situation and the options available.

In breast augmentation surgery, one of the decisions that the patient and surgeon must make together is where to place the breast implants on the chest:

• Under the breast tissue, called the subglandular plane
• Under the pectoralis muscle, called the submuscular plane
• Under both the breast tissue and pectoralis muscle, called the dual plane

Each of these locations has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Likewise, some locations are better than others depending on the type of implant being inserted.

A phenomenon called “double bubble” is one breast implant complication that can arise when implants are placed under the pectoralis muscle or on the submuscular plane. If the patient’s breasts begin to sag or droop after the implant is placed, the implant will typically stay in place as the breast tissue drops below. The patient may then be left with what may appear like two breast creases or two breasts.

The double bubble can also occur:

• After a patient has experienced breast sagging after pregnancy and/or breastfeeding
• As a result of capsular contracture, where the scar tissue around the implant begins to constrict, creating painful or hardened breasts
• If the patient has tubular-shaped breasts
• If the patient has a constricted breast crease

Depending on the severity, a double bubble can be corrected by a breast lift, implant removal or replacement.

If you would like to learn more about the potential risks and complications of breast implant surgery, please contact our office today to arrange a breast augmentation consultation with cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Bottger.