For as long as breast augmentation has been around, rumors have circulated through the community, scaring and discouraging women from looking more into this life-changing procedure. These myths are telling women, “You can’t breastfeed after implants” or “they always look so fake,” when in reality, these are nothing more than common misconceptions. Therefore, I’ve compiled a guide on breast augmentation misconceptions to address patient concerns and popular FAQs.
For women who are considering breast augmentation, it is important to learn the difference between the FACTS and these myths, which is why Dr. Castor and our entire team at Artisan Aesthetics Plastic Surgery & Laser Center wish to debunk some of the more common rumors going around today.
Breast Augmentation Myths Busted – The Key Takeaways
In the world of cosmetic surgery, few procedures are surrounded by as many misconceptions as breast augmentation. As board board-certified plastic surgeon, I believe patients deserve accurate information to make informed decisions about their bodies. This guide addresses common myths about breast augmentation and provides evidence-based facts to help you understand what this procedure truly entails.
- The Breastfeeding Dilemma: Can You Breastfeed After Breast Implants?
- What Breast Augmentation Does?
- Real or Fake: How Natural Can Breast Augmentation Results Look?
- Breast Augmentation Myths Busted – Don’t Believe the Myths Any Longer.
- Myth #1: Breast Implants Should Be Replaced Every 10 Years.
- Myth #2: Breast Implants Cause Autoimmune Diseases.
- Myth #3: Recovery is Extremely Painful and Lengthy.
- Myth #4: Breast Augmentation Prevents Accurate Mammograms.
Breast Augmentation Myths Busted – Popular Misconceptions
1. The Breastfeeding Dilemma: Can You Breastfeed After Breast Implants?
For young women who wish to improve their overall proportions with breast implants, the idea of completely taking away the option for breastfeeding can be daunting. However, it is just a myth that you cannot breastfeed after breast augmentation.
Many women choose to wait until after having children to get their implants. Not because of the misconceived inability to breastfeed, but because pregnancy and breastfeeding can alter the shape, size, and appearance of the breasts. If you’re worried about the fact that breast augmentation will eliminate their ability to breastfeed in the future. This concern deserves careful consideration.
The Scientific Evidence
- Most women with breast implants can successfully breastfeed.
- Pre-existing anatomical factors that might affect breastfeeding remain regardless of augmentation.
- Implant placement typically has minimal impact on milk production when placed beneath the chest muscle.
- Incision location matters: periareolar incisions (around the nipple) may have a higher risk of affecting milk ducts and nerves important for lactation.
Dr. Castor stresses this does not imply that breastfeeding after breast augmentation is unachievable or that women are unable to do so. If breastfeeding in the future is important to you, make sure you tell Dr. Castor during your initial consultation, as he will consider that when placing the implants.
2. What Breast Augmentation Does?
Believe it or not, there are even misconceptions about what breast augmentation is intended for. Many women believe breast augmentation solely involves increasing breast size by a couple of cup sizes. However, the procedure encompasses far more than just enhancing the dimensions of a woman’s breasts.
Breast augmentation is about enhancing your proportions by also improving the shape of your breasts and ensuring that the movement and feel of the implant are as natural as possible.
Dr. Castor will take into consideration your current body proportions, your breast shape, and your chest size. As well as breast tissue, we will decide together with you about what size, shape, and type of implant will work best for your lifestyle. Besides this, understanding the realistic capabilities of breast augmentation helps establish appropriate expectations for surgical outcomes.
The Facts
- It may enhance body confidence for many patients.
- The procedure can improve symmetry between breasts.
- Breast augmentation can increase volume and improve proportion.
- The procedure can regain fullness that may have diminished following childbirth or significant weight fluctuations.
What It Cannot Do
- Guarantee a specific cup size outcome.
- Prevent normal aging changes in breast tissue.
- Correct major asymmetry without additional techniques.
- Significantly lift severely drooping breasts (a breast lift may be needed).
3. Real or Fake: How Natural Can Breast Augmentation Results Look?
The media likes to openly mock implants and the women who receive them, but the truth of the matter is YOU get to decide who knows about your procedure and who does not.
A common belief exists that breast implants inevitably appear fake or unnatural. This notion is inaccurate. Modern surgical techniques and implant technology have evolved significantly.
Factors Affecting Natural Appearance
- Surgical technique and surgeon expertise.
- The implant size is proportional to the body frame.
- Pre-existing breast tissue (more tissue can help camouflage implant edges).
- Implant type (silicone gel implants typically look and feel more natural than saline).
- Implant placement (submuscular placement often creates more natural contours).
When properly selected and placed by an experienced surgeon, today’s implants can create results that complement a patient’s natural anatomy. The “obvious implant” look is often the result of selecting sizes disproportionate to the patient’s frame or inappropriate implant placement.
At Artisan Plastic Surgery, Dr. Castor’s knowledge and expertise will help make your breast augmentation results as natural as possible. Nevertheless, he will carefully place the implants and give his recommendation for shape and size in order for your overall appearance to feel effortless and natural. We also want to remind you that the results from breast augmentation aren’t “fake.” Our patients experience REAL confidence and REAL improvements to their breast shape and size.
Breast Augmentation Myths Busted – Don’t Believe the Myths Any Longer
Other common misconceptions about breast augmentation include:
Myth #1: Breast Implants Should Be Replaced Every 10 Years
Fact: Implants do not last forever, but there is no set timeframe for when they must be replaced. The FDA recommends MRI screening for silent rupture of silicone implants beginning 5-6 years after placement and then every 2-3 years, but replacement is only necessary if problems develop. Learn more about breast implants’ safety, risks, and long-term considerations.
Myth #2: Breast Implants Cause Autoimmune Diseases
Fact: Broad scientific studies have not proven a direct link between breast implants and autoimmune diseases. However, research continues to monitor uncommon conditions like Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Gain insights into Dr. Castor’s guide on “Do Breast Implants Cause Cancer? and “Breast Implant Illness (BII) Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment” in Tampa, Florida.
Myth #3: Recovery is Extremely Painful and Lengthy
Fact: Most patients experience moderate discomfort for 3-5 days, with significant improvement within a week. Many return to non-strenuous work within 1-2 weeks. Discover more about breast implants’ pros, cons, types, and lifestyle impacts.
Myth #4: Breast Augmentation Prevents Accurate Mammograms
Fact: While implants can make mammography more technically challenging, specialized displacement techniques allow for effective screening. Always inform your mammography technician about your implants.
The Personalized Complimentary Consultation in Tampa Bay, Florida
Making decisions about cosmetic surgery requires accurate information. By dispelling these common myths, we hope to provide a clearer understanding of breast augmentation’s capabilities, limitations, and considerations. As with any surgical procedure, consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is essential to address your specific circumstances and goals.
We hope you can see the truth behind breast augmentation, or at least with regard to these three common myths. If you are interested in breast augmentation at Artisan Plastic Surgery in Tampa or New Tampa, Florida, today is the perfect time to schedule your initial consultation.
