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Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is appropriate for women from all walks of life who meet certain basic requirements. Women who do choose augmentation frequently enjoy lasting self-esteem benefits.

• Preparation: Breast enlargement is a major surgical procedure. Before receiving breast implants, patients should thoroughly explore all the options. They should understand the risks and potential of the procedure.
• Good Overall Health: Anyone who undergoes breast augmentation needs to be prepared for the rigors of surgery and recovery. Patients who are affected by certain medical conditions, such as immune disorders, are not good candidates for breast augmentation.
• Age: In most cases, breast enlargement is best for adult women. Teenagers may be able to undergo the procedure in some cases, but should remember that the breasts continue growing into the early 20s, which could make breast implants unnecessary. Only women at least 22 years old can have silicone implants placed.

Patients who have been pressured into surgery by others or who are affected by body image disorders should not have breast augmentation surgery. The procedure is also not appropriate for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Patients undergoing breast lift surgery sometimes choose to add implants in order to enjoy a more thorough transformation than either procedure makes possible on its own. See our plastic surgery before-and-after pictures to see how breast augmentation can benefit your appearance.

About Breast Implants

Choosing the right implants is one of the most important considerations for patients preparing for breast augmentation or breast reconstruction. Dr. Rhodes provides breast enlargement implants in St. George, near Las Vegas, of many different kinds. Before surgery, patients must decide on implant size, shape, and fill material under Dr. Rhodes' guidance.

Implant Size

Breast implants come in many different sizes, allowing patients to choose how much to augment their breasts. It is important to remember that larger breast implants are more difficult to place, more likely to cause complications, and more likely to need revision surgery in the future.

Implant Shape

Breast implants come in two basic shapes: round and teardrop. Round implants create the most dramatic cleavage, but many patients feel that teardrop implants are the most realistic. Teardrop implants must be textured to keep them from slipping or rotating after surgery, which sometimes creates a rippling effect.

Implant Fill Material

Today, breast implants are filled with either saline or silicone. Some patients feel that silicone feels the most realistic, but in the unlikely event of an implant rupture saline is safer for the body. Ruptures are also easier to detect quickly in saline implants. Finally, saline implants can be placed through smaller incisions: they are filled after implantation, while silicone implants must be filled before surgery.