Are Breast Implants a Good Option for You?

Deciding whether or not to get breast implants is very personal and complex.

This is because, generally, there are many factors to weigh regarding your motivations, health, potential risks and benefits, choice of surgeon, cost considerations, and listening to your inner guidance. And so, as you seek the answer to the question, “Are breast implants a good option for you?” it is important to reflect deeply to discern what feels right for you.

Examining Your Core Motivations

Carefully examining why you want implants is crucial. Reflect on whether the desire for them comes from wanting to:

• Boost self-confidence and body image
• Improve sense of femininity
• Enhance sexuality and/or romantic relationships
• Restore their previous appearance after a mastectomy, pregnancy, or breastfeeding
• Correct perceived asymmetry or tuberous breast shape
• Rebuild breast shape after cancer surgery (mastectomy)

Your motivation will guide the decision-making process.

And so if you feel external pressure rather than internal desire, explore addressing the root causes first before opting for a permanent surgical alteration.

If you are trying to recover your self-esteem after cancer treatment, emotional healing may outweigh the typical risks. And if you are hoping to save a relationship, ensure you’re comfortable with your body first.

Evaluating Your Health and Medical History

A thorough health evaluation is essential to determine implant candidacy. Be completely transparent with your doctor, providing family history, current medications, drug allergies, medical conditions, previous surgeries, supplements, exercise routine, diet, alcohol, and tobacco use.

Key health aspects that the doctor will evaluate include:

• Autoimmune disorders - those with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or fibromyalgia face higher rejection/capsular contracture risk
• Clotting disorders - bleeding risks are higher with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, blood clotting abnormalities
• Significant daily medications - those on long-term steroids or chemotherapy face higher complication risks
• Radiation therapy - can impact healing after breast reconstruction post-cancer
• Active smoker - much higher risk of capsular contracture and complications
• Diabetes/obesity/high blood pressure - increased healing challenges

Future pregnancy and breastfeeding plans are also key since implants can impact the ability to exclusively breastfeed infants.

Considering the Pros and Cons

Weighing potential benefits against short and long-term risks provides an important balanced perspective.

Potential rewards

• Enhanced curves and fullness
• Regaining pre-pregnancy or youthful appearance
• Improved size/shape asymmetry between breasts
• Reconstructed breast shape after mastectomy
• Boosted self-confidence in appearance
• Correcting tuberous or underdeveloped breast shape
• Better fit in clothing
• Feeling more feminine and sexy

Potential health risks

• Surgery and anesthesia risks - pain, swelling, bleeding, infection
• Scarring around implant edges under breasts
• Implant rupture over time
• Capsular contracture - scar tissue distorting shape
• Loss of nipple sensation or inability to breastfeed
• Need for MRI screening to check for silent rupture
• Repeat surgeries for replacements or removals
• Implant rejection, infection, or extrusion
• Rare lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) risk
• Sagging/rippling if minimal breast tissue

Make sure you feel surgery will provide psychological and emotional benefits that outweigh altering breasts surgically. Be realistic about results. Implants don't guarantee happiness or fix relationships.

Selecting Your Surgeon Carefully

Surgeon skill level significantly impacts results and risk. Do in-depth research to find an exceptionally qualified, experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with top-notch credentials.

Red flags include unusually low pricing, limited experience, hard sales pressure, or offering new experimental implant types. High-volume surgeons conducting hundreds of successful augmentations are ideal.

Vet potential surgeons thoroughly via:

• Checking certifications on the American Board of Plastic Surgery website
• Verifying medical license is current and disciplinary history
• Reading in-depth online reviews from multiple sites
• Viewing before/after photos to evaluate aesthetic sensibilities
• Consulting hospital quality ratings if surgery is done in a hospital

At consultations, ask questions like:

• How many years have you performed breast augmentations, and what is your specialty?
• May I see a portfolio showing at least 20 before/after cases?
• What percentage of your augmentation patients experienced capsular contracture or needed revisions?
• Which manufacturers’ breast implants do you use and why? What warranty is provided?
• Will I need MRIs to check for silent ruptures, and how often?
• What is the full cost estimate, including fees for the surgical center, anesthesia, implants, follow-up appointments, and any revisions I may need?

Visit two or more surgeons before deciding who to trust. Communicate clearly about expected aesthetics and be confident recommendations align with your anatomy and goals.

Considering Implant Material Safety

The two main implant filler types include saltwater saline or thicker silicone gel for a more natural feel. Both have a silicone outer shell. Smooth round edges tend to provide the most natural shape under the breast tissue with the lowest rippling/wrinkling risk.

In the 1990s, liquid silicone implants were restricted to women in FDA studies due to safety concerns. But in 2006, more cohesive “gummy bear” silicone versions were approved as safer alternatives along with saline. Safety data on modern implant types with warranties continues to be reassuring.

However, implants still have no lifetime guarantee. About 1 in 5 women need removal within 8-10 years due to leakage, capsular contracture, or other complications.

Discuss new generation models like IDEAL® Implant structured saline types with internal shells to mimic silicone feel with saline safety. Get warranty details - if the implant company goes out of business, coverage may disappear. Stay vigilant with regular MRIs and exams for early complication signs.

Recovery, Risks, and Cost Realities

Typical recovery after augmentation involves:

• 1-2 weeks of swelling/bruising
• Not lifting arms overhead for ~month
• No strenuous exercise for ~6 weeks
• Having to wear special after-surgery recovery clothing
• Taking pain meds for the first few days, along with lots of rest

Longer-term implant risks include:

• Capsular contracture tightening scar tissue - up to 20% get this
• Infection risk around the implant - about 2-4% chance
• Silicone leakage into nearby breast tissue – silent leaks common
• Implant rejection or extrusion risk - uncommon but still occurs
• Repeat surgeries are often needed for new implants/adjustments/removals
• Breast lift procedures are frequently required later to re-position implants

Financial costs add up quickly, and may include:

• Surgeon fees - $5,000 to $15,000+
• Anesthesia fees – $1,000 - $3,000+
• Operating room – $2,000 to $10,000+
• Implants (set price for pair) – $1,000 - $4,000+
• Post-op appointments/imaging - $500+
• Medications and surgical garments - $500+

With future MRI scans, replacements, removals/revisions, costs keep mounting over time. Make sure you budget adequately for ongoing implant maintenance.

Listening Intuitively to Find Internal Peace

This very personal decision requires checking both facts and intuitive sense. As you gather information, listen within. If a surgeon or procedure gives you pause, pay attention. Make sure implants align with your hopes and needs rather than just aiming to please others.

Some key intuitive reflection questions include:

• How comfortable do I feel altering my body surgically?
• Am I pursuing implants just to keep a partner happy or to try to save a struggling relationship?
• Do I feel fully supported by loved ones to make the healthiest choice for me right now?
• Will implants boost my confidence levels or just lead to picking myself apart?
• If I knew my body was perfect as it is right now, would I still pursue surgery?

Make sure your inner guidance confirms this is the right step before moving forward. Feel empowered to back out any time self-love whispers “wait” or “stop.” Your comfort and well-being hold utmost priority.

Choosing Your Path with Self-Love

Whether you schedule surgery or not, remember your beauty and worth remain intact regardless of breast size or symmetry. Make choices aligned with soul-deep self-acceptance rather than pressure to measure up to media stereotypes. If you listen closely with compassion to discover your highest good, you can trust your inner wisdom to guide the next steps.