Should I have breast implants?

Let the cosmetic surgery staff at UMass Memorial answer your most frequently asked questions about breast enlargement surgery.
Should I have breast implants?

When is it the best time to get breast augmentation or breast enlargement surgery?

Anyone over the age of 18 can have breast augmentation, but you must be at least 22 years old to get gel implants. However, you should first ask yourself some questions:

  • Are you planning future pregnancies? Breasts often get larger with pregnancy.
  • Do you plan to nurse your babies? Implants may affect your ability to nurse.
  • Do you have realistic expectations? The end result depends on a number of factors, including your general health, chest structure and healing capabilities.

What type of breast implant is best?
Every breast implant on the market today is safe and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Women 18 years of age and older are candidates for breast augmentation with saline implants, whereas women over the age of 22 are candidates for FDA-approved silicone gel implants as well. Gel implants are available to women of all ages having reconstructive surgery.

Both types of implants have a silicone outer shell to enclose the contents. Gel implants tend to look and feel more natural. They are becoming increasingly popular as studies conclude that they are completely safe and do not leak or cause autoimmune disease.

Will I have scars?
Yes, but we do our best to hide them. Breast implants can be inserted either through an incision under the arm, around the nipple or in the fold under the breast. Most women prefer an incision that leaves the least noticeable scar, which often depends on the size and shape of their breasts and nipples.

How do I choose a plastic surgeon?
Your physician should be a board certified plastic surgeon you trust and who makes you feel most comfortable. The plastic surgeons at the Cosmetic Surgery Center at UMass Memorial are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Akyurek is board certified by the Turkish Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

Our plastic surgeons have extensive experience performing complex procedures, including tissue transfer and burn reconstruction. They each volunteer a portion of their time treating children in underdeveloped countries with several types of craniofacial deformities.

Where should I have the surgery?
It is best to have a surgical procedure in a hospital or medical center with a trained staff of anesthesiologists, nurses and support team members. This is optimized when the hospital is a teaching center of excellence.

Of course, you should feel comfortable as well. The Cosmetic Surgery Center at UMass Memorial Medical Center, located on the renovated Hahnemann Campus of UMass Memorial, offers an attractive setting for cosmetic surgery patients.

For more information, please call us at 508-334-5990.