Breast Augmentation with Silicone Gel Implants in Raleigh, North Carolina*

This 41-year-old mother of 2 was never completely satisfied with her breast size and after childbirth lost more volume, a condition called involutional hypoplasia. She saw Dr. Lyle for evaluation for breast augmentation. She was offered all options including saline breast implants and silicone gel breast implants including options of submuscular versus subglandular placement. Size selection was assisted by the Crisilix 3D imaging System which helps the patients envision their desired outcome. She chose silicone gel breast implants placed in the submuscular (subpectoral) position which is the most common location That implants are placed. . She wished to be a D cup and had placement of high profile 470 cc smooth wall silicone gel breast implants. Breast implant companies now provide longer warrantees against things like breast implant rupture and even capsular contracture. The materials that have been used have been improved and it has been found that with placement of more cohesive gel-essentially somewhat thicker, that rupture rates have gone down with these new advances. Patients do need to be monitored to detect breast implant rupture. Unlike saline breast implants which simply deflate if they develop a leak, silicone gel does not deflate If they leak.. Often a rupture can be completely asymptomatic. Currently it is recommended to get periodic ultrasound evaluation. MRI is the most sensitive test but costs more and is more difficult to obtain.