Breast Implants

What are breast implants?

Breast implants are silicone or saline devices that fit beneath your breast tissue or chest muscles to enhance the shape and size of your breasts.

Implants are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and dimensions that custom fit your specific needs and are used for both breast reconstruction surgery and breast augmentation.

Which breast implant is right for me?

Each type of breast implant has its own advantages. To determine which implant is best for you, Dr. Lynch takes the time to discuss your personal needs and desired outcome. He also helps you make the decision based on your body type and the type of surgery you’re having, such as:

• Reconstruction
• Augmentation
• Reshaping
• Rebalancing symmetry

Once you decide on your implant type, Dr. Lynch customizes a surgical plan just for you. He uses the latest surgical techniques and high-quality breast implants to help you achieve your desired cosmetic outcome.

Are breast implants safe?

Advancements in breast implants ensure the materials are safe and effective. The implants available at Matthew J. Lynch MD Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, including products from ALLERGAN® and MENTOR®, have the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Saline breast implants

Saline implants contain an outer shell that’s made of durable silicone. These implants are filled with a sterile saline solution, or salt water after the implants are put into place surgically.

Silicone breast implants

Silicone implants come prefilled with a form stabilized cohesive silicone gel. This type of implant is often lighter and feels more natural than a saline implant.

In addition to providing you with natural-looking, natural-feeling breasts, Dr. Lynch will also address concerns regarding risks and incidents of breast implant illness and breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). 

What is breast implant illness?

Breast implant illness describes a wide range of symptoms that can develop following a breast augmentation or breast reconstruction surgery with silicone implants. These symptoms may include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Joint pain
• Breathing issues
• Memory problems
• Sleep disturbance
• Gastrointestinal problems

Often, these symptoms are the result of an autoimmune or inflammatory response to the materials of the breast implant.

Dr. Lynch will review in-depth, your symptoms, and design a treatment plan which in some cases, may include the removal of the breast implant.

What is BIA-ALCL?

Breast Implant Associated - Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA – ALCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) associated with textured breast implants.  In most cases, BIA – ALCL is found in the capsule or scar tissue and fluid around a breast implant.     BIA – ALCL is not cancer of the breast tissue. 

The symptoms of BIA –ALCL include persistent swelling of the breast, which may present as fluid collecting around the breast implant (Seroma).  Sometimes there is also the presence of pain or a mass or palpable capsule (thick scar).  These symptoms typically can present more than 8 years after breast implant surgery.

There is growing body evidence regarding the overall number of BIA –ALCL cases, as well as the factors that may increase the risk of BIA-ALCL.  The most recent data from the FDA suggests an increased incidence of BIA –ALCL in patients with a textured surface breast implant versus a smooth surface implant.   The textured surface is believed to play a role in the increased long term inflammatory response to microorganisms.  This inflammatory response is one of the factors that may cause ALCL. 

The risk of developing BIA –ALCL is very low, and it is not possible to predict who will develop BIA – ALCL.  However this can become a cancer requiring more aggressive treatment, if not treated promptly.  For most patients, it is treated successfully with surgery to remove the implant and surrounding capsule (thick scar) and no additional treatment is required.

 Dr.  Lynch will review with each patient the known risks and incidence related to BIA –ALCL and breast implant selection.     Dr.  Lynch will review in detail with each patient who currently has a textured breast implant, considerations for her individual risk, as well as recommendations for review of additional data and or removal of the implant and capsule. Dr.  Lynch is dedicated to providing current and reliable information regarding BIA – ALCL and supporting each patient based on her own needs and consideration of the risks involved.

When removal or exchange of the implant for a smooth implant is recommended, Dr. Lynch is technically expert in, and committed to, a total periprosthetic capsulectomy (removal of the entire capsule around the breast implant) for the most reliable pathology findings and individual peace of mind.   

To discuss your options for saline or silicone breast implants for reconstructive or augmentation surgery, call the office of Matthew J. Lynch MD Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, or request a consultation online today.