Women opt for breast implants for a wide variety of reasons. Some women want to fix their flat or asymmetrical boobs, whereas others simply want to perk up their natural assets. Boob jobs have been subject to a great deal of scrutiny and bad press lately, and you may be having second thoughts about having cosmetic surgery at all.

Although the insertion of breast implants is safer than ever before, mostly due to the level of highly competent and trusted cosmetic surgery clinics opening. Here are some of the essential things to consider prior to booking in for your boob job.

There is a Time Limit

Once you’ve had your breast implants placed, they will not be your permanent companions. Although the time limit varies with the individual, most implants last no longer than ten years. This means that if you are in your mid-twenties when you get your first boob job, you’re likely to have to pay another five or more times to get replacements through your lifetime. In addition, consider that if you want to have your implants removed, your breasts will not go back to their natural shape.

There are Two Types of Implant

Silicone implants and saline implants are the two main varieties in use today, and they differ in important ways. Silicone implants come pre-filled with a substance that mimics the breasts’ natural composition. The major risk associated with silicone implants is that this silicone filler may leak out into the body. Saline implants are filled (or inflated) with saline solution after placement. They are prone to becoming flat or misshapen, and both of these issues will require additional treatment.

You Get To Choose Your Incision

Obviously, breast implants can only be placed via a cut or incision. The size of the incision will be determined in part by which type of implant you choose. If you opt for saline implants, your choices include: an areola incision (around the nipple), an inframammary incision (under the arm), a transax incision (in the crease of the breast), or TUBA, which involves an incision in the bellybutton. Although the scars will fade with time, they will never disappear completely.

There Are Several Major Risk Factors

As with any type of surgery, the placement of breast implants is associated with several risks. The immediate concern is a wound infection, but lack of sensation in the nipple and breast, excessive scar tissue, and malformations can occur later in rare cases. All patients who receive breast implants are warned that surgery may be required to related problems in the future.

Mammograms Become More Difficult

There is no evidence to suggest that breast implants can cause breast cancer or delay the detection of breast cancer. However, a small proportion of women who have had breast augmentation surgery report discomfort during the mammogram. In addition, more pictures of the surgically enhanced breasts are needed because a greater percentage of the natural breast is hidden from view. After surgery, women are advised to follow the same mammogram schedule as they did prior to the augmentation.

Breast implants are fun, sexy, and can offer a much-needed confidence booster to women who constantly feel dissatisfied with their boobs. However, it is important to consult with a certified surgeon to find out if you are a viable candidate for this type of surgery.