Orange County Plastic Surgeon on Saline Breast Implant Revision

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Laguna Beach, CA – Breast augmentation was the second most popular procedure performed in 2011 according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery statistics. Every year, saline remains a popular choice among women deciding which breast implant suits their personal needs. Dr. Daniel Mills, a plastic surgeon in Orange County, says saline implants can be a great option for those interested in enhancing their breast size and overall body proportions. However, he adds that women need to be aware of the required care and possible revisions that aid in maintaining healthy saline implants. Dr. Mills says every implant has a lifetime, and he feels patients should be informed on how to help prevent a rupture.

“I tell my patients that the life of an implant is about 10 years, depending on different factors. The largest of these factors is if they get a capsular contracture or not. I can’t remember breast implants rupturing in my practice within 10 years without a capsular contracture,” says Dr. Mills. “The ones that do not get a capsular contracture last much longer, as there is no fold failure in the wall from the scar being smaller than the implant, causing it to have a fold in the envelope of the implant.”

Upon capsular contracture, saline implant ruptures can be detected by a sudden loss of volume in the breasts. In order to prevent breakage, Dr. Mills says patients should perform displacement exercises to keep the pocket that contains their implants mobile, allowing the implant to move freely and remain soft. He advises his patients to visit their surgeon for annual exams in order to have photographs taken to determine if the pockets are of an adequate size. He adds that he has cared for patients at his Orange County plastic surgery practice who have had their saline implants for over 30 years due to proper care; however, he says in the majority of cases, women should consider an implant exchange after about 10 years to avoid rupture.

In the event of a rupture, Dr. Mills says patients should exchange their saline implants within two weeks to make sure the pocket does not start to shrink, making replacement of the implant a more extensive surgery. He says once an implant has ruptured, the difficulty of exchange can increase and he may not be able to extract the broken implant and insert the new implant through the original incision. He adds that if a transaxillary approach was used for the initial breast augmentation, a new incision point would defeat the purpose of hiding the scar under the armpit the first time.

Whether interested in an initial breast augmentation or an implant revision procedure, Dr. Mills says patients should always consult a surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and who is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. He adds that according to RealSelf.com survey statistics, patients choosing a surgeon who meets these criteria are, on average, 15% more satisfied with their results than those who choose a non-board-certified doctor.

About Daniel Mills, M.D.

Dr. Dan Mills has practiced plastic surgery in the private sector for over 24 years. As founder of the Aesthetic Plastic Surgical Institute, he performs a number of breast procedures ranging from reductions to augmentations. Dr. Mills is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, along with many other medical organizations. He is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is dedicated to providing patients the highest level of cosmetic care.

The Aesthetic Plastic Surgical Institute is located at 31852 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste. 401, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, and can be contacted by phone at 949-793-9375. Dr. Mills can also be reached online at orangecountybreast.com or facebook.com/danmillsmd.

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