Breast Implants Archives | La Jolla, San Diego

Can Breast Augmentation Help Female Runners?

Whether in parks, on pavement, trails, or treadmill, you love running, maybe competitively, burning calories like crazy. Your high basal metabolism burns still more calories sitting at a desk than the non-runner next to you. As a result, you may also burn body fat with streamlined efficiency, however, you may have noticed that your breasts are looking smaller since they’re made primarily of epithelial tissues and fat.

Some women are fine with a sleek athletic body, but you, along with many female runners, may feel a bit self-conscious about breasts that seem disproportionately small. Maybe you long for some curves to fill out your clothing in the right places.

A breast augmentation may boost your confidence, and Dr. Tim Sayed can help you make the right decision, resulting in a new bustline that enhances your athletic build.

The following considerations allow you to explore the basic breast augmentation options for female runners.

The Right Size of Implant for Your Running Lifestyle

Have you feared that breast augmentation will make running awkward or painful? Selecting the right size of implants is vitally important in addressing this issue. You don’t have to sacrifice a flattering figure for your passion for running.

When implants crowd the natural swing of the arms during a run or other cardio workout, the implant is too large and can cause back pain and awkwardness in running mechanics. Dr. Sayed will find the optimal cup size for your chest proportions to ensure a comfortable stride.

Implant Placement Above or Below the Chest Muscles?

While often implants are placed below the chest muscles (submuscular placement), Dr. Sayed may prefer a subglandular placement above the muscles for runners. This preserves both chest muscle strength and tone for athletic women. Subglandular placement carries an additional benefit of a shorter recovery after the surgery. However, certain under-the-muscle approaches may be preferable for individual body types and lifestyles.

Are Silicone or Saline Implants Better for Running?

The vast majority of women who get breast augmentation choose silicone implants, especially with the newer improvements in consistency and construction. Dr. Sayed agrees and finds that silicone implants provide a more natural display in harmony with the movements of most runners.

Allow Time for Your Procedure

If you need intensive training for an upcoming race, you’ll want to plan your surgery for after the event. For the first two weeks after your breast augmentation, you’ll be limited to short walks of low-intensity. Typically, you’ll need four to six weeks before beginning to re-establish your normal training or fitness regimen.

Dr. Sayed will let you know what you can expect during each phase of your recovery to enable you to maximize this intimate and personal investment in yourself. He is an experienced double board-certified plastic surgeon, proud to call his methodology, “aesthetics done right.”

Contact us with your questions about your breast augmentation at 858-247-2933 for our Newport Beach and San Diego offices.

Dr. Sayed Weighs in on the Allergan Textured Breast Implant Recall

You’ve probably heard that the FDA asked Allergan, the manufacturer of textured breast implants made with Biocell(R) technology, to voluntarily recall these implants from the US market.

After reviewing 573 new cases of ALCL compiled from worldwide data by Medical Device Reports (MDRs), the FDA found that 83% of these patients had Allergan textured implants in place at the time of diagnosis. Of the 33 of these cases that ended in patient death, 92% had Allergan textured implants.

I was concerned on hearing this news because I know there are women without symptoms of the rare ALCL cancer who will be worried about the risk of developing the disease and will want to have their textured Allergan (Biocell technology) implants removed.

If you have any concerns related to your breast implants or further questions, do not hesitate to call 1-858-247-2933.

Who Should Be Concerned?

Historically, plastic surgeons recommended the textured breast implant for a few potential reasons. These include shaped (teardrop) implants, often used in reconstruction for cancer

but sometimes in cosmetic enhancement too. Additionally, some surgeons feel that texturing helps “hold up” the implant in its pocket with less risk of the implant “bottoming out” (dropping.) However, there is some data that textured implants may be at a higher risk of leakage.

Not many women who underwent augmentation in the United States chose the textured breast implant upfront because they are not as widely adopted in the US, whereas textured implants are more commonly used in Latin America and Europe. In recent years there has been an upswing in the use of textured shaped implants for breast cancer reconstruction patients undergoing mastectomy, but not all of these patients have Allergan implants (many surgeons prefer devices by Mentor or Sientra).

All the FDA-approved implant companies in the U.S. that sell silicone implants (Mentor, Allergan, and Sientra) have offered textured implants among the options, but only Allergan’s devices used a process called “Biocell” texturing, which has been demonstrated to increase the risk of ALCL when compared to other companies’ texturing or when compared to smooth (non-textured) implants.

This Biocell material prompted the FDA to advise Allergan to voluntarily remove its textured devices from the US market, after they had already been removed from the European market a few months earlier. Allergan is offering replacement devices with smooth implants for patients wishing to exchange their textured implants under a coverage policy.

Do I Need to Consider Implant Removal?

Yes. Patients who have textured Allergan implants in place should consider removal, although the recall does not specifically recommend removal in patients with no symptoms of ALCL (fluid around the implant, redness in the breast, and other symptoms).

However, I would advise my own family member, if she had a textured Allergan implant, to get it removed. Overwhelmingly the majority of women with textured Allergan implants will never develop ALCL, but patients who DO develop ALCL are usually ones who have Allergan textured devices, so in an abundance of caution it would make sense to exchange the implant, especially if Allergan is offering a free replacement device (this does not mean they will cover all costs of a replacement surgery, like anesthesia, facility or certain surgeon fees).

If you don’t remember which device you received, contact your plastic surgeon who may still have records. For those who received implants many years ago and are unable to get access to their records, I recommend contacting Allergan directly to see if your data is in their implant registry.

Key Takeaways from the Allergan Textured Breast Implant Recall

It is very important to understand that this recall strictly means Allergan will no longer sell its textured Biocell devices. It does not require you to remove or replace yours, but as a plastic surgeon, I’d strongly recommend you consider it.

It is also important to distinguish that ALCL is not the same thing as “Breast Implant Illness,” a nonspecific set of constitutional and other symptoms which may be seen in a small minority of women with smooth or textured, saline or silicone implants.

The recall of Allergan textured implants does not necessarily suggest that Mentor or Sientra textured implants (which use a totally different method to create texture), or any smooth implants from any of the companies, are at imminent risk for recall.

Breast implant illness patients need to make a personal decision regarding removal of their devices and capsules and confer with an experienced plastic surgeon who performs en bloc capsulectomy routinely, in order to learn more about what we understand and don’t understand about Biocell and to discuss options for their personal circumstances.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to call our Newport Beach or La Jolla, CA (858-247-2933) offices or contact us here to schedule a consultation today.

Implant Options

Having options is a great thing. Especially when it comes to customizing your breast augmentation. Dr. Sayed offers different types of implant types, shapes, and textures. With plenty of options, you are sure to find the best implant for your lifestyle and desired aesthetic. Below, is a break down of the selection you can expect to choose from during your consultation.

Why do Breast Implants Need to be Exchanged?

While breast implants are long-lasting, they are not meant to last a lifetime. Whether due to a change in cosmetic taste or a condition like capsular contracture, many women choose to undergo breast revision surgery at some point after their initial augmentation.

Breast revision is a procedure that involves replacing the breast implants or correcting complications and physical irregularities that have developed. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Tim Sayed has performed thousands of these highly specialized procedures to help women feel comfortable with the appearance of their breasts again. Below we’ll be exploring some of the most common reasons why women replace their implants.

Capsular Contracture

Although it’s relatively rare, capsular contracture is a complication that can develop after breast augmentation. Following breast surgery, a capsule of scar tissue naturally forms around the implants. The formation of scar tissue is not necessarily a cause for concern since this is just the body’s natural response to the placement of a foreign object. However, in some cases, the capsule of scar tissue contracts too tightly around the implant. As a result, the breasts become hard and may look irregular.

Capsular contracture can be quite painful. This condition does not resolve on its own and requires surgical release of the scar tissue. After the scar tissue has been surgically removed, many women choose to have a new set of implants placed to maintain their preferred aesthetic.

Implant Rupture

Implant rupture occurs when the implant develops a tear or hole due to physical trauma, normal aging of the implant, compression during a mammogram, damage during a medical procedure, and other factors. When a rupture occurs with a saline implant, the breast will quickly look “deflated,” but the saline can safely be absorbed by the body.

In the case of silicone gel implants, a rupture might not be detected for quite some time because the implants are form stable and maintain their shape. Once a rupture has been confirmed, silicone gel implants must be removed as soon as possible. There is not the same urgency for replacing ruptured saline implants, but since they cause the breasts to rapidly lose volume, most women opt to have them replaced as soon as possible.

During breast revision surgery, Dr. Sayed will remove the ruptured implants from the implant pocket and surrounding tissue. After the breast pocket is cleaned and reshaped, a new set of implants can be placed.

Breast Asymmetry and Other Physical Changes

Aging, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can all cause the breasts to physically change, even if you have implants. These changes may result in breast asymmetry and sagging. Dr. Sayed can treat these changes with a breast revision and lift to restore a balanced, symmetrical appearance to your figure.

In some cases, the old implants can be left in, but most women opt to have a new set of implants placed at the time of their breast lift. Together, a breast revision and lift can fully rejuvenate the breasts and correct the changes caused by aging or pregnancy.

Aging Implants or Change in Taste

As breast implant technology continues to advance, many women are choosing to replace their aging implants. While women were mostly limited to saline implants years ago, today’s options include cohesive silicone gel and contoured implants, which have become popular due to their natural look and feel. Older implants also carry a higher risk of rupturing, which drives some patients to take advantage of improved implant technology. There is no expiration date for breast implants, but it’s generally recommended that patients replace them every ten years or so.

Some women decide to exchange their implants simply because their cosmetic tastes have evolved over time. Your ideal aesthetic in your 20s may no longer reflect your current taste. Breast augmentation is highly customizable, allowing women to attain an appearance that matches their tastes as they age.

When is it Time to Replace Your Implants?

Every patient is different, but you may want to consider changing your implants if you:

Are developing symptoms of capsular contracture, including hardened breasts, breasts that are painful to the touch or have an abnormal appearance
Suspect your implants have ruptured
Have developed implant malposition
Have developed breast asymmetry after pregnancy, aging, or other factors
Are no longer happy with the type of implants you have
Want to change the size, shape, or volume of your breasts

If you’re considering a breast revision in the San Diego or Newport Beach areas, contact Dr. Tim Sayed to schedule your personal consultation. Whether you’d like to change the size of your implants or you’ve developed a complication following breast augmentation, Dr. Sayed can create a personalized treatment plan customized to your needs.

Which Breast Implant Option Is Best for Your Active Lifestyle?

An active lifestyle can shape and sculpt your muscles and eliminate body fat. This does great things for your waistline, arms, and core, but unfortunately, less fat means less breast tissue for many women. If you’ve lost breast volume after losing weight or if you want to increase your breast size, come see us and learn more about breast augmentation. Carefully chosen breast implants can be compatible with your favorite fitness activities including hiking, running, exercise, and even weight lifting.

Breast augmentation can yield stunning results for the active patient but can be challenging due to low levels of body fat, highly developed pectoral muscles, and the physical strain of some activities. Choose your plastic surgeon carefully and follow these tips for the best results. Dr. Sayed is a double board certified plastic surgeon and has worked extensively on patients with low body fat and an active lifestyle. Call today and schedule your consultation.

Saline or Silicone- Which Breast Implant Type Is Best for the Active Patient?

Saline or silicone? Which implant type is best for active patients? Both saline and silicone have advantages and can work well on active patients. We’ll help you choose the best breast implant type for your lifestyle, anatomy, and aesthetic goals during your consultation.

Saline Breast Implants– To place a saline implant, we insert an unfilled flexible silicone shell into the breast through a small incision. It is then filled with a sterile saline solution. Saline implants have a few advantages to silicone implants. They generally cost a little less. They can be placed through a smaller incision. Saline implants are also easier to remove. Unfortunately, saline implants can feel slightly firmer than a silicone implant. In women with little natural breast tissue, this can mean that implants don’t feel as natural. This isn’t always an issue for women with more breast tissue. Saline implants may be less durable than silicone implants.
Silicone Breast Implants– Silicone breast implants are soft and feel natural. They are a popular option for breast augmentation, especially with women that live an active lifestyle. Silicone implants feature a silicone shell that is filled with a silicone gel filling. These implants are placed into breast pre-filled. They require a larger incision than saline implants. One of the biggest advantages of silicone implants are their soft and natural feel. They work well on women with little natural breast tissue since the implant itself feels very similar to a natural breast.
The Ideal Implant- Imagine an implant that offers the benefits of both saline and silicone breast implants. We are pleased to be one of the first plastic surgery practices in the world to offer the Ideal Implant. This unique implant type features two separate chambers that are filled with saline. Its complex, layered construction gives this implant strength, durability, a natural-looking shape, and the ability to move freely and easily. It also offers a high degree of customization, allowing you to achieve your ideal look. This implant is an excellent fit for many of our active patients and may be an excellent option for your breast augmentation.

Implant Placement- Does It Matter?

Breast implants can be placed over or under the pectoral muscle. There are benefits to both approaches and implant placement is important if you live an active lifestyle. We’ll talk in detail about the best option for you. Our goal is to enhance your breast appearance while allowing you to remain active, fit, and easily able to participate in your favorite activities.

Are Smaller Breast Implants Better for the Active Woman?

Ask any woman with large breasts about exercise and they’ll tell you, big breasts can make activity difficult. The same holds true for large breast implants. If you live an active lifestyle, choosing implants that are appropriate for your body size and fitness level is essential. During your consultation we’ll take careful measurements before choosing your implant size. We’ll select an implant that is an appropriate width and projection for your chest wall. Go too big and you may be unable to run, jump, or use the full range of motion of your arms. Go too small and you may be disappointed by your breast appearance. We’ll work with you to find the right balance between breast size and activity levels. Love your look and keep your lifestyle.

Don’t let your active life keep you from the feminine breasts you desire. Carefully selected breast implants can enhance your appearance without interfering with your lifestyle. Call today and schedule a consultation to learn more about your options for breast augmentation.