Discover our technical expertise and creativity dedicated to breast augmentation surgery in Switzerland.

   On this page you will find useful information on breast prostheses and implants.. We then invite you to discuss your project during a medical consultation at Quai Perdonnet 3 – 1800 VEVEY or at Avenue Mon-Repos 14 – 1005 LAUSANNE.

   In consultation with Doctor Stéphane Smarrito, time will be taken to answer all your questions, with professionalism and kindness! We can then consider together the implementation of your breast augmentation operation after having made the best choice for your breast prostheses.

BREAST PROSTHESES, CHOICES and QUESTIONS

What is breast augmentation using breast prostheses?

Questions about breast prostheses

• Will the operation prevent me from breastfeeding in the future?
•  Again, the answer is no. Modern intervention techniques make it possible to safely preserve the integrity of the mammary gland and milk ducts. The sulcus incision allows the insertion of implants without any risk for the baby's lactation organs, so you can take care of your baby without any difficulty and in a completely natural way.

• Is it true that implants can alter mammogram results?
• Fortunately, the material of the implants poses no problems during breast cancer screening tests, such as mammography or breast ultrasound. The test results will be absolutely clear and will not be compromised in any way, as I want to make it clear that the overall health of patients should always take priority over any form of cosmetic surgery.

• Do breast prostheses deteriorate over time?
• The Motiva prosthetics we use have a lifetime warranty! Yes, breast prostheses deteriorate. Like any natural material, implants are also subject to an aging process that causes them to slowly deteriorate over time. The prostheses have an average lifespan of 25 years. At the end of this period, they are normally replaced.

• How do I know when I need to replace my breast implants?
• To avoid any misunderstanding, I recommend carrying out a check-up visit every year after the procedure, to ensure that the implants are still perfectly intact and consistent with the evolution of the patient's body. During these visits it is possible to ensure the health of the breasts, while after 10 years of the operation an ultrasound must be carried out to check the condition of the prosthesis and understand the appropriate time for its replacement.

• Is there a risk that breast implants will rupture and release silicone into the body?
•  This risk has existed in the past, but today the answer is categorically no. Modern implants are still developed with silicone gel as in the past, but today it is a highly cohesive gel, giving it a “gel-like” internal consistency. This allows it, even in the event of external rupture, not to release liquid, but to retain its shape thanks to the high density of the gel, making it an absolutely safe solution.

• Doctor Smarrito, but then the implants cannot break in any way!
•  This is not true, although the possibility is rare and limited. Prostheses are completely safe under normal conditions, but in the event of serious and severe trauma, as can happen in a car accident, even the latest generation materials are not able to withstand the impact and would inevitably end up be damaged, in a manner equivalent to what happens to a bone in the body in the event of violent trauma. Obviously, such a circumstance represents an extreme case, but in such situations replacement is necessary. On the other hand, I confirm that normal trauma cannot present a danger to the integrity of the prosthesis and your health.

• After the operation, can I do sports without problem?
•  Yes, you can return to sports one month after the operation. The postoperative rest period is essential to obtain an optimal result and avoid complications due to the displacement of a prosthesis caused by trauma or sudden movement. Prostheses do not prevent the correct and natural practice of sport, even at a competitive level, but it is essential to point this out to the surgeon during the first visit in order to choose the prosthesis best suited to the needs of each patient. See our page on the subject in 1 click > Sport after breast augmentation

• Doctor, can I have surgery at any age?
•  Technically, the operation can be performed at any age, but my professional advice is to necessarily wait until at least the age of 18, or even a little later, in order to have absolute certainty that the development of the body is complete. . Intervening on a body still subject to natural modifications would carry a great risk for the final aesthetic result, because the breasts would risk altering their proportions and their positioning compared to what was planned in the preoperative phase in a few years, which would result in the need for a new corrective operation.

• Does the installation of prostheses present general risks?
•  Surgery, like any operation performed in an operating theater, presents by definition the slightest possibility of risks, but these are very controllable and not serious for the general health of the patient. Regarding breast augmentation, the most common risk concerns the possibility that, in the months following the operation, the biological system rejects the breast prosthesis, recognizing it as an external body, encapsulating it in a membrane which causes an inflammatory response and deformation of the prosthesis itself. This circumstance occurs in 2-3% of cases and cannot be predicted or prevented in any way, it depends only on the biological nature of my patient, but even in this case there are no health risks , but it will be necessary to intervene with the replacement of the prosthesis and the insertion of a new one. In this circumstance, the risk of rejection is minimized through the use of techniques and materials specially developed for replacements due to encapsulation.

Breast prostheses available on the European market can be classified according to different criteria such as filling material, shape, surface texture, and their durability.

Here is an overview of the main categories of breast prostheses:

• Silicone implants: These implants are the most popular because they feel more like natural breast tissue. Silicone implants can vary in gel cohesiveness (from softer to firmer).
• Saline implants: Filled with saline solution, these implants are generally less expensive than silicone ones and can be adjusted in size during surgery. However, they are often considered to have a less natural feel and may have a higher risk of rippling (wave effect).
• Structured Implants: These implants attempt to combine the benefits of saline and silicone implants. They use an internal structure to make the implant feel more natural while being filled with saline.
• Anatomical or teardrop implants: These implants have a shape that more naturally mimics the profile of a natural breast, with more fullness at the bottom than at the top. They are often chosen for post-mastectomy breast reconstructions.
• Round implants: These can give a fuller appearance to the upper breast and are often used for cosmetic breast augmentations.
• Textured Implants: These implants have a rough exterior surface designed to minimize movement of the implant within the breast and reduce the risk of capsular contracture, a complication where the fibrous capsule around the implant begins to contract.
• Smooth implants: They have a smooth outer surface and are often more mobile in the breast, which can provide a more natural appearance in some cases.

The rules governing the use of breast implants in Europe are strict. Products must meet European Union safety standards and obtain the CE mark, which certifies that the product complies with regulatory requirements. After incidents involving substandard or unsafe implants in the past, oversight and regulation have been stepped up to ensure patient safety.

When selecting a breast prosthesis, it is important to discuss with a qualified plastic surgeon who can advise on the best choice based on individual needs and expectations.

The message from Doctor Stéphane SMARRITO

Article written by the Doctor Stéphane Smarrito breast augmentation specialist