Plastic Surgeon in Orange County on Importance of Silicone Implant Exchange
August 07 2012 - 8:01AM
Marketwired
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, a
total of 316,848 breast augmentations were performed in 2011. Of
those procedures, 69% used silicone implants. In 2011, Orange
County plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Mills used silicone implants in
90% of his breast augmentation cases. Although a safe and popular
option, Dr. Mills says silicone implants need to be closely
observed and tended to over the years to ensure no breakage or
leakage has occurred. In the late 70's and early 80's, implant
manufacturers advertised silicone breast implants as lifetime
devices. Currently, they are no longer considered lifetime devices,
and according to Dr. Mills, they should be evaluated on an annual
basis to make sure they are not broken or leaking. He adds that at
10 years, patients should consider exchanging them as most implants
remain intact for roughly 10-15 years.
An experienced surgeon, Dr. Mills has been performing breast
augmentations at his Orange County plastic surgery practice since
1988, and says he believes taking preventative measures in regards
to the lifetime of silicone implants can save both time and money
in the future. If a break occurs, he says patients will often be
initially unaware anything has happened. Once a leak forms, the
body begins to detect the increase in silicone and will start to
wall it off, forming a late capsular contracture which is the
creation of scar around the implant. The body uses the scar to
prevent the spread of silicone to other areas. Once a capsular
contracture has formed, Dr. Mills says the scarring will need to be
removed in order to insert a new implant and achieve the most
aesthetically-pleasing results. He adds that exchanging the implant
before a break occurs and scar forms can result in a much simpler
exchange procedure and softer implants.
Patients who proactively exchange their implants often
experience simpler post-surgery recovery periods since the need for
any scar buildup removal can be greatly reduced by implant
exchange. Additionally, he says although breast implants can seem
to still be okay after 10 years, getting them checked by a surgeon
is extremely important in determining whether or not a break or
leak has gone unnoticed.
Women can have their silicone breast implants checked in a
variety of ways. Dr. Mills says the FDA suggests patients should
schedule an MRI to detect any breaks or leaks; however, he has
found in his own practice that when he reviews a mammogram in
conjunction with a physical exam, his accuracy in detecting a leak
or break approaches the accuracy of a more expensive MRI. He says
the near future will hold the opportunity for implants to be
checked using high-definition ultrasound, but as of now he feels a
woman's account of changes to her breasts can be an excellent
method for determining an implant rupture.
When deciding where to get a breast augmentation or silicone
implant exchange, Dr. Mills says patients should always consult a
plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of
Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic
Plastic Surgeons. RealSelf.com survey data recently showed that
patients who chose an American Board Certified Plastic Surgeon were
15% more satisfied than those who did not. He says surgeons meeting
these criteria have a special interest and do a majority of their
work in aesthetic surgery.
About Daniel Mills, M.D.
A graduate of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Dr.
Daniel Mills is the founder and medical director of the Aesthetic
Plastic Surgery Institute. He focuses on cosmetic breast surgeries
while utilizing the most advanced technology and techniques for all
treatments and procedures. Dr. Mills belongs to numerous medical
organizations including the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, the
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the California
Society of Plastic Surgeons among others. He currently serves as
Secretary for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Devoted to continuing his education in the field of plastic
surgery, he is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic
Surgery.
The Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Institute is located at 31852
Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste. 401, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, and can be
reached via phone at 949-793-9375. Dr. Mills can also be contacted
online at orangecountybreast.com or facebook.com/danmillsmd.
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