Introduction
Breast augmentation is a popular cosmetic procedure that has seen a significant rise in demand over the years. Among the various options available for breast implants, Allergan Silimed prostheses have been a well - known choice for many patients. In Albany, understanding the ranking of regular hospitals for Allergan Silimed prosthesis breast augmentation is crucial for individuals considering this procedure. This article aims to provide comprehensive information about Allergan breast implants, the top doctors in Albany for breast augmentation, and other related aspects.
Allergan Breast Implants: An Overview
Company Background
Allergan Inc. is one of the largest breast implant manufacturers in the world. It started selling breast implants in 2006, and in May 2020, AbbVie acquired Allergan and its aesthetics portfolio. Its biggest markets are the United States, Canada, and Latin America. The flagship breast implant brand of Allergan is Natrelle, but it also previously sold implants under its subsidiaries Inamed and McGhan (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Types of Allergan Breast Implants
Allergan offers a variety of breast implant brands and models:
- Biocell Textured Saline and Silicone - filled Implants and Tissue Expanders: These implants have a textured surface. However, in July 2019, the FDA requested Allergan to voluntarily recall its textured breast implants after data linked them to hundreds of cancer cases and a dozen deaths. The company issued a worldwide recall (Drugwatch, n.d.).
- Natrelle Inspira Smooth Round Gel Implants: Smooth - shelled implants filled with silicone gel, which allow the implant to move under the skin or muscle, mimicking the movement of natural breast tissue.
- Natrelle Inspira Textured Round Gel Implants: Despite the recall of textured implants in general, understanding the characteristics of these types is important for historical context. The textured surface allows tissue to grow into the implant, keeping it in place.
- Natrelle 410 Anatomical Gel Implants: Designed to mimic the curve of a natural breast, these anatomical implants are shaped like a teardrop.
- Natrelle Saline - filled Smooth Round Implants: Filled with sterile saline (saltwater solution), they are FDA - approved and typically less expensive than silicone implants. The volume of these implants can be easily adjusted after insertion.
- Natrelle Saline - filled Textured Implants: Similar to the other saline - filled implants but with a textured surface. After the recall, they are no longer in the market.
- Natrelle 133 Tissue Expanders and Natrelle 133 Plus Tissue Expanders: These are used in reconstruction surgery. Doctors or nurses slowly fill them with saline over several weeks or months to stretch the skin and muscle to create a pocket for a more permanent implant. The Natrelle 133 tissue expanders are made of a silicone shell and have a textured surface to prevent movement (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Composition of Allergan Breast Implants
Allergan breast implants have an outer shell of silicone elastomer, a type of silicone with elastic properties similar to rubber. These shells can be filled with silicone gel or sterile saline (Drugwatch, n.d.).
The choice between saline - and silicone - filled implants depends on several factors. “In addition to cost differences, saline - and silicone - filled implants may lead to different clinical outcomes. Ultimately, the choice of implant for breast augmentation or reconstruction is also influenced by the preferences of both the surgeon and the patient,” says Samuel Sarmiento, M.D., MPH, MBA (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Differences between Smooth and Textured Implants
Smooth Implants
Most implants are smooth. Smooth shells allow the implant to move under the skin or muscle, mimicking the movement of natural breast tissue. This can provide a more natural feel and movement of the breasts (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Textured Implants
Textured shells allow tissue to grow into the surface of the implant and keep it in place. However, health regulators have linked Allergan's textured implants to a rare type of cancer called breast implant - associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA - ALCL), which is a type of non - Hodgkin lymphoma. In July 2019, the FDA found that Allergan's Biocell textured implants had a higher risk of BIA - ALCL, and the company announced a worldwide recall of its textured implants and advised surgeons not to use them. Some patients who used Allergan's textured implants and developed BIA - ALCL filed lawsuits against the company (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Determining Cup Size and Implant Size
Cup Size vs. Implant Size
Women who want a larger cup size will generally require a larger implant. However, breast implant sizes don’t correspond directly to bra cup sizes because the size and shape of the woman’s chest determine the actual cup size. Instead, Allergan measures its implants by the height and width of the implant, how far the implant projects from a woman’s body, and the amount of silicone or saline it contains in cubic centimeters (cc) (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Implant Size Considerations
Larger implants may cause more problems. Implants that are too large may lead to more complications and premature sagging. For example, Natrelle silicone breast implants range from 80cc for smaller implants to 800cc for the largest size. The surgeon needs to determine whether there is enough tissue to cover the implant. Sometimes, if there isn’t enough skin to cover the implant, its edges may be visible after the operation. Large implants may also pull down on the skin, causing breasts to sag earlier. Allergan’s studies showed that some complications were more likely to occur in women with larger implant sizes, according to their breast augmentation brochure (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Allergan Breast Augmentation Surgery
Procedure Overview
Primary augmentation refers to the first surgery someone undergoes to increase breast size. Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure that uses general anesthesia. The operation may take anywhere from one hour to several hours depending on the patient and the implant. If a patient has a lot of excess skin, the surgeon may also perform a breast lift at the same time as placing the implant (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Implant Placement
There are two main ways a doctor may place the Natrelle implant:
- Submuscular Placement: The surgeon places the implant under the chest muscle (pectoralis). This technique can reduce the risk of capsular contracture, which occurs when scar tissue squeezes the implant, causing pain, hard and misshapen breasts, and putting women at risk for implant rupture. Placing the implant under the chest muscle also makes breast tissue easier to see in mammograms and is preferred in women with weakened or thin breast tissue. However, surgery and recovery are longer and may be more painful, and reoperation may also be more difficult (Drugwatch, n.d.).
- Subglandular Placement: The surgeon places the implant on top of the muscle and under the breast glands. This method has a greater likelihood of capsular contracture and makes it more difficult to see breast tissue in mammograms. Women with thin or weakened breast tissue might not do well with this surgery. But in general, the surgery and recovery may be shorter and less painful, and it is easier to perform revision surgery on these implants (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Incision Location
There are three common incision sites for Allergan silicone implants:
| Incision Site | Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Periareolar | Around the nipple | More concealed | Higher likelihood of breastfeeding problems, higher risk of change in sensation in nipple, higher risk of infection |
| Inframammary | In the breast fold | Fewer breastfeeding difficulties, best access and control of implant pocket, most commonly used by surgeons | Less concealed |
| Transaxillary | Under the arm | Fewer breastfeeding problems | Less concealed, more difficult, may increase risk of damage to and unexpected location of implant |
Recovery
Women generally feel tired and sore for several days following the operation. As the skin adjusts to the implant, there may be discomfort and tightness. Swelling can decrease feeling in the nipple and breast after surgery. In most cases, women can return to work a few days after breast augmentation, but they should not do anything strenuous. Recovery may involve using a special bra or other support to help speed up healing, and some women may need pain medication infusion devices (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Reconstruction Surgery with Allergan Breast Implants
Women who have lost tissue because of mastectomy or trauma may use Allergan’s Natrelle implants for immediate reconstruction surgery or delayed reconstruction surgery. In the case of immediate reconstruction, surgeons will perform the mastectomy and put in the breast implant at the same time. Delayed reconstruction requires another operation but gives the woman time to evaluate the cancer risk and get healthier for another surgery (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Surgeons typically perform reconstruction surgery in two stages. First, they place a tissue expander in the chest to stretch the skin and muscle and create a breast pocket, which usually takes four to six months. Then, the surgeon removes the expander and places the implant in the pocket created by the expander (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Complications and Safety Precautions
Complications
Like any surgery, breast augmentation has its risks. The FDA classified breast implants as class III, high - risk devices. Key complications in studies included reoperation, implant removal with or without replacement, implant rupture with silicone - filled implants, implant deflation with saline - filled implants, severe capsular contracture (scar tissue squeezes implant), asymmetry, nipple, breast, skin sensation changes, scarring, wrinkling/rippling (folds of implant are visible through skin). Allergan found that 49 percent of primary augmentation patients and 64 percent of revision - augmentation patients will have at least one complication within 10 years of surgery, including reoperation. Other complications that occurred during Allergan’s study included implant malposition, nipple complications, abnormal scarring, breast pain, swelling, fluid accumulation, hematoma, and delayed wound healing (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Safety Precautions
Women with breast implants will require monitoring and care for the rest of their lives to detect possible implant ruptures, which requires an MRI every two years the implant remains in the body. If an implant is removed and not replaced, undesirable changes to the breast may be permanent, including dimpling, puckering, or wrinkling. Women who wish to nurse should know that breast implants can affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed. Women should tell all health care providers who treat them about their implants to reduce the risk of damaging the implant. Allergan requires surgeons and patients to sign the “Acceptance of Risk and Consent to Surgery” form before breast implant surgery and recommends women wait one or two weeks and think about whether breast augmentation is something they truly wish to do (Drugwatch, n.d.).
Best Doctors for Breast Augmentation in Albany
Finding a skilled and experienced doctor is crucial for a successful breast augmentation procedure. Healthgrades found 155 doctors who perform breast augmentation in Albany. Here are some of the top - rated doctors:
| Doctor's Name | Rating (out of 5) | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Susan Gannon, MD | 4.60 | 455 Patroon Creek Blvd Ste 101, Albany, NY 12206 |
| Dr. Gabriel Kaufman, MD | 4.70 | 317 S Manning Blvd Ste C364, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Todd Beyer, MD | 4.80 | 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Meera Menon, MD | 4.40 | 50 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Jonathan Canete, MD | 4.90 | 50 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Francis Cullen, MD | 4.80 | 5 Palisades Dr Ste 110, Albany, NY 12205 |
| Dr. Jerome Chao, MD | 4.30 | 13 Century Hill Dr, Latham, NY 12110 |
| Dr. Edward Lee, MD | 4.50 | 50 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 |
| Dr. Matthew McDonald, DO | 4.90 | 7 Southwoods Blvd Ste 2, Albany, NY 12211 |
| Dr. Eugene Hoffert, MD | 4.90 | 250 Delaware Ave Ste 207, Delmar, NY 12054 |
Choosing the Right Hospital and Doctor for Allergan Silimed Prosthesis Breast Augmentation in Albany
When considering Allergan Silimed prosthesis breast augmentation in Albany, several factors should be taken into account:
- Doctor's Experience and Reputation: Look for doctors with a high number of successful breast augmentation procedures and positive patient reviews. The ratings provided by Healthgrades can be a good starting point to identify experienced doctors.
- Hospital Accreditation and Facilities: Ensure that the hospital where the surgery will be performed is accredited and has state - of - the - art facilities. Accreditation by organizations like the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers can be a sign of quality care.
- Communication and Consultation: A good doctor will take the time to understand your goals, answer all your questions, and provide personalized advice. During the consultation, discuss the type of implant, size, placement, and potential risks and complications.
- Cost: The cost of breast augmentation can vary depending on the hospital, doctor, and type of implant. Make sure to get a detailed cost estimate and understand what is included in the price.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Allergan Silimed prosthesis breast augmentation is a popular procedure, but it is not without risks. Understanding the different types of Allergan breast implants, the surgical process, potential complications, and safety precautions is essential for anyone considering this procedure. In Albany, there are several highly - rated doctors who can perform breast augmentation using Allergan implants. By carefully choosing the right doctor and hospital, and having realistic expectations, patients can increase the chances of a successful and satisfying breast augmentation outcome.
If you are considering Allergan Silimed prosthesis breast augmentation in Albany, we encourage you to do further research, schedule consultations with multiple doctors, and ask all the necessary questions. Share this article with others who may be interested in this topic, and explore
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