Breast Implants are used in breast augmentation (also, augmentation mammoplasty), to:

•Increase breast size
•Enhance the breast shape or to address asymmetry and uneven appearance
•Restore breast volume lost due to breast feeding, weight loss, or pregnancy
•Overcome breast sagging
Breast implants can also be used in breast reconstruction following a mastectomy. In these cases, the implant replaces breast tissue that has been removed due to cancer.

Deciding on Breast Implants
Breast implants is clearly a big, expensive decision. The decision involves a number of factors that you should discuss with a board certified plastic surgeon. In fact, these choices and options are the main discussions you'll see in the RealSelf community.  These topics include:

Breast implant filler:  In the US there are two choices for breast implant fillers: saline or silicone. Saline breast implants are filled after placement using sterile salt water through a small valve located on the surface of the implant. Silicone breast implants are pre-filled with a gel that ranges in consistency from honey to gummy-bear candy.  The U.S. FDA lifted a 14-year ban on silicone implants in November 2006.

Breast implant size: how big should you go is a key question. Many plastic surgeons allow you to "try on" a pair of breast implants to help you visualize a different bust. During a breast implant consultation, doctors typically use visualization software that displays what you may look like with various implant sizes and profiles.

Incision location: all plastic surgeons provide patients with a breast implant surgery plan which includes where they'll make an incision to insert the implant.  The most common incisions are referred to as Trans-Axillary – placing an incision near the apex of the armpit in the natural skin crease; Peri-Areolar – placing the incision around the border of the areola where it meets the lighter skin of the breast, usually around the lower semi-circle of the areola; Inframammary – placement of the incision in the natural fold below the breast, or in the position where the fold is desired after placement of the implants; and, Trans-Umbilical (TUBA) – placement of the implant through a remote incision at the upper border of the belly button.

Breast implant placement:  During surgery the doctors makes a space for the implants, or pocket, behind the breast tissue and above the muscle (sub-glandular) or behind both the breast tissue and the pectoralis major muscle (sub-muscular). Here are the advantages of placing implants over the muscle:

• There could be a more natural-looking shape of the breast (particularly with silicone).
• The recovery is less painful with a shorter recovery time.
• There is no animation distortion when the chest muscles are flexed.

The disadvantages of placing the implants over the muscle are:

• The implants are more visible and palpable, especially with saline implants.
• There is a greater chance of rippling when using saline implants.

Making an Informed Decision

Even though 289,328 women got breast implants last year, up 36% from 2000 (more breast implant statistics), it's important you consider breast implant surgery based on what's right for you. 

The personal stories shared on RealSelf, along with the forums, before and after photos, and expert answers from plastic surgeons are meant for you to build confidence in the right decision.