Breast Surgery FAQs

For over 17 years our chief plastic surgeon, Dr. Balza Mirabal, has helped patients enhance their appearance and self-confidence with surgical cosmetic treatments. Her natural-looking, high-quality results and compassionate, personalized care have helped him achieve international recognition as a premier plastic surgeon — serving patients throughout Mexico, the United States and Europe.

Breast Surgery FAQs

I don’t want to be too big. Can I choose the size?
At the consultation with our physician, you will be given the opportunity to speak with our professionals regarding implant size. Only you can pick the size you wish to have, as you have surely given this some thought. It is not possible to see how your breast will shape up as it depends on how your tissues stretch with the implants inside and we cannot do that before the surgery. Our surgical team can discuss a way in which you can have a general idea about implant sizes, in the comfort of your home.

My breasts are empty and droopy after breast-feeding. Can I have breast enlargement or do I need breast uplift?
It depends on how much droop you have and where your nipple level is. Generally if there is a lot of droop and you are satisfied with the size of your breasts, a lift will be more appropriate. However with a lift there is significant scarring. If the nipples are not very low but the breasts look a bit empty and a bit sad and droopy a breast implant can perk up the breast and improve the size. Although the nipple levels do not rise with the implants in the breast, the breasts will look fuller and give the appearance of looking
less droopy. A breast enlargement has much less scarring than a breast lift and this is the preferred choice of most patients.

Can I have breast enlargement without scars on my breast?
Yes, the implant can be put in through an incision under the breast, or around the nipple. As far as doing the operation through the belly button, we do not believe this is a good or sensible technique and the results are less controllable. Therefore we do not use the belly button or arm pit approach.

One breast is smaller than the other. Do I have one or both done?
It depends on how much difference there is between the two breasts and whether you want to be bigger anyway. If one breast is really undeveloped and the other of a satisfactory size then enlarging the under developed breast would be the preferred option. Almost all patients are unequal in their breasts in some degree and if both breasts are smaller than desired then the logical thing is to consider enlarging both breasts. With a gel implant, the volume cannot be adjusted but often small differences in the breasts do not have to be made up by different size implants. These situations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

What can the doctor or I do to decrease the risk of hardening of the breast?
Hardening of the breast is the most frequent undesired result. Because the implants are foreign bodies, the body heals around it with a layer of scar tissue. If this scar tissue shrinks around the implant, this increases tension on the implant and it will make the implant feel hard. The implant itself does not change. Massaging techniques will help prevent this. Our physicians have a number of ways to minimize this and will explain this to you.

Can I breast feed after the operation?
Breast enlargement does not interfere with your ability to breastfeed as the implants are always placed behind the breast tissue and not into the breast tissue.

Do I have to change my implants after so many years?                                                             

Because implants are man made devices they do wear over the years. Eventually, given enough time, the covering of the implant may fail. Until such time, there is no need to change the implant. There is no ‘use by date” and you cross your bridges when you come to them.

How will I know when my implant has failed or leaked?
With a gel implant you may not notice any difference as cohesive gel is not absorbed by the body. Sometimes X rays or ultrasound can be helpful investigations. Gel implants will hardly encounter a situation like this one.

Gummy Bear Implants – FAQ’s

What are “gummy bear” breast implants?
Gummy bear breast implants are implants that are made of a high-strength silicone gel. The material is very dense, resulting in a semi-solid form. High strength gel implants have been nicknamed “gummy bears” because, when cut, they adhere just as gummy bear candy would.

What are the benefits of high-strength silicone gel implants?
High-strength gel implants differ significantly from liquid-filled saline and silicone implants, and they offer unique advantages. Because they are semisolid, they maintain their shape and remain in an upright position. Unlike liquid-filled implants, they are not likely to wrinkle, fold or ripple. And liquid-filled implants, when overfilled, can be hard. Gummy bear breast implants feel soft and natural.

Will they look and feel natural?
High-strength gel implants are the next dimension in breast implants. Designed to replicate the look and feel of a natural breast, they are soft to the touch and maintain their shape for a natural, upright appearance.

Are they comfortable?
Many former patients who had previous breast implants say that, in terms of comfort, they cannot feel the high-strength gel implants underneath the skin, but that they could always feel saline implants. In addition, there is no sloshing sound, which can occur with saline implants.

Are they safe?
The international medical consensus is that they will prove to be very safe. Many reputable surgeons across the globe are using this type of implant, and are very happy with the results.

Will I be able to get the size I want?
“Gummy bear” implants are available in a variety of sizes. In fact, at our practice, we recently began testing a super-large size that allows us to achieve cup sizes of “D” to “DD.” This implant size, from 600 to 900 cc, was not available at first, when the implants were new to the market. Prior to the procedure, your surgeon will help you determine the appropriate model to achieve the look you desire.

Get a FREE quote for Breast Implants

Once you click the button you will receive your quote in your email within a few minutes and we will never spam you.