If you are considering consulting one of the perfect yourself plastic surgeons to discuss the options available for breast augmentation and breast enlargement, you may be considering which breast implant may be suitable for you. The following information may be of assistance to you in your search for further information about types of implants available for cosmetic breast enhancement or breast enlargement procedures.

A breast implant is a prosthesis used to enlarge the size of a woman's breasts (known as breast augmentation, breast enlargement, mammoplasty enlargement, augmentation or for other surgical reasons such as plastic surgery to reconstruct the breast (e.g. after a mastectomy; or to correct genetic deformities), or for of male-to-female sex reassignment surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States.

There are two primary types of breast implants: saline-filled and silicone-gel-filled implants. Saline implants have a silicone elastomer shell filled with sterile saline liquid. Silicone gel implants have a silicone shell filled with a viscous silicone gel. There have been several alternative types of breast implants that were developed, such as polypropylene string or soy oil, but these are no longer manufactured.

There are several ways in which the procedure of having breast implants fitted. You plastic surgeon will discuss these in further details with you.

An operation to have breast implants fitted usually takes one to two hours. Breast implants that are fitted for either breast enlargement or breast augmentation may be placed via various types of incisions: Your surgeon will either make cuts in the crease under your breast, around your nipple or towards your armpit.

The implants are inserted into position either beneath the breast tissue or under the chest muscle, depending on which procedure your plastic surgeon has decided is best suited to your individual requirements.

The cuts are closed with stitches (which may be dissolvable) and your breasts are wrapped in a special supportive dressing or support bra.

Fine plastic tubes may be left in each breast for up to 48 hours afterwards. These allow blood and fluids to drain into a bag.

Breast implants generally last for at least 10 years. Over time, some of the advantages of the procedure will be lost and you may need further surgery to replace the implants.

Depending on the level of activity required, patients are generally able to resume normal activity in approximately one week's time. Women who have their implants placed underneath the muscle (sub muscular placement) will generally have a slightly longer recovery time. During initial recovery it is important not to use the arms or strain the body in any way, and to avoid cigarettes. Scars from a breast augmentation surgery will last six weeks or longer and usually begin to fade several months after surgery.

Having breast implants fitted is not a decision that you should make in a hurry. It is important that you make an informed decision together with your plastic surgeon – he or she will help you make a decision which takes into account the potential risks and side effects.

It is important that you have realistic expectations about the results of your breast implants.