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This is an interesting conglomeration of facts, published onTBO.com (http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/mar/17/171510/brief-history-breast-implant) on March 17, 2010

Despite its litigious history, breast implant surgery is the most popular surgical cosmetic procedure in the country.

Here are some events that have kept breast augmentation in the news throughout history:

1890s: The first surgical breast augmentation procedure is performed with paraffin wax injections, resulting in infections and lumps. By the 1920s, the practice is discontinued.

1895: German surgeon Vincenz Czerny is known as “the father of cosmetic breast surgery” for reconstructing a woman’s breast by transferring fatty tissue from the belly and buttock areas into the breast. The procedure isn’t very successful because the body quickly reabsorbs most of the fat, leaving the breast lumpy and lopsided.

1940s: During World War II, Japanese prostitutes have silicone liquid injected into their breasts to appear more voluptuous, causing health problems and death. Even so, the procedure catches on and spreads to the United States before the practice is banned.

1950s: Well-endowed Hollywood icons Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner and Lana Turner help make the bombshell’s hourglass shape popular, causing many women to turn to padded bras and augmentation to keep up.

1961: Surgeons Frank Gerow and Thomas Cronin develop the first silicone breast implant with the Dow Corning Corp.

1962: Timmie Jean Lindsey, a 30-year-old mother of six, visits a Houston Hospital to have a pair of floral tattoos removed from her breasts and becomes the first woman to get silicone breast implants.

1965: A surgeon develops the first saline-filled breast implants in France.

1977: A woman wins a $170,000 settlement from Dow Corning for pain and suffering after her breast implants rupture.

1980s: Ralph Nader’s Public Citizen Research Group sends out warnings that silicone breast implants cause cancer.

1992: After reports of women claiming implants are hazardous to their health, the FDA stops the cosmetic use of silicone-gel implants.

2000: The FDA approves saline-filled implants, finding them safe and effective for use in breast augmentation and breast reconstructive surgery.

2004: While being photographed at a party, actress Tara Reid accidentally exposes her scarred breast. She later admits to having botched breast surgery.

2006: The FDA approves silicone breast implants again.

2008: Breast augmentation surgery replaces liposuction as the most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States.

2009: Hungary holds a beauty pageant, “Miss Plastic Hungary,” to highlight the positives of plastic surgery.

2010: A Beverly Hills plastic surgeon says breast implants saved the life of one his patients by helping stop a bullet to her chest.

Sources: beyondniptuck.com; pbs.org; breast-plastic-surgery.org, breastimplantsusa.com and ofc.berkeley.edu

Are breast implants permanent?

Breast implants are not permanent devices, but can sometimes last for up to 25 years with no problems.

Can breast implants be removed?

Implants can be removed, but the breast skin and tissue may become stretched over time.  As a result, the breasts may develop redundant skin and a breast lift (mastopexy) may be required after the implant is taken out.

Is breastfeeding possible after breast augmentation?

Breast implants usually do not affect the ability to breastfeed.

Who is eligible to get breast implants?

You are not eligible to get breast implants for cosmetic purposes if you have untreated breast cancer or infection, are under 18 years of age, or are pregnant or nursing.  Silicone implants cannot be placed for cosmetic purposes in patients under 21 years of age.  Breast implants may be placed in younger patients if needed for reconstructive purposes.

Will insurance cover breast augmentation?

Insurance companies do not cover breast implant surgery performed for cosmetic purposes.

What happens if the implant ruptures?

Patients often worry about implant rupture even though it is not a terribly common problem. Within 10 years of surgery, only one in ten implants will rupture.  If a saline implant ruptures, the implant will simply deflate in a few hours and your body will absorb the salt water.  If a silicone implant leaks, it may not become apparent for several years.  For that reason, the FDA recommends that patients get an MRI 3 years after breast augmentation, and then every two years thereafter to assess for rupture.

How will my breasts look and feel after breast augmentation?

Some bruising and swelling occurs right after the procedure, but disappears relatively quickly.   Once the swelling is gone, the breasts feel healthier and firmer. Saline breast implants feel a bit firmer (both inside and outside the body), while silicone gel breast implants are softer and more natural feeling.

Will there be scars?

Although scars are a part of the breast augmentation process, Dr. Jejurikar’s goal is to make the scars as aesthetically pleasing as possible.  Dr. Jejurikar places the incisions around the areola, under the arm, or under the breast. Breast augmentation scars, regardless of where they are located, tend to heal extremely well.

When can I return to work and resume normal activities after breast augmentation?

It will take a few days to return to normal activities, and even then, patients often feel fatigued. It is often possible to return to work within one week after breast augmentation surgery. Strenuous physical activity should be avoided for three weeks following surgery.

Breast augmentation is an intensely gratifying procedure for patients, as they see immediate results after the procedure.  Like any surgical procedure, though, patients need to allow some time for recovery.

Recovery is variable from patient to patient. Most patients feel tired and sore after breast augmentation surgery, but this usually passes in a day or two. Many patients return to work within the week.  After a week, most patients have mild fatigue and soreness, but no other significant symptoms.

Surgeons vary in the amount of time they restrict their patients from exercising postoperatively.  I ask my patients to refrain from all vigorous exercise for 2 weeks postoperatively and from all upper body exercises for 4 weeks.  Patients don’t always want to comply with this, as they feel relatively normal well before their postoperative restrictions are lifted.

Scars from breast augmentation incisions will begin to fade in a few weeks and will continue to fade for months or years.