Misc. Breast Augmentation FAQs
Do breast implants glow in the dark? Find out here
Will breast implants cause you to gain weight? Will they get in the way of your scuba diving regimen? You may have lots of questions about breast implants that you just don't know who to ask. This section covers lots of odds and ends, including the strange, but true, fact that breast implants do glow in the dark!
- Do breast implants cause weight gain?
- Do breast implants glow in the dark when flashlights are shined on them?
- Can I scuba dive with breast implants?
- Does wearing a seat belt increase the chances of implant rupture or trauma-induced capsular contracture in a car accident?
- Are chest exercises OK if breast implants are placed under the chest muscle?
- Can I go braless if I have breast implants?
- Do breast implants ever need to be replaced?
1. Do breast implants cause weight gain?
You will probably gain a couple of pounds depending on how large your breast implants are. For example, saline weighs between 1.3 and 1.6 grams per milliliter (ml). A milliliter is equal to one cubic centimeter (cc). There are approximately 453 ml of water in a pound. The average implant volume is 450 cc. Therefore, a 450-cc saline-filled breast implant weighs about 1.3 pounds (not counting the shell's weight, which is around 15 to 25 grams). Two implants may weigh about 2.6 pounds. Ask your surgeon for specifics regarding your implants if you are concerned.
2. Do breast implants glow in the dark when flashlights are shined on them?
Yes, they do. If you stick flashlights underneath or next to your breasts, they will cast an eerie glow. The veins on your breasts show up too! Saline implants tend to glow even brighter than their silicone-gel-filled counterparts.
3. Can I scuba dive with breast implants?
Yes you can. Air is affected by the pressure, which is why your ears or mask feel squeezed as you go down. The saline or silicone that fill your implants is not affected by the under-water pressure.
4. Does wearing a seat belt increase the chances of implant rupture or trauma-induced capsular contracture in a car accident?
You should always wear a seat belt when you are in a motor vehicle. It's the law.
Seat belts can cause bruising that will lead to capsular contracture, but it will also save your life.
5. Are chest exercises OK if breast implants are placed under the chest muscle?
Yes. You aren't expected to let your muscles atrophy once you get subpectoral (or submuscular) breast implants. If you have any questions about specific exercises or routines, ask your surgeon. You should not start exercising after your breast augmentation until you get the green light from your surgeon.
6. Can I go braless if I have breast implants?
You can, but you shouldn't. If you forgo the bra, your breasts will sag faster. Breast implants — regardless of where they are implanted — are not internal bras.
7. Do breast implants ever need to be replaced?
The Institute of Medicine estimates that silicone breast implants last an average of 16 years.
Saline breast implants do not need to be replaced unless they deflate.
