A breast implant is a medical device used to enhance or reconstruct the breast's shape, size, and volume. These implants are typically filled with either saline (sterile saltwater) or silicone gel and are inserted surgically either behind the breast tissue or beneath the chest muscle. Breast implants are commonly used for cosmetic augmentation to enhance breast size or for reconstructive purposes, such as after a mastectomy due to breast cancer. The procedure is known as breast augmentation or breast reconstruction, depending on the context, and is typically performed by a plastic surgeon. The main reasons for getting breast implants include aesthetic enhancement, achieving body symmetry, or restoring the breast's natural appearance after surgery or trauma. Some individuals seek breast implants to improve self-confidence or body image, while others undergo the procedure to regain their physical appearance following breast cancer treatment or congenital breast deformities. Complications of breast implants can include infection, scarring, implant rupture or leakage, and capsular contracture, a condition where scar tissue forms around the implant, causing the breast to feel hard and potentially painful. Other risks may include changes in breast or nipple sensation, implant displacement, or asymmetry. In rare cases, breast implants have been associated with a condition called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a type of cancer that affects the immune system. Despite these risks, breast implants are a widely used and effective option for achieving desired cosmetic or reconstructive outcomes.
