myths about breast augmentation surgery

To address health concerns about breast implants and breast augmentation surgery, a committee at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) reviewed the issues and concluded:
§ Breast implants don't increase breast cancer risk. The IOM found evidence that breast implants don't cause breast cancer or the recurrence of breast cancer. However, it's still essential that you undergo routine screening for breast cancer — breast self-exams, mammograms and clinical breast exams — just as you would if you didn't have breast implants.
§ Breast implants don't weaken your immune system. When your body detects something foreign in your system, such as a virus or bacterium, it responds by kicking your immune system into high gear. However, the IOM found no evidence to suggest this happens with breast implants. Nor did it find evidence linking implants to any autoimmune or connective tissue disorder.
§ Breast-feeding is safe. Your breast milk could absorb some of the silicone from breast implants but in an amount that's not considered harmful to your baby. Because breast milk is the best thing you can feed your baby, the IOM encourages women with breast implants to breast-feed if they're able to do so.
§ Satisfactory results can be achieved with saline-filled breast implants. Women with saline implants used to complain about sloshing — hearing the liquid inside the implant — and being able to feel the implant beneath the surface of the skin (rippling effect). Some women preferred implants filled with silicone gel for these reasons, claiming they looked and felt more natural. However, better results from saline implants are now possible by slightly overfilling the implant and placing it behind, rather than on top of, the chest muscle.
Know that health risks associated with breast implants do exist. Take these risks into consideration, consult with your doctor, and be confident that you're making a fully informed decision before you proceed with breast augmentation.