One of the most common procedures is breast surgery.
 Every woman wants the perfect bust line.
 For some, that means augmentation for a fuller, curvier look.
 Other women desire a reduction and once they get it, proclaim their lives are enhanced forever.
 A third option many women seek is a breast lift.
  As with all cosmetic surgery, no two individuals are alike.
   Your doctor should consult with you beforehand in great deal about the look you desire.
 I consider each patient a living work-of-art with special requirements.
 To get the best results for you, make sure you find a doctor who feels the same and will work with you.
 Do not trust any one who tries to take a cookie-cutter approach.
  Augmentations are popular because they do a lot for a woman's femininity.
Augmentation is a fairly simple, quick way to enhance the silhouette of a woman.
If breast augmentation is your choice, beyond choosing a quality doctor, you also need to consider some maintenance over time.
  Breast augmentation involves implants, either silicone or saline, to enlarge, (augment) the breast.
 While many women enjoy the benefits of breast augmentation for years, breast implants don't last forever.
At some point, a majority will need to be replaced.
The most common problem I see is hardening, when the implants become too firm.
 This can distort their shape.
   Once they are hardened, it is irreversible and the best solution is replacement.
 Today's patients will find modern silicone implants much less likely to harden.
  Leaks, tears and holes can happen in both saline and silicone implants, although the problem is more common with saline implants.
Saline implants also can show rippling beneath the skin over time.
Finally, the natural course of aging and gravity can affect the shape and appearance of the implant, as it would even if surgical enhancements had never taken place.
  If you have any of these issues, or, if the look and feel simply isn't like it used to be, consult your doctor.
 Many women are opting to replace saline implants with newer, better-designed silicone implants.
I am happy to report to my patients that today's implant technology is the best it has ever been.
 Going into the future, you can expect fewer troubles.
    For quite a while in the 90's, safety was an important issue with breast implantation surgery.
  They were removed from the market for a while and tested rigorously.
 Researchers poured over the data concerning health problems women reported and I am pleased to say that implants were exonerated.
   Silicone implants regained U.
S Food and Drug Administration approval in November 2006 following this extensive review.
We're on the third generation of breast implants now.
Silicone implants, in particular, have been studied for decades.
They're better engineered now, feel better, and patients are happier with the results.
If your implants have been in place for more than fifteen years, please have them checked by a doctor.
 The longer they are in place, the more likely it is for problems to develop.
Many women suffer needlessly because they don't realize their implants can be fixed or removed.
Once you've had breast augmentation, keep in contact with your doctor's office.
 They should examine you regularly and educate you about possible problems.
Breast implant problems are not something you can diagnose yourself, even though most woman have incredible instincts that something might be amiss.
 Sometimes it is very difficult to tell if an implant has ruptured.
 An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) exam is required if a rupture is suspected.
Just as it is with automobiles, houses and appliances, our bodies need maintenance.
 Especially if you have breast implants, it's wise to develop and strategy for regular maintenance.
 That will help guarantee you'll keep looking great for years.