Fact or Fiction? 5 Rumors About Breast Implants

Everyone has their opinions on breast implants -- whether you've got them, want them, hate them, or just like to look at them. Because they're controversial, potential drawbacks are thrown around so frequently they become accepted as fact.

Here's the real scoop on 5 rumored "drawbacks" of breast implants: 

Number 1

Fact or Fiction: You can't breastfeed with implants.

Fiction.
Says Portland plastic surgeon, Dr. Michael Workman: "On average, there's roughly a 90% chance that you will be able to breastfeed after having breast implants."

Factors include whether you are able to breastfeed before the augmentation, and where the incision is made when inserting the implants (through the areola or nipple can lower the chances of successfully breastfeeding after surgery).

Number 2

Fact or Fiction: Breast augmentation leaves scars.

Fact.
Regardless of where your doctor makes the incision, getting implants will leave scars. However, the incisions are placed strategically under the breast, in the armpit, or around the areola or nipple to minimize visibility.

Check out over 100 doctor opinions. 

Number 3

Fact or Fiction: You can never wear underwire bras after getting breast implants.

Fiction. "Since underwire bras tend to push up the breast implants, we recommend that our patients don't wear them for about two months after surgery," says Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Dr. S. Sean Younai. "In most women the breasts have settled adequately during this time period, after which time there would be no restrictions."

Number 4

Fact or Fiction: Implants can cause stretchmarks.

Fact. 
Any time skin is stretched, especially over a short period of time, there is a possibility that it will develop stretch marks. When implants are placed, it forces the skin on the breast to expand. Out of about 2,000 patients, Orange County Plastic Surgeon Dr. Daniel Mills says he's seen stretch marks form on 27 of them. 

Number 5

Fact or Fiction: Pregnancy will ruin breast implants.

Fiction.
It will not compromise the integrity of an implant.  Pregnancy and breastfeeding cause breasts to fluctuate sizes, which can result in sagginess. As many doctors pointed out in this thread, it is not the implant that changes after pregnancy, it's the breast tissue.

What rumors have you heard about breast implants?

Photo credit: mrsdewees9 on Flickr.com, ki10danielle on RealSelf, vintage treasures and more on Flickr.com, stretchmarks24.com, sigrún bein on Flickr.com