Dr Martin Huang has practised plastic surgery for over 15 years. His scope of practice includes aesthetic surgery of the face and body, non-surgical procedures such

Is breast augmentation suitable for everyone?
Yes, in general. Most of the patients I get are women who are born with small breasts or those whose breasts have shrunk after pregnancy. There are however some women who are not suitable and they are breast cancer patients or those with significant medical problems. Women with saggy breasts may be unsuitable for a breast augmentation alone and a breast lift may be prescribed for them, with or without an augmentation.

How long do implants last and is it safe to have silicone in the body permanently?
Silicone implants are safe. There is no definite shelf life for these implants, and as long as the breasts are healthy, there is no need to change them. However, there is a condition called capsular contracture where the thin layer of scar tissue that normally forms around the implants thickens and contracts, causing the implants to feel too firm and to look too round. Although not dangerous, capsular contracture may require further surgery to correct it. This is very rare though.

Are there any new advancements for breast augmentation?
Anatomical (teardrop-shaped) implants which came out about five to 10 years ago was the latest development. That being said, the quality of implants has been improving over the last few years, and the current generation of implants contain a highly viscous silicone gel that maintains its shape very well in the long term and does not leak even if the implant shell breaks.

Another new procedure in this category is the use of the patient’s own fat to enlarge her breasts. However, this is a more complicated and time consuming process as it requires two surgeries in one – a liposuction procedure to harvest the donor fat, and a breast injection procedure using the harvested fat. Even though it is more “natural” in the sense that no foreign materials are used, there is a limit to how much fat will survive – usually 50 to 60 percent, and this will cause the breasts to be less full after a while. Cost-wise, breast augmentation costs between $15,000 to $20,000, while fat injections may cost about $5,000 more due to the high-tech equipment required to harvest and process the fat.

How long is the recuperation time after the surgery?
Most patients can resume normal activities after half a week, but no exercise till a month after, as you don’t want to have too much muscle contractions around the implants.

Why do some implants look so hard whereas others look more natural? Is it the surgeon’s skill or implants used?
There are two kinds of implants – the round ones shaped like a dome and the anatomical ones shaped like a teardrop. Some people, especially in Hollywood, like the exaggerated look so they go for the former and select a large size – it is personal choice really. A lot of it also lies in the skills of the surgeon. An inferior implant under the hands of a good surgeon can look better than the best implant used by a less-skilled doctor. Dr Martin Huang has practised plastic surgery for
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Disclaimer: Every care and effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in Aesthetics & Beauty Guide Singapore(ABGSingapore). All information in ABG Singapore that is written in consultation with medical experts should in no way be construed or regarded as medical advice. The publishers of ABG Singapore take no responsibility for any errors, omissions or misrepresentations, and for any situation that may arise out of any errors, omissions or misrepresentations. The publishers of ABG Singapore and its staff are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from use of products or treatments & articles or contest with products or treatments giveaways through our publication or website. Note to readers: Please consult with your doctor before undergoing any medical aesthetic procedure. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copies, transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means. This publication shall not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system.