You are about to leave the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices website and go to an external website.
Is Breast Augmentation Right for Me?
Augmentation is more than a physical enhancement. Your body can affect and reflect how you feel. Let’s learn more about the procedure and the choices you have with MENTOR®.
Augmentation is more than a physical enhancement. Your body can affect and reflect how you feel. Let’s learn more about the procedure and the choices you have with MENTOR®.
Are breast implants safe?
Yes. The MENTOR® Breast Implants and MENTOR® Tissue Expanders are safe and have CE Mark approval.†
In fact, hundreds of thousands of women receive breast implants every year. But as with any medical device, implant based breast reconstruction and augmentation carries certain risks and potential complications, please be certain to consult with your plastic surgeon. With decades of research behind our products, MENTOR® is committed to your safety.
You can find more information on considerations and possible complications in our online brochure.
Are breast implants safe?
Yes. The MENTOR® Breast Implants and MENTOR® Tissue Expanders are safe and have CE Mark approval.†
In fact, hundreds of thousands of women receive breast implants every year. But as with any medical device, implant based breast reconstruction and augmentation carries certain risks and potential complications, please be certain to consult with your plastic surgeon. With decades of research behind our products, MENTOR® is committed to your safety.
You can find more information on considerations and possible complications in our online brochure.
What should I expect during the procedure?
You'll talk about your anaesthesia and incision options with your doctor before your surgery.
On surgery day, once your anaesthesia takes effect, your plastic surgeon will make an incision to create a space within your breast tissues for each implant.
Your surgeon will place and position the implants depending on the type of implant, degree of enlargement and your body type – either under the pectoral muscle or directly behind the breast tissue.
He/She will close the incisions – usually with layered sutures in the breast tissue, and sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the skin.
After your procedure, you’ll see instant results in your breast size, and the incision(s) will heal and fade with time.
What should I expect during the procedure?
You'll talk about your anaesthesia and incision options with your doctor before your surgery.
On surgery day, once your anaesthesia takes effect, your plastic surgeon will make an incision to create a space within your breast tissues for each implant.
Your surgeon will place and position the implants depending on the type of implant, degree of enlargement and your body type – either under the pectoral muscle or directly behind the breast tissue.
He/She will close the incisions – usually with layered sutures in the breast tissue, and sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the skin.
After your procedure, you’ll see instant results in your breast size, and the incision(s) will heal and fade with time.
Where is the surgery performed?
Your surgeon will likely perform an outpatient procedure in a hospital operating room, surgery center or surgical suite. For certain cases, your plastic surgeon may recommend an overnight hospital stay.
Where is the surgery performed?
Your surgeon will likely perform an outpatient procedure in a hospital operating room, surgery center or surgical suite. For certain cases, your plastic surgeon may recommend an overnight hospital stay.
How long does the procedure take?
On average, breast augmentation surgery lasts one to two hours, but each case is different based on the patient and preferences.
How long does the procedure take?
On average, breast augmentation surgery lasts one to two hours, but each case is different based on the patient and preferences.
Which kind of anesthesia should I expect?
Your doctor may recommend intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia. Ask ahead of time what's right for you.
Which kind of anesthesia should I expect?
Your doctor may recommend intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia. Ask ahead of time what's right for you.
When can I get back to my routine?
Each patient's post-op instructions are different, but some women are able to return to work within a few days. It's important that the few weeks following surgery, you avoid strenuous or stressful activities that could raise your pulse or blood pressure.
† CE Mark Certificate G7 021103 0032 Rev.01
When can I get back to my routine?
Each patient's post-op instructions are different, but some women are able to return to work within a few days. It's important that the few weeks following surgery, you avoid strenuous or stressful activities that could raise your pulse or blood pressure.
† CE Mark Certificate G7 021103 0032 Rev.01
Look & Feel
You probably have a preference of how you want your breasts to look and feel. Explore the three characteristics that will help you choose the right MENTOR® implant for you.
Projection
Projection is the distance between the base and the outer-facing side of the implant. “High profile” implants are designed to produce maximal projection from the chest, while “moderate profile” indicates less projection.
Fullness
Fullness varies depending on implant type. Round implants are designed to show more fullness above the nipple while teardrop implants are designed to create a gradual increase in fullness and projection from top to bottom.
Firmness
Firmness determines how natural the breast feels to the touch. Saline delivers the firmest feel while gel implants feel more like natural breast tissue.
Your Incision Site
Explore three common incision site options for breast implant surgery. Your choices depend on the type of implant, degree of enlargement, your particular body and your surgeon's preference.
Inframammary Fold Incision
The inframammary incision is made under your breast at the crease, where the breast meets the body. While less concealed, some surgeons find outcomes to be more successful for breastfeeding.
Peri-areolar Incision
Situated at the transition between the areola and the breast skin, minimising visibility.
The peri-areolar incision is made around the nipple to help conceal the incision site. It involves cutting through the breast tissue and may be associated with the risk of a change in nipple sensation compared to other options.
Transaxillary Incision
Primarily for saline, under the arm.
The transaxillary incision involves using a lighted camera (endoscope) to help tunnel through the area under the arm and create a pocket behind the breast. It's primarily used to place saline breast implants before they're filled.
Your Implant Placement
You'll choose from two common placement options for your breast augmentation.
Submammary/Subglandular Placement
The implant is placed above the pectoral muscle and behind the breast tissue.
CONSIDERATIONS:
- Surgery and recovery may be shorter
- Recovery may be less painful
- May provide easier access for reoperation
Submuscular Placement
A portion of the implant is placed below the pectoral muscle.
CONSIDERATIONS:
- May add more tissue thickness over the implant especially at the upper pole to help reduce implant visibility and wrinkling
- May reduce the incidence of capsular contracture
The Cost of Breast Augmentation
Prices for breast augmentation can vary quite a bit based on the type of implant you choose, your location, surgery-related expenses and surgeon's fees. Ask your surgeon directly if all costs are included in your estimate. There are no set costs for things like facility, anesthesia or prescriptions, so make sure you meet with several surgeons to compare estimates for surgeon fees and additional surgical-related expenses.
Warranties are also an important consideration to protect you from additional costs down the road. That's why all MENTOR® Breast Implants come with a Lifetime Product Replacement Policy free of charge.*
Find Your MENTOR® Product Match
References
+ In-person Consumer survey with 452 respondents * Breast Implants are not a lifetime device and may require replacement during your lifetime
1. Hammond DC, Canady JW, Love TR, et al. Mentor Contour Profile Gel Implants: Clinical Outcomes at 10 Years Plastic Reconstr Surg, 2017.
2. MENTOR Consumer Preference Market Research Report - July 2017
3. SALINE-FILLED SPECTRUMTM BREAST IMPLANTS. PPE Specification Labeling Specification 102926-001 Rev D Saline-Filled Spectrum Breast Implants CE-Marked PIDS. 2016. Page.15.
MENTOR® is committed to product safety. Learn how.
References
Important Safety Information:
The MENTOR® Collection of Breast Implants are indicated for breast augmentation - in women who are at least 18 years old for MENTOR® MemoryGel® Breast Implants, MENTOR® CPG™ Breast Implants, or MENTOR® Saline Breast Implants.
Breast implant surgery should not be performed in women:
- With active infection anywhere in their body
- With existing cancer or pre-cancer of their breast who have not received adequate treatment for those conditions
- Who are currently pregnant or nursing
Safety and effectiveness have not been established in patients with autoimmune diseases (for example lupus and scleroderma), a weakened immune system, conditions that interfere with wound healing and blood clotting, or reduced blood supply to breast tissue. Patients with a diagnosis of depression, or other mental health disorders, should wait until resolution or stabilization of these conditions prior to undergoing breast implantation surgery.
There are risks associated with breast implant surgery. You should be aware that breast implants are not lifetime devices and breast implantation may not be a one-time surgery. The chance of developing complications increases over time. You may need additional unplanned surgeries on your breasts because of complications or unacceptable cosmetic outcomes. Many of the changes to your breast following implantation are irreversible (cannot be undone) and breast implants may affect your ability to breastfeed, either by reducing or eliminating milk production.
Breast implants are not lifetime devices and breast implantation may not be a one-time surgery. The most common complications for breast augmentation with MemoryGel® Implants include any reoperation, capsular contracture, nipple sensation changes, and implant removal with or without replacement. The most common complications with CPGTM Breast Implants for breast augmentation include reoperation for any reason, implant removal with or without replacement, and ptosis. A lower risk of complication is rupture. The health consequences of a ruptured silicone gel breast implant have not been fully established. MRI screenings are recommended three years after initial implant surgery and then every two years after to detect silent rupture. Breast implants are also associated with the risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), an uncommon type of lymphoma. An individual's risk of developing BIA-ALCL with MENTOR® Breast Implants is low based on the data currently available on the incidence of worldwide cases.
Detailed information regarding the risks and benefits associated with MENTOR® Breast Implants is provided in several educational brochures, including the ‘Important Information for Woman Considering Breast Implants’ brochure, and the ‘Making an Informed Decision’ brochure. These brochures are available from your surgeon or visit https://breastimplantsbymentor.net/safety/mentor-safety. It is important that you read and understand these brochures when considering MENTOR® Breast Implants.
References
128396-210624_EMEA