00:00 This podcast episode is about breast implants and covers the science, history, and different types of implants.

05:10 Breast implants were the number one elective surgery in the United States in 2012, with 330,681 breast augmentation surgeries performed that year.

10:31 Breast implants were first used in the 1960s and have since become popular due to the desire for larger breasts, although there were lawsuits associated with early implants that used medical grade silicone, leading to a voluntary moratorium in 1992, which was lifted in 2006 when the FDA determined there was no evidence of harm, and now silicone implants make up 72% of all implants.

15:58 Breast anatomy includes lobes, lobules, bulbs, ducts, nipples, areolas, pectoral muscles, and the ribcage; breast size can be impacted by weight, menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy; breast implants are physical sacs made of an elastomer shell that can be empty or pre-filled and are measured in cubic centiliters; the rice test can be used to estimate breast size.

21:23 Breast implants come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and textures, and the choice depends on factors such as body frame, desired look, and surgeon's input.

26:26 Breast implants can cause problems if they move around, but a woman in Akron is working on developing a breast implant that can emit drugs and detect cancer cells, while another choice for implants is whether they are prefilled or unfilled, with the latter being like a test drive where the size can be adjusted until the patient is satisfied, and the surgeon's skill in implant placement is crucial to avoid complications.

31:24 There are three types of implant locations for breast augmentation: sub-glandular, sub-pectoral, and submuscular, each with their own advantages and recovery times, and the periareolar incision, while common, has a higher risk of complications due to its location near the areola.

37:01 There are several different types of incisions for breast augmentation, including the periareolar, inframammary fold, trans-axillary, and tuba incisions, each with their own advantages and limitations.

42:28 Breast augmentation is a form of plastic surgery that involves molding or shaping the breasts, and it can include procedures such as breast reduction, breast lift, and breast reconstruction.

47:43 Breast augmentation surgery comes with risks such as infection, capsule contracture, semastia, bottoming out, hematoma, interference with mammography, necrosis, and the possibility of large, permanent scars or implant rupture.

52:57 Breast implants can rupture and there are risks such as saroma, semastia, rippling, and the need for revision surgery, but the link between breast implants and suicide is not well-supported.

58:07 Breast implants can rupture and there are risks such as saroma, semastia, rippling, and the need for revision surgery, but the link between breast implants and suicide is not well-supported.