Breast Implants are the most common cosmetic surgical procedure completed in the United States, with 355,671 operations during 2008 alone; this represented an 11% decrease in surgeries, most likely to the economic recession.  Breast implants may also be referred to as a breast augmentation, breast enlargement, or simply a boob job.

There are currently two FDA approved types of implants, Saline, which have a silicon shell, filled with a sterile, saline (sodium chloride and water) solution, and silicon gel-filled shells.

Saline type implants were first manufactured in 1964 from Arion, a company in France, with the intention to have smaller incisions for breast augmentation procedures. Saline-filled implants differ from that of silicon implants in that they shell is inserted under the breast empty, then filled once placed. Saline-filled is better for women who have adequate breast tissue

Silicon implants are filled prior to insertion, so while a larger incision must be taken to insert the implant the benefits are a more realistic feeling, and look; where as saline-filled implants may ripple, or wrinkle once inserted.Particularly for women with less breast tissue, silicon breast implants will look, and appear to be more realistic.

Where the implant is placed can determine certain levels of success, or conversely, chances of leaking, or a condition known as Capsular contraction - in which the implant will shift due to an immune response where capsules of collagen fibers block the implant, thus causing it to shift.A sub-muscular implant may work best to avoid this problem. Sub-muscular implants are placed below the pectoral muscles, and are used more so in breast reconstruction efforts.

Subglandular implants differ in that the implant is inserted between the breast tissue and the muscle tissue, most patients and doctors find that this offers the best aesthetic effects. However the chance of capsular contraction is increased.

Many women who get breast implants do so for a number of reasons, most of which is related to self-esteem issues surrounding the shape or size of their breasts. Women who have breast augmentation surgery may get it at a young age as they feel their bust size is inadequate, while many older women, who have put off breast enlargement, or would like to re-shape their breasts after breastfeeding, may have the surgical procedure done.

Recovery rates, tend to take as little as one week, to as much as six weeks, depending on type of insertion, amount of skin that was cut, and the size of the breast augmentation, thus moving to a much larger cup size will take longer for healing as compared to that of a cup range more closely related to the patient’s natural size.

In terms of further complications surrounds implants, a study showed that for the saline type of implants that ruptures or breaks were at a rate of 3-5% for three years, 7-10% at five years. The age and design most impact how durable the implants will be, thus a larger implant has greater propensity to leak or rupture.Leaks and rupture generally require additional surgery to replace the implant, and MRI scans can detect if an implant has ruptured.