Saline Implants vs. Silicone Implants
- Saline breast implants: Solid silicone rubber outer shell filled with sterile salt water. .Saline implants are filled at the time of surgery; thus may be inserted via a slightly smaller incision than silicone implants. Saline implants allow for minor modifications in implant size at the time of the operation but are only available in the round shape. If saline implants deflate, it is obvious in short time.
- Silicone filled breast implants: Solid silicone rubber outer shell filled with cohesive silicone gel. Silicone is a naturally occurring element found in sand, quartz and rock. Silicone can be manufactured in a variety of ways, including oils, gels and solids. Silicone products have been shown to be bio-compatible, reliable, flexible and easy to sterilize. All silicone breast implants are pre-filled and may require a slightly longer incision for implant placement. Patients tend to think that silicone implants feel more natural. If silicone implants rupture, it may not be obvious immediately.
Textured Implants vs. Smooth Implants
- Textured implants: implants with a rough surface. Textured implants are intended to stay in one place and not move. Shaped implants should be textured so that they are more likely to stay in the appropriate location and orientation. Round implants may also be textured. A rough surface has been shown to decrease capsular contracture.
- Smooth implants: implants with a smooth surface. Smooth implants are intended to move within the pocket. Some patients think that smooth implants are less palpable but they are thought to have a higher capsular contraction rate.
Round Implants vs. Shaped Implants
- Round implants: Do not have an orientation. Have a faster take off in the upper pole of the breast and are more likely to show or look artificial.
- Shaped implants: Anatomical shapes available made out of silicone. Can give a natural shape even in the very small.
Options for Breast Implant Surgery Incisions
- Inframammary (under the breast)
- Periareolar (around the nipple)
- Transaxillary (in the armpit region)
Options for Breast Implant Pocket Location
- Subpectoral - under the pectoralis major muscle
- Subglandular - over the pectoralis major muscle
Breast Implants Benefits / Advantages / Options
- Increases fullness of the breasts
- Increases the size of the breasts
- If different sizes are used in each side, breast size asymmetry may improve
- May improve sagging breasts, depending on how large the implant and how much your breasts sag
- May improve the proportion of breast size to match the rest of the body
- May improve the fit of clothing
- May improve self-confidence
