The decision of getting a breast augmentation surgery is always accompanied by some degree of decision making about the type of breast implants that’s best for one’s body. Breast implants are designed in various shapes, sizes, surfaces, as well as material composition.
Breast implants have two components, mainly the shell and the fill material inside the shell. The breast implant shells are composed of a rubber-like substance known as silicone and they are filled with either a saline gel or a silicone gel.
Below is a brief description of the available types of breast implants along with the pros and cons of each.
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone gel breast implants comprise of an outer shell made of silicone elastomer and inside they are filled with a thick silicone gel. In case of an implant leak, the gel either remains inside the shell or can escape into the breast implant pocket but will not collapse. The use of such implants in women above the age of 22 has been approved by FDA.
Advantages
- Silicone breast implants look and feel very natural and soft.
- They are less likely to get rippled or wrinkled.
- As silicone is light, they are less likely to be pulled downwards by gravity.
Disadvantages
- Silicone breast implants leave a long scar as the implants are pre-filled and need to fit into the incision properly.
- These breast implants rupture without making it evident from outside and that needs frequent MRIs to be done.
Saline Breast Implants
Sterile salt water constitutes the inside of these breast implants. The FDA has approved their use for women above 18 years.
Advantages
- These types of breast implants have a low rate of revision surgery
- Saline implants can be filled after being placed in the body, which leads to a shorter scar.
- No MRIs are required as in case the shell ruptures, the saline is absorbed by the body within a day.
Disadvantages
- These types of breast implants can sometimes look round and can feel unnatural.
- As they are a bit heavy, they tend to get displaced downwards.
Gummy Bear Breast Implants
The shape of these implants is much stable as compared to silicone.They are always shaped, because if they are round, they would look round. They are filled with a silicone gel which is thicker and more firm.
Advantages
- They confer a better and more predictable shape upon the breast.
- The fill does not tend to shift inside the shell which makes shell collapse and folds less likely to occur.
- There are very less chances of a leakage in such implants.
- Firm scar tissue occur less in these types of breast implants.
Disadvantages
- In case of rotation of a shaped implant the breast may look unusual in appearance.
- The implants are not deformable and thereby, they can’t be squeezed through small incisions. The incision length usually lies between 4.5-5.5 cm.
Smooth Breast Implants
Smooth implants move freely within the breast pocket and they have thinner shells making them feel very soft. The are used in majority of breast augmentation procedures.
Advantages
- Smooth implants are less likely to rupture which significantly reduces the chances of health problems as well as implant replacement.
- These implants feel much natural and softer.
- Smooth breast implants last longer and don’t get visibly rippled often.
Disadvantages
- Although they are durable, but sometimes smooth implants can get rippled.
Textured Silicone Breast Implants
Textured implants were designed with the idea of reducing the risk of capsular contracture which involves the growth of scar tissue around the implant. If the capsule shrinks, the implant gets squeezed that causes the breast to look as well as feel firm.
Advantages
- These implants have a lower risk of capsular contracture.
- Textured implants create cohesion between the implant and surrounding tissue reducing the risk of the implant moving.
Disadvantages
- Since textured implants have a thicker shell they tend to be firmer to the touch and do not move as naturally as smooth implants.
Round Breast Implants
The round-shaped implant is the traditional breast implant design. Round implants can create soft, round and nicely proportioned breasts. They are available in a range of diameters and projections.
Advantages
- They are very flexible and can fit any woman’s breast and body type.
- They appear natural and tend to deliver natural movement and position.
- They are very soft and smooth and their shell tends to cause less implant ripples.
- Round implants are able to move without distorting the shape of the breast.
Disadvantages
- The disadvantages of these implants depends on the type of their making that may be textured or smooth implants.
- Less Michigan breast augmentation surgeons provide round breast implants compared to other types of breast implants.
These are the most common types of breast implants that are used in breast augmentation surgery. Consult with your breast surgeon to learn which might be best for your unique situation.
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