Breast Implant Options
Many of the women I see in consultations know that they want breast augmentation, but do not have any idea of which implants would be best for them. This is an understandable concern. Implants are available in a variety of options, including material, shape, size, and brand. Pairing the right implant with the right patient starts with a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s frame, lifestyle, and desires.
What Are Your Choices?
Implant Material
Breast implants can be filled with a saline solution or a silicone gel. Both of these choices are safe and long-lasting options.
Saline Implants: These consist of a silicone shell filled with a sterile saline solution.
The Pros:
- Cheaper than silicone
- Better for bodybuilders and highly athletic women
- Ruptures are easily identified
- Provides more cleavage and augmented-looking results
The Cons:
- Less natural-looking
- Lack the feel of breast tissue
- Prone to rippling
Silicone Implants: These consist of a silicone shell filled with silicone gel.
The Pros:
- Natural look and feel
- Many implant options
The Cons:
- Not approved for women under 22
- Ruptures can be difficult to identify
Implant Size
Women must first decide if they want their implants to provide subtle improvement or noticeable enhancement. When determining the size of your implants, you should take your current size and body shape into consideration. Natural-looking breast augmentation results are those where the breasts are in balance with the rest of your frame.
Low Profile: Low profile implants are wider in the base with minimal projection from the chest. This option is best for women who have a wider chest wall.
Moderate Profile: Moderate profile implants project more from the chest compared to the low profile but do not create excessive width on the sides. This option is ideal for women who have a smaller/narrower chest.
High Profile: High profile implants have a narrow base, giving you maximum projection from the chest. This option is ideal for petite women who have a narrow chest wall.
Implant Shape
Originally, all implants were round. In recent years, anatomical-shaped implants, also called teardrop implants, have become available to provide women with a natural breast shape. These implants are only available in silicone but can add increased definition and shape to the breast.
Teardrop/Natural/Anatomical: Teardrop implants are thinner at the top compared to the bottom, giving them a much more natural shape.
Round: Round implants are round in shape and add volume to the lower portion of the breast as well as the upper portion.
Implant Texture
Breast implants are either smooth or textured.
Smooth Implants: The outer shell has a smooth texture. This style provides a softer feel and comes with a lower chance of rippling. Unfortunately, because the shell is smooth, there is a chance that the implant may shift slightly in the breast pocket, and revision surgery may be required.
Textured Implants: The shell of these implants is rough to the touch, allowing them to act as an anchor when placed in the chest. These implants do not shift the way that smooth implants do, which is ideal for shaped implants. Textured implants do, however, have a higher chance of leaking or rippling.
Brand Name
Breast implants are manufactured by four different companies: Allergan, MENTOR®, Sientra®, and IDEAL IMPLANT®. These are all FDA approved and provide high-quality results.
Allergan: Allergan offers saline and silicone breast implants with low rates of complications. Allergan’s Natrelle® silicone implants are made with a thicker silicone gel that maintains its shape after a rupture. Allergan implants come in a variety of shape and projection choices.
MENTOR®: MENTOR® breast implants are available in both saline and silicone varieties. These implants come with a low complication rate and several size and texture options.
Sientra®: Sientra® offers round and shaped silicone implants as well as smooth and textured options. These implants are also made from a thicker silicone gel that is known to maintain its shape in the event of a rupture.
IDEAL IMPLANT®: The IDEAL IMPLANT® is a structured breast implant that combines the benefits of saline and silicone. While the IDEAL IMPLANT® is filled with saline, it consists of a series of chambers so that it reacts as a silicone implant would. This allows the natural look and feel of a silicone implant but provides the peace of mind of a saline implant. IDEAL IMPLANT® is approved for women over the age of 18.
For more information about breast implants, contact Dr. Reichner to set up a consultation by calling his Newport Beach office at (949) 610-1505, his Orange office (714) 997-5200 or by filling out the online contact form.
