Tear-drop, round, textured, smooth, high profile, low profile – are you familiar with all the terms? It can be overwhelming to walk into your one-on-one consultation with me and not know what I am referencing. That’s why I’ve decided to define each term so that you will have a clear idea of what your breast implant options are and which would suit your lifestyle the best.
Types of Breast Implants
There are really only three categories of breast implants, with lots of subcategories beneath them. For example, silicone gel, saline, and structured are the main types of breast implants, but they each offer different characteristics like profile, shape, and feel. These options let you better customize your implant to your individual preferences and lifestyle. I’ll explain the options available in each category below.
Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Silicone gel implants are a popular type of breast implant because they feel very similar to natural breasts. That is how they got the name “gummy bear implants”. The FDA recommends an MRI every 2-3 years for women who have silicone gel implants, because if one of her implants ruptures at some point post surgery, she would only be able to detect the rupture through an MRI. This means that she is at risk for silicone gel leaking into her body without her being aware.
What we’re seeing, particularly in my practice, is that women are not obtaining the MRIs for silicone gel implants until they have symptoms. They may notice a contour irregularity in their breast, or they may notice tightening of the breast implant or tightening of the chest wall and a sense of discomfort. So, by the time a woman comes in for an evaluation with these types of findings, there’s a really good chance that the implant has already leaked. And at the very least there’s development of a capsular contracture. Surgical management of a capsular contracture due to a gel leak can range from a single procedure to multiple or staged procedures, most often not covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
The breast implant options when you choose silicone gel implants are round or shaped. Round implants have equal fullness on top and bottom whereas shaped have a narrower top and full bottom, creating more of a natural, or tear-drop look. Something to take into consideration with the shaped implant is that if it rotates, the implant looks disfigured and requires a second surgery to correct.
Saline Breast Implants
Commonly referred to as “water balloon implants,” saline breast implants are composed of a single shell that has been filled with a saline solution or sterile salt water. With these implants, a rupture is instantly detectable by the patient because the implant deflates. The advantage of this breast implant option is that it provides peace of mind because even if it does rupture, the saline is harmless to the body and safely absorbed in the case of rupture. These implants often only require a relatively small incision meaning a smaller scar post surgery.
Structured Breast Implants
The IDEAL IMPLANT is the latest in implant technology and is growing in popularity because of its innovative design. It has a layered structure and a saline filling. This combination is what makes this implant look and feel like a natural breast while providing the peace of mind of a harmless salt water solution. It also has dramatically lower rupture and capsule contracture rates than other types of breast implants as proven in the last eight years.
Hands down, IDEAL IMPLANT has the best safety profile out of all the competitors right now. And I know that women’s goals when considering breast implant surgery are to look good, feel good – and to look and feel natural. It’s important to recognize that as surgeons and patients learn more about the various implant devices on the market, women patients have added device safety to their top list of breast implant surgery goals. Women are looking for natural choices for helping themselves to feel and look their best however as savvy consumers, they also want an implant that will be safe for and worry free for years to come. In terms of breast augmentation, the IDEAL IMPLANT has met all the goals and expectations in terms of safety. These breast implants look good, feel good, they’re natural, and you’re able to detect a leak just by looking in the mirror.
Implant Profile Breast Implant Options
If you want an implant that looks both perky and full, high profile implants should be your choice. If you’re more interested in a subtle and very natural look, moderate profile implants are a wonderful option. The IDEAL IMPLANT structured implants are made to be high profile, however adjustments can be made during surgery to make sure you receive the fullness you are looking for and that the breasts match each other in appearance.
About Me
I am a board-certified plastic surgeon in Westport, Connecticut, with wide-ranging experience in breast augmentation and all types of breast implants. I have an academic background in Physical Therapy and International Health Care. I was recently recognized as an IDEAL IMPLANT Premier Surgeon due to my extensive expertise working with IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants. My patients appreciate my exceptional skills and honest, caring demeanor. I am a highly qualified surgeon and deeply invest my time in each and every patient to earn their trust. My patients feel welcome and comfortable in my office and are exceptionally pleased by their plastic surgery results.
Researching breast implant options in Westport? Contact us today to discuss your options by calling 203-221-0102. Our office is located at 131 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880. Contact our office for a no-obligation consultation today.
