List of Different Breast Implant Options

As you research various breast augmentation implant options, you can be overwhelmed with the choices. Today four companies make FDA-approved breast implants in the US: Allergan, Mentor, Sientra, and Ideal Implant. Among the four, there are hundreds of shapes, styles, and projections available and silicone and saline variants.

This guide contains essential information about all the various breast implant options, procedures, and more.

Implant Fill Material

As many people know, breast implants are filled with silicone or saline. The silicone gel is made in several consistencies, from soft to firm. You may have heard recently about the ‘gummy bear implant,’ which has a firm consistency to the gel and holds the shape more effectively.

Saline implants contain a saltwater solution that is similar to what you get when you have an IV. The solution is compatible with the body, so if the implant ever ruptures, your body will absorb the saline.

Which filler material? It’s up to you. Most people believe silicone has a more natural feel, but newer saline implants feel more natural than older ones. There used to be a concern that there were health risks if a silicone implant ruptured. However, this rarely occurs, and there is little evidence that a ruptured silicone implant carries any health risks.

Implant Shape

Saline and silicone breast implants come in two shapes – tear-drop shaped and round. Round implants are most often used for breast augmentation procedures, while tear-drop-shaped implants are usually used for breast reconstruction surgeries.

Some plastic surgeons prefer to use smooth, round breast implants for most of their surgeries to avoid some of the problems with textured implants. Textured implants have a higher rate of cancer. While this problem is rare, some surgeons choose to use smooth implants for this reason.

Implant Texture

The outside of a breast implant can have two textures – textured and smooth. This is true whether your implant is filled with saline or silicone. A textured implant reduces the chances of having a tight scar capsule form around the breast implant.

It’s important to know that textured breast implants have a higher incidence of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). This cancer is rare, but it’s essential to discuss the possibility with your surgeon.

Implant Projection

Implants come in many different projections. Projection refers to how far the implant pushes out from the front to the back. Each of the FDA-approved implant manufacturers has different names for their implant projections, but to keep it simple, implants come in the following four profiles:

Low Profile

Low profile breast implants are a good choice for a person who has a healthy amount of breast tissue and wants more fullness. It also may be a good option if you desire more breast volume on the upper chest.

Moderate Profile

Moderate and moderate plus profile implants project a bit more from the chest and are some of the most common implants used.

High Profile

High profile implants are robust and suited to women with small breasts or someone who wants to have an unmistakable implant look.

When choosing which implant profile is for you, it’s vital to communicate with your plastic surgeon. He will need to know what your goals are and how you want your chest to look. With that information, he can help you choose the best profile implant.

Many plastic surgeons use 3D imaging software that lets you ‘try on’ various implant sizes and projections to see which look best. Other surgeons have different ‘sizers’ you can physically try to feel for what different implants’ different sizes feel.

What You Can Expect

If you think you want to have breast implants, below is how the process will go:

• Consultation: Your plastic surgeon will talk to you about what your breast implant goals are. He’ll do a physical exam of your breasts and offer recommendations on the type of implant that may work best for you. Your surgeon may have you try on special bras to help you understand what different sizes feel like. The surgeon also will talk to you about whether you should just have implants or if you need a lift, too. Any breast implant procedure involves surgery and anesthesia, so you need to tell your surgeon about your medical history and any medications you take.
• Procedure: Your surgeon can make various incisions to insert your breast implants, including under the breasts, in the armpits, or around the nipple. Most surgeons make the incisions under the breasts, insert the implants, and close the incisions.
• Aftermath: After your breast implant procedure, your surgeon will wrap your breasts with bandages and give you pain medication to last for a week or so. Your implants may seem hard and high for a while, but they will get softer and fall into their natural position within a few weeks.
• Recovery: Recovery for most breast implant surgeries takes a few weeks. You may need to have a few days off work and avoid strenuous activities for several weeks. You should see your final results within two or three months.

Request a Breast Implant Consultation

If you’re interested in a breast augmentation procedure, Dr. Scott J Farber or Dr. Amita Shah of Hill Country Plastic Surgery can help. They will consult with you for your breast augmentation today. They’ll go over the options, your goals, and more to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for breast implants.

References

• Breast Implant Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation/implants
• Breast Augmentation Guide. (n.d.) Accessed at https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/breast/breast-augmentation-guide/