Each body is unique and so should our options for breast implants. Breast implants can vary in material, size, and shape to match a patient’s body image goals. The right choice can bring out the most confident version of ourselves. This makes understanding the differences between saline and silicone implants, along with other options, very important. This guide provides comprehensive information to help you make an informed decision on your breast augmentation or reconstruction milestone.

What Are Breast Implants

Breast implants are medical devices implanted under breast tissue or chest muscles to increase breast size (augmentation) or rebuild breast tissue (reconstruction) after mastectomy or other damage. They are also used in revision surgeries, which correct or improve the result of an original surgery.

What Breast Implants Can Correct or Improve

Breast implants can enhance your appearance and confidence. They can correct the size, form, and feel of your breasts post-pregnancy, after weight loss, or when a congenital chest wall deformity exists. Implants can also play a crucial role in reconstructive surgical practices following mastectomy.

Types of Breast Implants

Breast implants vary by filler material, texture, shape, and profile. The most common types include:

Saline

Filled with sterile salt water, saline implants provide a uniform shape, firmness, and feel. Saline implants are highly recommended for patients as young as 18 years old.

If they leak, the implant will collapse, and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body.
Structured Saline

Also made of saline, these implants contain an inner structure aiming to make the implant feel more natural. Structured saline implants have improved shape and stability which reduces the risk of rippling.

Silicone

Silicone implants are filled with silicone gel and are designed to feel more like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell or escape into the breast implant pocket.

Gummy Bear

Form-stable implants, often known as “gummy bear” implants, maintain their shape even if the implant shell breaks. The consistency of the silicone gel inside these implants is thicker and more cohesive.

Round

Round implants make breasts appear fuller than form-stable implants. Higher profile options can achieve more projection.

Smooth

Smooth implants are the softest feeling. They can move with the breast implant pocket, which may give more natural movement.

Textured

Textured implants are made of thick and rough shells that feel similar to soft sandpaper. It reduces the likelihood of developing scar tissue and prevents the implants from moving around inside the breasts.

How to Choose the Correct Breast Implant For You

Choosing the right breast implant is a crucial decision that should be made in collaboration with a board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Pakeman. Factors such as your body frame, existing breast tissue, desired size increase, and personal preferences are important considerations in achieving your aesthetic goals.

Saline implants, which are filled with sterile saltwater, are less natural to the touch but make it easier to detect ruptures; they are FDA-approved for individuals over 18. On the other hand, silicone implants are softer, resemble natural breast tissue more closely, and are approved for those over 22, but their ruptures might not be as easily detectable. Both types of implants can experience rippling, particularly saline ones if improperly filled or placed above the muscle, and both have a risk of capsular contracture, with silicone implants having a higher reported incidence.

It’s highly recommended to consult with a plastic surgeon to explore the type of implant that aligns with your body image aspirations and medical history. Patients may also need to undergo lab tests to confirm the safety of the implant material for their overall health.

The Best Breast Implants for a Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover typically combines various procedures to restore post-pregnancy bodies. Silicone or gummy bear implants are often recommended for their natural look and feel.

What Are The Healthiest Breast Implants?

The healthiest breast implants are saline implants. When a saline implant ruptures, the salt water is safely absorbed by the body. This reduces the risk of swelling and soreness which are complications experienced from ruptured silicone implants.

However, all breast implants are extensively tested for safety and effectiveness. What’s healthiest varies from person to person based on their health history, body type, and specific needs. It’s important to discuss all options with your plastic surgeon.

Contact Us to Learn More

Choosing the right breast implant is a deeply personal decision that should be made with the guidance of an experienced professional. If you have questions or wish to learn more about how to achieve your aesthetic goals with breast implants, contact us. Our dedicated team is here to provide the information and support you need on your journey to a more confident you.