Many women choose to undergo breast augmentation surgery by a Raleigh, NC, based plastic surgeon to improve the appearance of their current breasts. Each prospective patient contemplating this cosmetic procedure should understand all of their breast implant options and choices. This includes choosing the right type and size. Women should also consider which placement method is best for their unique body type and surgical outcome wishes.

Types of Implants Available Today

There are a number of breast implant options available to women today. The two main types of implants are saline-filled, or silicon filled. There are many different kinds, shapes, sizes, etc. of each type. For example, structured saline, gummy bear shaped silicone, and traditional round.

Saline-Filled

The FDA approves these for women over the age of 18. And also, they provide a more uniform look and feel when used in appropriate patients. These implants are filled with normal sterile saline, saltwater, rather than silicone. If these implants break, the implant is designed to collapse. Then, the body will be naturally absorb and eliminate the saline through normal body functions.

Structured Saline

These breast implants also contain sterile saltwater, and they have a unique structural design that helps to create a more natural shape, appearance and feel.

Silicone Filled

This kind of implant is prefilled with a squishy silicone gel that feels the most like natural breast tissue. The FDA approves these for women age 22+ & up. This type of implant is the most widely used in the United States.

 

Different Shapes & Textures

Form-Stable or Gummy Bear

These form-stable breast implants design enables them to maintain their shape even if the implant shell breaks or leaks. These implants contain a thick silicone gel material and are firmer than traditional silicone implants. These implants are fuller at the bottom and have a tapered top portion providing upper fullness to the breast. This implant selection requires a slightly longer incision and will need surgical correction if they do rotate due to the shape.

Round

Since these are fuller and round in shape, they can achieve a fuller and more voluptuous shape and feel. For this reason, many plastic surgeons favor them.

Smooth

When the surface of a breast implant is smooth, the breasts will feel more natural when touched. Additionally, these implants can move somewhat in their pocketed insertion site in a more natural manner. The drawback is that there may be some rippling underneath the skin as the implant shifts position. This is more common in women with small busts.

Textured

Breast implants that have a textured surface are no longer used in the US due to BIA-ALCL, a rare form of lymphoma. No reputable plastic surgeon would offer these implants to patients at this time.

 

Different Placement Options For Your New Breast Implants

There are different breast implant placement options that women should be aware of. Typically, breast implants placed above the chest muscle wall will look and feel the most natural in women who have more breast tissue volume. These implants are less likely to cause problems that under the muscle implants may develop.

For women with less breast tissue volume, a plastic surgeon may recommend under the chest muscle wall placement to ensure a more natural appearance and less chances of feeling the implant upon touching of the breasts.

 

Determining Breast Implant Size for Best Possible Outcome

Many prospective breast implant patients are concerned about what size their implants should be. The best way to ensure a satisfactory breast augmentation outcome is to discuss this with your plastic surgeon during your initial consultation appointment. Many breast augmentation surgeons allow patients to try out a variety of breast implant sizes to better determine each individual patient’s implant size that meets her post-surgical wishes.

Why Breast Implants Are a Popular Mommy Makeover Addition

Many women include breast implants as part of their overall mommy makeover plan. Often breast augmentation is accompanied by breast lift, breast reduction, and tummy tuck or liposuction. Fat grafting to the breasts can also enhance a breast augmentation procedure. It can help to hide any telltale ripples when a woman changes position. And also gives a more natural long-term look and feel that most women desire.

In conclusion, there are seemingly endless variations of breast implants. It is important to gain a general understanding about what is going into your body. However, in most cases, it’s best to leave the specifics up to the one who knows the most about them, your plastic surgeon. Once you have communicated what you want to ultimately achieve, your surgeon has the knowledge and experience to do the rest.

Contact Zenn Plastic Surgery in Raleigh to schedule your breast implant consultation. Visit https://zennplasticsurgery.comto learn more anytime online.

 

 

 


Back to Blog
Contact us media
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at (919) 366 7233.
Contact Us