Breast Implant Choices

Now women choosing breast augmentation have more implant choices than ever before. There are two implant fillers available, saline and silicone; and implants are available in various dimensions and shapes. Surgeons and patients are now able to more precisely choose the optimal implant.

Saline filled implants and silicone gel filled implants are both safe and approved for use by the FDA in the United States. An implant filled with silicone gel feels more soft and natural than does an implant filled with saline; however, once the implants are placed beneath the breast tissue and chest wall muscle, the difference in the feel of the implant can be minimal. A saline filled implant with adequate soft tissue coverage (an implant that is not too big) can feel just as soft and natural as a silicone gel implant. Breast shape after augmentation is determined by the size, dimension, and shape of the implant rather than the type of implant filler. Because the saline implants are filled once they are inside the implant pocket but the silicone implants come pre-filled, the incision needed to place silicone implants is sometimes larger than the incision needed to place saline implants.

Implants are round shaped or "tear-drop" shaped. The "tear-drop" shaped implants have more projection (fullness) on the bottom of the implant and less fullness on the top of the implant. For women with very little natural breast tissue the "tear-drop" shaped implant may have some advantages and provide a more natural shape after surgery; however, the "tear-drop" implants do not move once they are placed in the implant pocket (otherwise the implant may shift and be positioned incorrectly). Most women prefer the more natural feel of an implant that moves as a breast moves and therefore prefer a round implant rather than a "tear-drop" shaped implant.

Implants come in different projections and profiles. A low profile implant has a wide base diameter and low projection, a high profile implant has a narrow base and the most projection, while a mid profile implant is between the two. The diameter and the projection of the implant are very important in determining the shape of the breast following surgery. As the diameter of the implant increases, the implant is positioned further under the arm and higher up the chest wall. Each patient's anatomy determines the range of implant diameter and implant projection that will provide a natural looking breast after surgery. The variety of implant profiles available offers the patient and surgeon more choices and the ability to precisely choose the proper implant to meet each patient's expectations.

After listening to your goals from breast augmentation surgery and completing a proper history and physical examination, your surgeon can help you decide which implant is best for you. Please make sure that your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.