Once a woman has decided to undergo breast augmentation and selected an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon, she must then consider several implant options for her surgery.
While some patients have made up their minds about implant size, shape, and texture, this decision should be made with a plastic surgeon’s guidance to achieve the desired look and feel of the breasts.
However, familiarity with implants choices can allow women to actively participate in the development of their surgical plan for breast augmentation.  This process involves selecting implant composition, shape, and texture.
So, which implants are right for your breast augmentation? Here’s what you need to consider.

What Are Saline Implants?

All breast implants are comprised of a silicone shell that contains either saline or silicone. However, saline implants include sterile saltwater, which is the same fluid that is used in IV bags to administer medication and electrolytes.
Saline implants can either be manufactured as pre-filled or require that the proper amount of saline is injected into the implant shell during surgery.
Additionally, if a woman experiences a possible rupture in her saline implants, the leaking fluid is composed of substances that naturally occur in the body.

What Are Silicone Implants?

Alternatively, silicone implants are made of a versatile polymer that is thicker and more viscous than saline. As a result, many women and surgeons find that silicone implants more closely resemble the look and feel of natural breast tissue.
Nevertheless, rupture of a silicone implant is less detectable and requires proper imaging to assess.

What Are Other Implant Considerations for Breast Augmentation?

Once patients have decided between saline and silicone, they must also choose round or anatomical as the shape of their implants. While round implants achieve more upper pole breast fullness, anatomical, also known as teardrop-shaped, add more volume to the lower pole of the breasts.
Lastly, a woman and her plastic surgeon must elect a smooth or textured outer shell for her breast implants. Smooth implants tend to offer more natural movement of augmented breasts, and textured implants anchor more readily and are less likely to rotate.
For expert guidance in selecting breast implants to achieve your goals for breast augmentation surgery, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation.