What Are Breast Implants Made Of?
Many women consider getting breast implants at one time or another in their lives. Whether it is to make their breasts larger, to restore symmetry to unevenly sized breasts or to reshape them after pregnancy, there are many good reasons to consider breast implants. One of the first things to consider when choosing to undergo this type of procedure is the type of material that will be used. There are many different types of materials to choose from and each has different benefits. Your choice will depend on your personal preferences and style as well as the desired outcome. Your surgeon will help you decide which material will best help you achieve your goals.
SALINE IMPLANTS
Saline implants are made of a silicone outer shell filled with a sterile saline solution. These types of implants can be filled with different volumes of saline to account for a variety of factors including firmness, shape and feel.
Saline implants have the advantage of requiring a smaller incision since they are filled after they are inserted. This means that they are more adjustable and can compensate for unevenly sized breasts. As a result, discreet insertion sites are possible during surgery (for example, through the belly button,
areola, or underarm) due to the smaller incision. This type of implant is considered to be one of the safest as the saline filling would be naturally expelled from the body if it ever leaks. The trade-off is that the breast will deflate in the event of a leak. However, saline implants do have a couple of features to keep in mind. In general, they tend to feel firmer than silicone implants.
TRADITIONAL SILICONE IMPLANTS
Silicone implants are similar to saline implants since they also have a
silicone outer shell, but they are also pre-filled with a silicone gel. This type of implant is very popular due to its soft, realistic look and feel. They are also less prone to changing position over time and are less likely to rupture compared to saline implants. Should this type of breast implant leak, the gel may stay trapped inside the implant shell. If this implant is chosen,
more regular visits with your doctor to check the state of the implant will be needed compared to saline implants since a leak might not be very noticeable.
This implant also requires a longer incision because it is pre-filled, but the more realistic aesthetic of this breast implant is still an attractive feature for many women that outweighs the longer incision. This type of implant is only offered in a round shape, whereas other implants may also offer the teardrop shape. The shape that best suits your body may help you decide which material to use. In general, the teardrop shape is more expensive, but also tends to look the most natural.
HIGHLY COHESIVE SILICONE GEL IMPLANTS
This final type of breast implant is similar to the traditional silicone implant except the gel used makes the implant slightly thicker. This type of implant remains quite life-like in feel despite the increased firmness. These implants have the advantage of being available in both round and teardrop shapes and are more natural-looking. Furthermore, they tend to be the most durable of the three types of breast implants. They are less likely to leak or wrinkle when compared to both the saline and traditional silicone implants.
Their placement is also the most stable compared to the other types. Many people choose this type of implant as it offers the ability to have fuller breasts without them looking fake. For women who are increasing their breast size significantly, this is likely the best option. This option is slightly more expensive than the other two choices, but the natural look is truly impressive.
This type of implant also requires a longer incision, much like the traditional
silicone implants.
With the features of each breast implant in mind, you can make a decision about which material best suits your needs. Ask yourself a few questions: Do I want more natural-looking breasts? Do I need more customizability for my implant size? What is my budget? As always, discuss all of your options with your surgeon and find what works best for you in terms of firmness, durability,
look, feel and price. For the most natural feel, traditional silicone is best.
The material is the most life-like of the three options and the variety of sizes available allows for a perfect fit. For better durability, and a more natural look, highly cohesive silicone is best because of the choice to use the teardrop shape. For the most customizability and the most discreet incision,
saline implants offer the most flexibility for the best price. As with any decision involving surgery, always talk to your doctor. Take charge of your body and talk to your surgeon about getting a breast implant today!
