The choice of breast implants will have an impact on the final outcome of breast augmentation cosmetic surgery. It is important to have a basic understanding of the construction of these breast implants. The primary types of breast implants approved by the FDA include silicone and saline implants.
An experienced plastic surgeon will try to explain the pros and cons of various implant choices and help the patient make an informed decision. Dr. Hisham Seify is a board certified plastic surgeon providing breast augmentation and other procedures to patients in Newport Beach, Orange County, CA, and nearby locations.
Breast Implant Shell
In a breast implant device, the outer portion is called the shell. This shell is made of silicone for both saline and silicone gel based implants. This outer shell silicone is not the ‘gel’ type, but a firmer type of silicone, which makes the shell reasonably thick and durable. The surface of the shell may be created smooth or textured. Prior to the breast augmentation plastic surgery, the patient will have to make choices such as the texture of the implant shell.
Breast implants with a smooth surface are slippery and can move around if the breast pocket where the shell is placed is roomy enough. On the other hand, textured implants are designed not to move within the breast pocket. As an experienced cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Seify helps his patients in Newport Beach, Orange County, CA, and nearby areas make the right choices.
Breast Implant Core
The core of the breast implant is filled with either silicone gel or a saline solution. Both types of implants are easily accessible in the US, and both are approved by the FDA. Saline implants are originally empty, and the surgeon will fill them in the required volume at the time of the augmentation procedure. This gives an advantage of a relatively smaller incision to insert the implant in the deflated condition.
However, in recent years, silicone gel based implants have become more popular because of the natural touch and feel of the material. These implants come prefilled with the gel in specific sizes, and the gel volume cannot be added or removed later. In case of saline implants, the woman should be in age group of over 18 years, and in case of silicone implants, she should be above 21 years.
Apart from the age limitations, there are no other restrictions on the use of saline or silicone implants for breast enhancement in the US today. The implants may also be used in breast reconstruction following a mastectomy or loss of breast tissue due to an injury.
Highly Cohesive Silicone Implants
Some of the latest qualities in silicone implants are filled with an advanced quality of silicone gel, which is highly cohesive in nature. The strong density of the gel ensures that even in the instance of implant shell damage, the gel does not leak out from the shell or spread to other areas of the body. This makes it a fairly safe option among silicone implants. The other benefit is that highly cohesive silicone implants are aesthetically superior and provide a more natural touch and feel.