Your Guide to Types of Breast Implants

Breast Implants play a pivotal role in plastic surgery, offering solutions for enhancing body contours and restoring confidence. With advancements in technology, the variety of implants has expanded, allowing for personalized approaches to meet individual patient desires. From silicone to saline, each material offers unique benefits and considerations. The choice of implant not only affects the aesthetic outcome but also the surgical approach and recovery process.

Understanding the significance of each type is crucial for making informed decisions.  Our clinic, Panache Aesthetics, is dedicated to providing you with the knowledge and expertise needed to navigate these choices effectively.

Silicone Gel-Filled Implants

These implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel that is designed to maintain its shape and feel natural.

• Pros:
  • Natural Feel: Silicone gel implants often have a more natural feel and appearance compared to saline-filled implants.
  • Shape Retention: They tend to maintain their shape well over time, even after changes in weight.
  • Less Rippling: Silicone gel implants are less likely to show rippling or wrinkling through the skin.
• Cons:
  • Risk of Rupture: While rare, silicone gel implants can rupture. If a rupture occurs, the gel may remain contained within the implant or leak into surrounding tissues.
  • MRI Screening: Women with silicone gel implants may require more frequent MRI screenings to detect any potential ruptures.

Saline-Filled Implants

These implants are filled with sterile saline solution. If the implant ruptures, the saline is absorbed by the body, and the implant becomes deflated.

• Pros:
  • Lower Risk of Rupture: Saline-filled implants are less likely to rupture compared to silicone gel implants.
  • Immediate Detection: If a saline implant ruptures, it becomes immediately noticeable due to the loss of volume.
  • MRI Screening: MRI screenings are generally not required for saline-filled implants.
• Cons:
  • Less Natural Feel: Saline-filled implants may feel firmer and less natural compared to silicone gel implants.
  • Shape Change: They may be more susceptible to changes in shape or deflation over time, especially with significant weight fluctuations.
  • Rippling: Saline-filled implants may be more prone to rippling or wrinkling through the skin.

Gummy bear implants

They are a type of silicone gel-filled breast implant that have a more cohesive and shapely structure compared to traditional silicone implants. They are named after their gummy bear-like consistency.

Pros of gummy bear implants:

• Enhanced Shape: Gummy bear implants are designed to maintain a more natural and rounded shape, even after changes in weight or body position.
• Reduced Rippling: The cohesive nature of gummy bear gel helps to minimize the risk of rippling or wrinkling through the skin.
• Improved Projection: These implants can provide a more projected and lifted appearance to the breasts.

Cons of gummy bear implants:

• Higher Cost: Gummy bear implants may be more expensive than traditional silicone implants due to their specialized design and manufacturing process.
• Limited Availability: They may not be as widely available as traditional implants, depending on your location.
• Potential for Rupture: While the risk of rupture is generally low with gummy bear implants, it can still occur.

Round vs. Tear Drop Shaped Breast Implants

Breast implants come in two primary shapes: round and tear drop. Each has its own unique characteristics that can influence the final appearance of the breasts.

Round Implants

• Shape: Round implants are, as the name suggests, perfectly round.
• Pros:
  • Versatility: Round implants can be used to achieve a variety of breast shapes and sizes, making them a popular choice for many patients.
  • Natural Look: When placed correctly, round implants can create a natural-looking breast shape.
• Cons:
  • Less Natural Projection: Round implants may not provide as much natural projection or lift as tear drop implants, especially for patients with a naturally narrow chest.

Tear Drop Implants

• Shape: Tear drop implants are shaped like a teardrop, with a wider base and a narrower top.
• Pros:
  • Natural Projection: Tear drop implants can provide more natural-looking projection and lift, especially for patients with a narrow chest.
  • Defined Shape: They can create a more defined breast shape with a more pointed bottom.
• Cons:
  • Less Versatility: Tear drop implants may be less versatile than round implants, as they are primarily designed to create a more projected and lifted look.

Smooth vs. Textured Breast Implants

Breast implants come in two main textures: smooth and textured. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice for you will depend on your individual preferences and medical history.

Smooth Implants

Smooth implants have a smooth surface.

• • Higer Risk of Capsular Contracture: Capsular contracture, a condition where the implant becomes encased in a thickened capsule of scar tissue, is more common with smooth implants.
  • Better Suited in thin patients: If very thin patients, with significantly less tissue, smooth implants will appear better, as there will be no wrinkling and dimpling of overlying skin.

Textured Implants

Textured implants have a rough or textured surface.

Reduced Capsular Contracture: Textured implants can help to reduce the risk of capsular contracture, especially when placed correctly.

They are more firm, and hold shape better. For tear shaped implants, these are the preferred type.