Breast Implant Options
If you have decided to pursue breast augmentation surgery in the Houston area with double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sugene Kim, congratulations! This amazing procedure can restore your sense of femininity and self-confidence. That being said, undergoing breast enhancement surgery is a serious undertaking that involves making several choices along the way. One of the most important decisions you will make is what type and shape of breast implants to use in your procedure. To help you decide, Dr. Kim shares some information about your breast implant options.
Saline vs. Silicone
First, you must decide whether to get saline or silicone breast implants. Both types of implants offer certain advantages and disadvantages.
- Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution that your body can safely absorb in case your implant leaks or ruptures. Because these implants are filled after they are inserted, Dr. Kim can use a slightly smaller incision than with silicone implants during surgery. However, saline implants are more prone to wrinkling or rippling within the implant pocket. For this reason, they are not necessarily an appropriate option for women with thin skin or little body fat, as the implants may be visible underneath the surface of the skin.
- Silicone implants are the most popular choice among Dr. Kim’s breast augmentation patients. These implants contain a cohesive silicone gel that many women believe provides a more natural look and feel than saline. They are less likely to fold or wrinkle within the implant pocket and may be a better option for women with thin skin and low body fat. The cohesive silicone will not leak out of the implant if the outer shell ruptures. This makes it difficult to detect whether there is a problem with the implant. In addition, silicone implants require a slightly larger incision for placement, as they are pre-filled by the manufacturer prior to surgery.
Smooth vs. Textured
Regardless of the filling material, all implants have a silicone outer shell that can be smooth or textured. Textured breast implants have been shown to reduce the incidence of capsular contracture, a potentially painful condition in which scar tissue forms and hardens around the implant. A textured outer shell also helps prevent anatomically shaped implants from moving around within the implant pocket. However, textured implants are usually stiffer in feeling and have a higher rate of implant rupture.
Round vs. Anatomic
Finally, you have a choice between round and teardrop-shaped implants. Round implants tend to provide a more dramatic degree of cleavage throughout the upper chest, which is aesthetically appealing to some patients. Also, with round implants, you do not necessarily have to worry about the implants “flipping over” or shifting within the implant pocket, because the implant will look the same whether it shifts or not. Nevertheless, teardrop-shaped implants are anatomically correct and therefore more closely resemble the look of natural breasts. They are often a good choice for women undergoing breast reconstruction surgery following mastectomy for the treatment of breast cancer.
For helpful information about choosing breast implant size, visit this blog post.
For More Information
For more information about your breast implant choices, request a consultation with Dr. Kim using our online form or by calling (281) 363-4546. To see her beautiful results, visit her online patient photo gallery. During your consultation, she can evaluate your unique physique, listen to your goals for surgery and recommend the type, texture and shape of implant that is right for you. She can also answer any questions you may have.