Breast augmentation ranks as the most common cosmetic surgical procedure performed in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), more than 300,000 breast augmentations were performed in 2017, compared to roughly 246,000 liposuction procedures. But if you’re thinking about getting breast implants, you should familiarize yourself with the different types. While all types of implants are designed to mimic the look and characteristics of real breast tissue, there are key differences between them that shouldn’t be ignored.
Saline
Saline breast implants are comprised of a sterile saltwater solution. They were invented in the mid-1960s and have become a popular choice for individuals seeking breast augmentation. During the procedure, the surgeon places an empty sac into the patient’s breast cavity, after which he or she fills it with saline. Because of this, saline breast implants allow for smaller incisions and, subsequently, faster recovery. And in the event of a leakage, you don’t have to worry about toxicity. Your body will absorb the sterile saltwater without ill effect.
Saline implants also have a low risk of rippling. The saltwater solution keeps the implants smooth and prevents them from developing dimples or ripples.
Silicone
Silicone is another common type of breast implant. Pioneered by cosmetic plastic surgeons Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow in the mid-1960s, silicone implants feature viscous silicon gel to achieve a more realistic texture than its saline counterpart. Rather than filling the tear-shaped sacs with saline, the surgeon places a sac that’s already been filled with silicone gel into the patient’s breast cavity.
Although they’ve been around for more than a half-century, silicone breast implants have drastically improved since their inception. In the 1970s, manufacturers switched to a larger-gauge sac with a more cohesive silicone gel. This resulted in fewer ruptures and improved texture. Since then, numerous other advancements have been made in silicone breast implants. Third- and fourth-generation silicone implants were invented in the 1980s, for example, which used an elastomer coating to protect against rupture. Manufacturers have also improved the overall design of silicone implants to make them more realistic.
Gummy Bear
The latest type of breast implant on the market is gummy bear. Technically, gummy bear is a special type of silicone. Also known as fifth-generation silicone, gummy bear implants are comprised of highly cohesive silicone gel from which it receives its namesake. While earlier generations of silicone gel were cohesive, this new generation is even thicker and more viscous.
Like gummy bear candies, these implants retain their shape under pressure, allowing for long-lasting results. There’s little or no risk of gummy bear implants deflating or deforming. Rather, they retain their shape without succumbing to the effects of gravity, pressure or other forces. This makes gummy bear implants a smart investment for individuals seeking breast augmentation.
Furthermore, gummy bear implants don’t leak like saline or less-cohesive silicone implants. If the outer shell is compromised, none of the silicone gel will leak due to its highly cohesive properties. The silicone gel will remain in place without causing any noticeable change in appearance or texture.
How Breast Implants Can Improve Your Life
The most commonly cited reason for getting breast implants is to improve the appearance of a person’s breast. No woman in the world has breasts that are perfectly proportional with each other. However, if a woman has one breast that’s significantly higher or lower than the other, it can lead to self-confidence and body image problems. The good news is that breast implants can help women overcome this challenge by providing them with proportional breasts.
Self-confidence will affect many areas of your life. If you aren’t confident, you may avoid social situations, spend all day sleeping and neglect your personal health. But if your breasts are contributing to your low self-confidence, you should consider breast augmentation. It’s a safe, minimally invasive procedure that’s performed more than a quarter-million times a year in the United States. Just remember choose the right type of implant.
Choosing the Right Type of Implant
So, which type of breast implant should you choose? Saline, silicone and gummy bear are all effective solutions for breast augmentation, and they’ve all been approved by the FDA. As revealed here, though, each type has unique characteristics. Saline implants are less invasive whereas silicone and gummy bear offer improved results. The latter, however, has become the preferred choice by countless patients because of its superior texture and its ability to retain its shape.
If you’re considering breast augmentation in Chicago or New York, contact Doctors Plastic Surgery to learn more about the different types of implants and which one is right for you. Their team of highly trained, board-certified cosmetic surgeons have helped thousands of people achieve their desired physique. Visit website at www.doctorsplasticsurgery.com to schedule your consultation with one of the expert doctors.
Photo by Ömürden Cengiz on Unsplash
