Choosing Between Silicone And Saline Breast Implants
Posted on December 24, 2012 | by Boston Plastic SurgeryThe video above gives a quick overview of breast augmentation, specifically focusing on the types of implants used and where implants are placed in the breast.
Choosing the Type of Breast Implant For Your Augmentation Goals
There are two types of breast implants that can be selected by you and your doctor to get the optimum results for your situation.
Saline implants are made of a silicone outer shell filled with a sterile salt-water solution. The saline implants can be filled before the procedure to a predetermined size or your surgeon will fill the implants at the time of your surgery.
“Women who have a fair amount of breast tissue and can cover the implant are great candidates for breast implants using saline,” said ASPS member surgeon Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh.
Silicone implants also have a silicone outer shell, but are filled with an elastic silicone gel. Because the implants are filled with a gel, silicone implants tend to feel and move more like natural breast tissue.
Dr. Alizadeh went on to say in the video, “Women who don’t have enough breast tissue, a silicone implant is probably a better option because now you’re providing a similar type of feel and look to the breast tissue that you don’t have with the patient’s breast tissue.”
Where Breast Implants Can Be Placed For The Best Results
Regardless of the type of implant chosen for your augmentation procedure, there are two places where your doctor may place your implants.
The first is known as a submuscular placement, where the implant is placed underneath the pectoral muscle. The other option is to place the implants directly behind the breast tissue, but on top of the pectoral muscle. This option is known as a submammary or subglandular placement.
With a breast augmentation procedure, it is important to talk about what you hope to accomplish with your surgeon. They will be able to recommend how to achieve the best results for your situation.
