Breast implant options can be surprisingly overwhelming. Between choosing a size, shape, type, and profile, patients may realize the choice is a much more complicated one. Dr. Sajan can provide advice and input based on the patient’s needs. The easiest decision to make before even coming into the office though is the type of breast implant.
Saline Implants
Saline breast implants consist of an empty shell that Dr. Sajan fills with saline during surgery. This allows for a smaller incision and the size is somewhat adjustable within the operating room. Possible benefits of choosing saline breast implants include:
- Can be overfilled to a larger size
- Saline poses no risks to the body
- Only implant that can be placed using a belly button incision
- Good option for patients with a good amount of existing breast tissue
- Rupture immediately evident in the rare event it occurs
The one trade off of saline implants is that some believe they do not feel or look as natural. This is why saline implants are not recommended for petite patients. In thin women or those with little breast tissue, saline implants are more likely to show wrinkling or rippling.
Silicone Implants
Silicone breast implants—the most popular breast implant choice—consists of a silicone shell with a silicone gel filling. This results in soft, natural feeling breast implants. Since the implants come pre-filled, they do require a slightly larger incision. Some of the benefits of choosing silicone gel filled implants include:
- Natural look and feel
- Comes in different shapes
- Soft
- Little chance of wrinkling or rippling
- Ideal for petite or thin patients
- Great option for women with little natural breast tissue
The downside of silicone implants is that—while rare—if a rupture happens, it is often not immediately evident. With that said, modern silicone implants are designed not to leak silicone and hold their shape. Today’s silicone implants are completely different and much safer than those of the past.
Gummy Bear Implants
Gummy bear breast implants are a type of silicone implant that are shaped like a teardrop. They also often have texturing on the outer shell to keep the implant in place. Gummy bear implants are the newest breast implant option. The benefits of choosing gummy bear breast implants include:
- Move around in the breast pocket less
- Highly cohesive gel filling
- Firmer feel than traditional silicone implants
- Teardrop shaped to mimic the natural breast shape
- Provide more projection relative to the size of the implant
- Natural look and feel
Other than the normal downsides of silicone breast implants, gummy bear breast implants do not have any additional drawbacks. Some patients have concerns about textured implants. Allure Esthetic uses implants that have never been recalled, including the textured gummy bear implants.