Saline Breast Implants
Saline Breast Implants are filled with sterile salt water or “saline”. Saline implants have the highest rate of rupturing. If the shell of the implant should leak the whole implant will collapse. Saline is considered the safest option due to your body absorbing the saline if it ruptures or leaks. Saline implants are FDA approved for women ages 18 and up.
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone Breast Implants are filled with silicone gel. The gel tends to feel more natural as normal breast tissue would. If rupture was to happen or the implant shell was to leak, the silicone gel would remain within the implant or may escape into the breast implant pocket. (The space your surgeon makes to encase your implants). If silicone is your desired implant, it is recommended to follow up regularly with your Plastic Surgeon to make sure the implants are functioning correctly. These implants are FDA approved for women ages 22 and up.
Gummy Bear Implants
Gummy Bear Implants or “form-stable” implants are firmer than silicone and saline. They are a littler thicker and are less likely to break or rupture. They are tapered at the top and more projection at the bottom. One downfall is if the implant was to rotate, it could lead to unusual appearance of the breast.
Round Breast Implants
Round Breast Implants appear fuller than the Gummy Bear Implants. High profile round breast implants are an ideal choice if you want them to have more projection. Due to them being round all over there is less of a concern about them rotating out of place.
Smooth Breast Implants
Smooth Breast Implants are the softest feeling, they have the most natural movement because they are able to move with the breast implant pocket. The downfall is they have more palpable or visible rippling.
Textured Breast Implants
Textured Breast Implants are harder because scar tissue forms around and sticks to the implant. They are less likely to move around inside of the breast and get repositioned. It does however reduce the likeliness of developing a tight scar capsule.
After deciding on the perfect implant for you with your Plastic Surgeon, it is always important to follow-up with the PS to have appropriate check-ups.
Dr. Shienbaum is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience in all forms of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, including Tummy Tucks, Liposuction, Breast Augmentation, Brazilian Butt Lifts, and Mommy Makeovers. He provides services for the entire Tampa Bay area, including Brandon, St. Pete, Bradenton, Clearwater, Sarasota, and Tampa, Florida.