Breast Implant Options

    NEW YORK, NY, August 03, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- When choosing to undergo breast augmentation, you will be faced with a number of important decisions regarding your procedure. It is important to become familiar with the different breast implant options available so that you can make the best choice for your unique individual needs and aesthetic goals.

Breast Implant Type

You have two main types of breast implants to choose from - saline and silicone implants. Each has its pros and cons, and you will need to work with your plastic surgeon to determine which is the best option for you.

Saline breast implants are filled with a sterile salt water solution. They are a very safe breast implant option, offering you several benefits:

- They require smaller incisions than silicone breast implants
- They can be filled after being inserted into your breasts, allowing your plastic surgeon to adjust their size during the procedure to ensure each breast has a symmetrical size and shape
- In the event of a rupture, the saline solution is safely absorbed by your body
- They cost less than silicone implants

However, there are also several drawbacks to saline implants. They often feel less natural than silicone implants. Saline implants are also more prone to rippling. This is especially a concern for women with minimal natural breast tissue.

Silicone breast implants were reapproved by the FDA in 2005 after more than a decade of studies to determine their safety demonstrated that they do not pose any health risks to women. In recent years, silicone implants have become the more popular breast implant option since they feel more natural than saline implants. Since they are filled with a thick, cohesive silicone gel, they will hold their shape better than saline implants in the event of a rupture. They are also less prone to rippling.

However, there are also certain drawbacks to silicone implants. Since they come pre-filled by the manufacturer, their size and shape cannot be adjusted mid-procedure by your plastic surgeon. Silicone implants also require a larger incision.

Breast Implant Size

One of the most important decisions you will have to make regarding your breast augmentation procedure deals with the size of your breast implants. There are a variety of implant sizes to choose from, and you will need to work with your plastic surgeon to determine the ideal size to address your goals.

It is important to remember that bigger is not always better. Often, the most natural looking results will come with an implant size that is in proportion with the rest of your body. If you have a petite 5'2" frame, breast implants that give you DD cups may look a bit out of place. You also need to remember that the larger the implant, the heavier they will weigh. By choosing a more moderately sized implant, you may avoid painful back issues associated with "going too big."

Breast Implant Surface and Shape

You will also have several options for the surface and shape of your breast implants. There are two different types of implant shells - smooth and textured. Smooth breast implants have a thinner shell and are less prone to rippling. Textured implants have a rough surface similar to sandpaper. They have a thicker shell than smooth implants, and you will be less likely to develop capsular contracture, a painful complication which results in a hardening of the scar tissue around your breast implants.

You can also choose between round and contoured breast implants. Round implants are more circular in shape. As a result, it will look the same in the event that the implant flips over. Contoured implants have a teardrop shape which would suggest the simulation of more natural appearing breasts. In actuality the shape of the breasts is not influenced by the shape of the implants. Furthermore, if the implant were to flip over, this natural shape would then become more distorted, requiring a breast augmentation revision procedure.

For more information on the various breast implant options available to you, please visit the website of Dr. George Lefkovits at www.drlefkovits.com or call us at 212-750-9494, serving patients in New York City.

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