Breast Implant Options: How Do I Choose The Right Implant For Me?

For many women undergoing breast enhancement, choosing the right kind of implant can be a difficult decision. Recently, silicone implants were made available for general augmentation once again in the United States, giving women more options than ever before. There are even new brest implant options on the horizon. Here is an overview on silicone and saline implants as well as a look into the future of breast enhancement.

Silicone breast implants were first invented in 1961. Since then, they have undergone many changes and modifications in order to make them more natural-looking as well as safe. The first implants were tear-drop shaped with a thick shell protecting the material on the inside.

As the years went on, the outer shell became thinner and the silicone gel less viscous in order to better mimic the natural look and feel of a breast. These modifications created more instances of capsular contracture and implant ruptures.

Currently, the silicone implant has been manufactured to prevent leaking as much as possible while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The shell is more durable and the gel is thicker to discourage leaking. Today, silicone implants come in a variety of shapes and texture depending on individual preference.

In the past, silicone devices were banned for use in breast augmentation, with the exception of breast reconstruction. The FDA recently allowed the use of this material again, issuing a strict warning on the hazards of leaking. Because silicone is thick, a rupture in the implant can take years to detect, causing the gel to spread throughout the body. It is important to monitor these kinds of implants for irregularities.

Saline implants are made of shells similar to those used with silicone but are filled with non-toxic saline solution. They were invented in 1964 and the design has largely remained the same except for a thicker shell. The benefits of saline implants include a smaller incision (the shell is inserted in its empty state and then filled after placement), easy leak detection, and more incision options.

Although saline is often considered safer by many, some women find that they are less natural-looking and feeling. Salines are also responsible for more cosmetic irregularities such as rippling. The more preexisting breast tissue a patient has, the more natural the breast augmentation will appear.

Saline implants are also used in a fairly new augmentation technique called TUBA. This form of breast enhancement involves inserting the implant through an incision in the navel, leaving a practically invisible scar. Since the implants need to be tunneled up towards the chest, only the empty saline shells can be used.

In a few years, there may even be a new kind of implant available, completely revolutionizing breast augmentation procedures. The "gummy bear" implant is a solid form of silicone that has little chance of gel movement. It also would eliminate rippling and wrinkling of the skin as well as reduce rates of capsular contracture. Currently this implant is not available in the United States, but it may be available in the near future.