Today, there are a wide variety of Breast Implant options available, capable of helping women of all ages and builds achieve their desired aesthetic results. Breast implants come in a plethora of shapes, sizes, textures, and styles. The options are seemingly limitless, including silicone gel, saline, and gummy bear. Unfortunately, making sense of all of these terms can be difficult. While there is a tremendous amount of information on the Internet about breast implants, the details can become muddled. Many women end up feeling overwhelmed when attempting to make an informed decision on the right type implant on their own. Luckily, the distinctions between implant types are quite easy to understand with a few key pieces of insight from Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery.
Breast Implant Options: Silicone, Saline, and Gummy Bear
First and foremost, the material used to fill the implant will make a dramatic impact on the way your chest will look and feel. Silicone gel and saline solution, each encased in a silicone shell, make up the two major classes of implants, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on the market today. Both implants have pros and cons, primarily attributed to the filling material.
Saline Implants
Saline implants are filled with a salt-water solution after being placed in the body. This type of implant has been around the longest, and can provide excellent results for most women. Since they do not come pre-filled, saline implants require a smaller incision than silicone. This provides a large selection of incision options, either under breast (inframammary), around the nipple (periareolar), or under the arm (axillary).This also ensures extremely precise sizing, as the final contouring can be done by the surgeon after placement.
Opting for saline implants, patients can expect a firmer, rounder-looking result. Saline implants do not provide the same kind of natural softness as their silicone counterparts. They can be prone to visible rippling under the skin, on the sides of the breast. Although saline implants are a less expensive option than silicone, they are less popular, as the final results are not as organic-looking.
Silicone Gel Implants
Silicone gel implants are the most popular option for breast augmentation today. They look and feel extremely realistic, providing a soft breast that moves organically with the woman. Silicone implants are prefilled, meaning they require a slightly larger incision, although this is easily hidden within the breast crease, remaining well-concealed. However, silicone implants come in a large number of shapes and volumes for a custom-tailored appearance.
Slightly more expensive than saline, silicone implants are the choice for over 90% of the breast augmentation patients at Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery. The soft and supple nature of the implant, along with its FDA-approved safety rating, make it easy to see why silicone is often a woman’s number one option.
Gummy Bear Implants
One of the newest breast implant options is often referred to as the ‘Gummy Bear Implant’. Made from a cohesive silicone gel, these implants are firm, yet pliable with a smooth, organic shape. Gummy bear implants have a very low rate of leakage and the strong gel is known to keep its shape, even when ruptured. Approved by the FDA as a safe and effective option, the Gummy Bear implant provides yet another efficient choice for women.
Choosing the Best Breast Implant for You
Deciding on the right implant type, shape, and volume will depend on your personal desires and individual anatomy. During your consultation appointment, Dr. Vitenas will determine the width, projection, and existing amount of natural breast tissue, before suggesting an implant type or size. The right implant will provide a fuller chest that is proportionate to your height, weight, and build, as well as lending to your personality and lifestyle.
The breast augmentation consultation appointment will provide a time to try on various implant sizers, getting the chance to see and feel how each implant may look on your individual body. Dr. Vitenas will explain the breast augmentation process in detail, and answer any questions that you still have. Finally, he will make a recommendation based on your specific needs and desires, ensuring long-term satisfaction.
Breast Implant Choices at Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery
Dr. Paul Vitenas is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, with close to 30 years of breast augmentation experience. Bringing patients exceptional skill, combined with an artistic eye and surgical precision, Dr. Vitenas is adept at restoring self-esteem and confidence in the appearance.
To find out more about your breast implant options, contact Houston’s Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery for a consultation appointment. Call our office at 281.484.0088 to speak with a patient coordinator, or fill out our online Contact Us form. Not from the area? Consultations can be performed in person, or virtually. Ask your patient coordinator for more details on the online consultation process.
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