Understanding Your Options for Breast Augmentation
If you’re considering breast augmentation, one of the first things you’ll realize is that breast implants are not a one-size-fits-all. In today’s day in age, breast implants come in different fill materials, shapes, sizes, profiles, and textures, giving women more options than ever when it comes to creating a result that fits their body and aesthetic goals.
It’s great to have plenty of options to choose from, but where do you start?
At The Centre, P.C., we believe an informed patient is an empowered patient. Understanding the differences between the most popular breast implants can help you have a more productive conversation with your board-certified plastic surgeon and feel confident about your options.
What Are Breast Implants?
Breast implants are medical devices used to increase breast size and improve breast shape and fullness. They consist of an outer silicone shell and are filled with either saline or silicone gel.
Breast augmentation may be performed to enhance naturally smaller breasts, restore volume that has changed following pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or other life changes, or improve breast symmetry.
The goal isn’t simply to choose an implant size. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will consider your individual anatomy, existing breast tissue, chest dimensions, skin quality, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals when recommending an implant.
Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants
The two primary categories of breast implants are saline implants and silicone gel implants.
Saline Breast Implants
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. The silicone shell is placed into the breast pocket and then filled to the desired volume.
One potential advantage of saline implants is that they can be inserted while empty and filled once they are in place, which may allow for a smaller incision in some cases.
If a saline implant ruptures, the saline is absorbed by the body and the implant typically deflates, making the change more noticeable.
Saline implants remain an option for breast augmentation, although silicone gel implants are currently a popular choice among many patients seeking a natural look and feel.
Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Silicone implants are filled with a cohesive silicone gel designed to mimic the feel of natural breast tissue more closely than traditional saline implants.
Modern silicone implants use cohesive gel technology, meaning the gel is designed to hold together rather than behave like a liquid.
Silicone implants are available in a variety of sizes and profiles, allowing your surgeon to customize the implant selection to your anatomy and desired outcome.
If a silicone implant ruptures, it may not cause an obvious change in breast size or shape. This is sometimes referred to as a “silent rupture.” The FDA recommends appropriate imaging surveillance for silicone gel breast implants, even when there are no symptoms.
What Are “Gummy Bear” Breast Implants?
You may have heard the term “gummy bear implants.”
Despite the fun name, gummy bear implants aren’t made from a different material than silicone implants. The term generally refers to form-stable or highly cohesive silicone gel implants.
The silicone gel is firmer and designed to maintain its shape. This can provide a different feel and appearance compared with less cohesive gel implants.
Some gummy bear implants have a shaped or anatomical design, while others are round.
Your surgeon can help determine whether a cohesive gel implant is appropriate based on your anatomy and goals.
Round vs. Shaped Breast Implants
Breast implants can also differ in shape.
Round Breast Implants
Round implants are circular and are one of the most commonly used implant shapes for breast augmentation.
They can provide increased fullness, particularly in the upper portion of the breast, depending on the implant’s profile, size, placement, and the patient’s existing breast tissue.
One advantage of a round implant is that rotation is generally less of a concern because the implant maintains the same appearance if it rotates.
Shaped Breast Implants
Shaped, or anatomical, implants are designed with more fullness toward the bottom of the implant and a tapered upper portion.
They can create a different breast shape and may be considered for certain patients based on their anatomy and desired aesthetic.
Because shaped implants have a specific orientation, rotation can affect their appearance. Your surgeon will discuss whether a shaped implant makes sense for your individual situation.
What Does Breast Implant Profile Mean?
Another term you may hear during your breast augmentation consultation is implant profile.
Profile refers to how far an implant projects outward from the chest relative to its diameter or base width.
Common profile options include:
- Low profile
- Moderate profile
- Moderate-plus profile
- High profile
- Extra-high profile
Not every manufacturer offers every profile, and terminology can vary between implant brands.
A higher-profile implant generally has a narrower base and projects farther forward, while a lower-profile implant tends to have a wider base with less forward projection.
This doesn’t mean that a higher profile is automatically “better” or that it will always look more dramatic. Implant profile is selected based on your chest width, breast anatomy, amount of existing tissue, desired size, and overall proportions.
What Size Breast Implant Should You Choose?
One of the most common questions patients ask is:
“What size implant should I get?”
There isn’t a universal answer.
Breast implant size is measured in cubic centimeters (cc) rather than bra cup size. A particular implant volume can look very different on two women depending on their height, chest width, breast tissue, skin elasticity, and body proportions.
That’s why choosing an implant based solely on a desired cup size isn’t always the best approach.
Instead, your plastic surgeon will evaluate your anatomy and discuss the look you’re hoping to achieve. Implant sizing tools, sizers, and other methods may also be used during the consultation to help you visualize your options.
What About Implant Placement?
Although implant placement isn’t technically a type of implant, it is another important part of your breast augmentation plan.
Breast implants may be placed:
Above the muscle (subglandular): The implant is positioned beneath the breast tissue and above the chest muscle.
Partially beneath the muscle (submuscular or dual-plane): The implant is positioned partially beneath the pectoral muscle, depending on the surgical technique and patient’s anatomy.
The best placement depends on factors such as your existing breast tissue, implant choice, body composition, and desired result.
Which Breast Implant Is Best?
There is no single breast implant that is best for every woman.
The right implant depends on several factors, including:
- Your natural breast size and shape
- Chest width and overall anatomy
- Amount of existing breast tissue
- Skin elasticity
- Desired breast size
- Desired fullness and projection
- Lifestyle and personal preferences
- Whether you’ve experienced pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight changes
- Your surgeon’s assessment and recommendations
A breast augmentation should be personalized to you, rather than choosing an implant simply because it is popular.
How Do You Choose the Right Breast Implant?
Your consultation is one of the most important parts of the breast augmentation process.
At The Centre, P.C., your board-certified plastic surgeon will evaluate your anatomy, listen to your goals, and discuss the different implant options available to you.
You can ask questions such as:
- Would saline or silicone implants be better suited to me?
- What implant size would complement my proportions?
- Would a round or shaped implant be appropriate?
- What profile would create the look I’m hoping for?
- Where would my implants be placed?
- What can I realistically expect from breast augmentation?
- What are the risks and potential complications?
- How will my implants need to be monitored over time?
The goal isn’t to find the “perfect” implant on your own. It’s to work with an experienced plastic surgeon to find the option that makes the most sense for your anatomy and your goals.
Breast Augmentation in Mishawaka, Indiana
If you’re in Mishawaka, South Bend, Granger, or the greater Michiana area, schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons at The Centre, P.C. to explore your options. – Breast augmentation is a highly individualized procedure, and choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon is an important part of the process.
During your consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your goals, learn about different breast implant options, and determine whether breast augmentation is right for you.
Ready to explore your options?
Contact The Centre, P.C. at (574) 968-9100 Opt. 2 to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons or visit TheCentrePC.com!
