A breast implant is a medical artificial breast-like tissue that is placed inside the breasts to reconstruct or augment them. They are aesthetically safe and secure and have been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Statistics show that implants are the top breast enhancement procedure option.
Types of Breast Implants
There are three main types of breast implants, silicone gel implants, and saline implants. All of these are made with an outer silicone material but are filled with different solutions. Here is more information regarding breast implants.
1. Saline Breast Implants
These types of breast implants are filled with a sterile saline solution or salty water. They are either filled during surgery or can be pre-filled before implant placement. Depending on the results of the surgery expected, a saline implant is filled with different amounts of the saline solution. In a case where a saline implant ruptures, the saline solution is absorbed and naturally expelled by the body without causing any harm.
2. Silicone Gel Breast Implants
These types of implants contain silicone gel inside them. They feel more like real breasts which makes most women prefer them over saline implants. A silicone gel implant is first filled before it is inserted into the breasts. Unlike a saline implant, when it ruptures, it may not be easily detected since the gel will either leak into the breast pocket or stay within the implant’s shell. Women with a silicone gel implant are advised to regularly visit the doctor for check-ups such as MRI and Ultrasound scans to be able to know whether the implants are in good shape.
3. Gummy Bear Breast Implants
A gummy bear implant is an improved version of a silicone gel implant. It contains an outer silicone shell and a filler material that is filled with a thicker silicone gel compared to the traditional silicone implant. A gummy bear implant is teardrop-shaped which means that it barely shifts in position once placed inside the breasts. This is advantageous over other types of breast implants, especially at the time of rupture. A gummy bear implant focuses more on adding the breasts’ volume rather than the shape. Similar to normal silicone gel implants, when a gummy bear implant ruptures, it may be difficult to detect unless with the help of an MRI.
The Ideal Breast Implant
This is the latest model of breast implants. An ideal breast implant is an improved saline implant that is rounded with a smooth surface and an internal structure. It is made with two lumens, an internal and external one. Both lumens are filled with saline fluid through valves found in the patch for the inner shell, and another valve found on the front for the outer shell. The ideal implant is designed to give women natural, beautiful, and smooth breasts with minimal risks of implant rupture, and capsular contracture.
1. Breast Implant Texture
A breast implant is either known to have a smooth, or textured outer shell. These surfaces are uniquely different, with varying functions.
– Smooth Breast Implants
A breast implant with a smooth surface seems more natural. Its walls are less thick than those of a textured breast implant. When placed inside the breast implant’s pocket, it tends to move around more, especially upon any slight shift of the body. They are usually round in shape which makes it easier for them to reposition themselves inside the breasts. Due to their soft nature, they blend in faster with breast tissue.
– Textured Breast Implants
A textured breast implant has a rough surface. Its outer shell is thick enough such that it creates a firmer feel than a smooth-rounded implant. When a textured implant is placed inside the implant pocket within the breast, it firmly attaches itself to the walls of the breast which limits it from repositioning. It is suitable for a person suffering from pectus excavatum, a condition that makes the breast bones be convex or concave in shape. In addition, a textured breast implant can either be round or tear-drop in shape.
The Shape of Breast Implants
A breast implant can either be round or tear-drop-shaped. Those with smooth surfaces are round in shape whereas those with textured surfaces can either have a round or tear-drop shape. A round breast implant can easily be repositioned inside the breasts compared to a tear-drop-shaped breast implant. Depending on your preference, and your doctor’s medical analysis, find the shape that will work best for you.
Cost of Breast Implants
Breast implants do not have a fixed price. Their cost is included in the whole breast augmentation surgery, and it depends on several factors such as the type of implants used, the surgeon performing the procedure, the location of the surgeon’s facility, and the status of the facility. Basically, the cost of a breast implant surgery is high which requires serious financial planning. Also, most health insurance companies do not cover the cost of this surgery simply because it is seen as a cosmetic procedure. The general cost of a breast augmentation surgery with implants ranges between $3,900-$10,000.
Conclusion
With the assistance from this article, we hope that it will provide more information about breast implants.