Breast implants are a popular option for women who wish to enhance their breast size and shape. Implants are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and styles. The type of implant you choose will depend on your goals and body.
Breast augmentation surgery is often performed to increase the size, change the shape or correct the position of the breasts. To improve your appearance and boost self-confidence, many women choose to undergo breast augmentation surgery.
If you are considering breast augmentation, one of the first questions your surgeon will ask you is which implant is right for you.
If you are considering breast augmentation, one of the first questions your surgeon will ask you is which implant is right for you. Choosing between silicone and saline implants may seem like a simple decision, but there are many factors to consider.
Many surgeons prefer using saline implants because they can be inserted through a smaller incision, which reduces scarring and recovery time. However, silicone-gel implants have better shape retention, so they’re often chosen when the patient wants to increase their cup size more than 1 full size. For example, if a woman with a B-cup wants to go up to an F-cup, she’ll likely need more volume than what’s available in saline implants.
When deciding which implant to use for your breast augmentation, it is important to consider:
- Your desired size
- The type of implant (silicone or saline)
- The stiffness of the implant (low vs high)
- Whether you want textured or smooth surface on the implant
The implant comes in two basic types: Saline and Silicone.
The implant comes in two basic types: saline and silicone. Saline implants are filled with sterile water, while silicone ones contain a gel material that is thicker than saline. The choices you make may depend on your body type, breast size and shape, and your personal preference.
Saline Implants
The advantages of saline implants are that they are less expensive, easier to place than silicone implants and have an outer shell that makes them easy to remove if necessary. The disadvantages include:
They may be more likely to leak over time because the outer shell can stretch or rupture; however, this is rare.
They have a higher rate of deflation (leaking) than silicone implants do; however, this is also rare.
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants provide more natural-looking results because their outer shell looks like real breast tissue instead of the hard shell of saline implants. The disadvantages include:
They tend to be more costly than saline implants; however, sometimes insurance companies will cover them as medically necessary for reconstructive purposes even if they don’t cover cosmetic surgery for other reasons.
They typically require a longer surgery time than saline implants do; however, both types can be placed through small incisions that are hidden beneath the nipple.
How Long Do Breast Implants Last?
You’ve heard the stories. A woman gets breast implants and they last decades. Then there are those who have had their breast implants for years, but want to get rid of them because they’re causing pain or other problems.
The truth is, breast implants are a medical device that will wear out over time. But how long do breast implants last?
Here’s what you need to know about how long breast implants can last:
How long do silicone-gel breast implants last?
Silicone-gel breast implants are filled with liquid silicone gel and saline solution. The serum can break down over time, causing changes in shape and texture. This may cause the implant to change shape or tear through the capsule wall — causing deflation or rupture. In rare cases, the silicone gel may leak out into surrounding tissue and cause an inflammatory reaction called capsular contracture (CC). This condition causes hardening around your implant that makes it difficult to move freely within the pocket formed by your chest muscle (pectoralis major) and pectoral fascia (the thin membrane covering your chest muscles).
How long do saline-filled breast implants last?
Saline-filled breast implants are made from a silicone shell. The silicone shell contains salt water that can be used to inflate or deflate the implant as needed. These implants are often used for women who need breast reconstruction after cancer treatment or other surgeries, but they can also be used as part of a cosmetic procedure.
The lifespan of saline-filled breast implants varies widely depending on individual factors such as how well you take care of yourself after surgery and whether you have additional procedures later in life.
In general, if you take care of yourself and avoid smoking, your saline-filled breast implants should last between 10 and 15 years on average.
Breast Size and Shape
Breast size and shape are the two most important factors in determining the best breast implant for you. The size of your breasts, as well as their shape and firmness, is determined by your breast tissue and the fat that surrounds it (called the breast capsule).
Your breast size is typically categorized as small, medium or large. However, an experienced plastic surgeon can also determine what size bra you wear to determine your true breast size.
Breast shape is evaluated by examining the contours of your breasts. If you want more fullness on one side than another, this can be corrected with a breast augmentation procedure. Your plastic surgeon will also consider the location of your nipples when determining the right size and type of implant to give you a balanced result that looks natural.
Which Type of Breast Implant Do You Need?
A breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that adds volume to the breasts. The implant can be made of silicone gel or saline (salt water). The type of implant you get depends on a number of factors, including your desired size and shape, whether you have had children, and the amount of breast tissue present.
Breast implants come in different shapes and sizes. Because everyone’s body is different, there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to implants. Your doctor will help you choose an implant based on your goals and measurements.
What About Breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is an important part of motherhood, and many women want to know how breast implants will affect their ability to breastfeed.
Breast implants are a safe and effective option for women who want larger breasts. But a common misconception is that breast augmentation will make breastfeeding impossible. In fact, most women who have breast implants can successfully breastfeed their babies. The key is finding a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience with this procedure and knows how to position breast implants safely.
The main concern with breastfeeding after breast augmentation is that the implant may leak or rupture during lactation, which can cause serious health problems for both mother and baby. However, most women do not experience any problems with their implants leaking during breastfeeding.
As long as you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in this area, the odds of your implant leaking during lactation are very low. If you have concerns about breastfeeding after getting breast implants, talk to our doctor about ways to minimize risk factors.
