Women considering breast augmentation are faced with a difficult decision: which breast implant or procedure should they choose?
This choice is extremely consequential as each implant type varies in terms of their look and feel, medical risks, and cost. Given that implants stay in your body for a long time, you should be certain of your choice.
Each implant type has its pros and cons, and there is no implant that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Your goal, then, is to find the implants that best suit your unique needs.
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Choosing The Right Implant For You
Breast augmentation used to be a simpler matter a few decades ago, as women only had to pick between saline and silicone implants. Today, the choice for implants is fourfold: saline, silicone, gummy bear, and fat graft.
While these choices may seem overwhelming, they have distinct pros and cons. If you have a clear idea of your breast augmentation goals, you are likely to find an implant that is perfect for you. At the end of the day, the implants you go with should be entirely based on your personal preferences and your cosmetic surgeon’s recommendations.
Continue the conversation with Dr. Ladak! Alberta Plastic Surgery is Edmonton’s resident specialist in breast augmentation. Call (780) 407-6691 or fill out the online contact form to get started.
You Should Get Saline Implants If…
Saline implants consist of silicone shells filled with a sterile saline solution. They account for 44% of all breast implants, making them a popular choice. Saline implants are best known for their roundness. Women who want a bolder, more prominent look may appreciate these implants, but those looking for a more natural appearance may look elsewhere.
Shape aside, saline implants are more amenable to revision surgeries and scar-less. For instance, the incision needed for saline implants is smaller than that for silicone implants. Furthermore, a rupture in a saline implant is generally less concerning than a tear in a different implant. That is because the body can easily and safely absorb the sterile saline solution. All these points make saline implants a safe choice for breast augmentation.
Saline implants are the best choice for women who want to minimize medical complications at the expense of a more organic appearance.
You Should Get Silicone Implants If…
Silicone implants entail filling silicone shells with silicone gel. These implants are famous for their teardrop shape that imitates the look of real breasts and their soft texture that feels like real breast tissue. Silicone implants are also known for their lightness, which makes them a smart option for, particularly active women.
Silicone implants have few drawbacks, but two are worth noting. First, they are more expensive than saline implants. Second, tears in a silicone implant can easily go undetected for years. While generally harmless, leaking silicone gel can still lead to breast pain and numbing, as well as cosmetic consequences such as uneven breasts.
Women who want their breasts to look as natural as possible should opt for silicone implants.
You Should Get Gummy Bear Implants If…
Gummy bear implants represent the newest development in silicone technology. They have been becoming increasingly popular for a good reason: they combine the volume of saline implants with the natural look and feel of silicone implants.
Gummy bear implants have earned their moniker because of their firmness—similar to a gummy bear. Even when ruptured, they still retain their shape. Though this can seem like a good thing, undetected ruptures can lead to medical complications in the long run. Make sure to undergo periodical MRIs if you choose gummy bear implants (or any other silicone implant).
All this goodness does not come cheap, however. Gummy bear implants are the most expensive option.
You Should Get Fat-Based Augmentation If…
This new breast augmentation procedure involves removing fat from other parts of your body via liposuction and injecting it into your breasts.
Fat grafting can seem appealing for multiple reasons. For one, you are not relying on artificial implants. This means you are no longer at risk of any rupture, and your breasts will feel soft—just like unaugmented breasts. Not to mention the opportunity of removing unwanted fat elsewhere on your body!
Fat grafting may sound theoretically alluring, but keep in mind that it is a largely untested procedure. Thus far, no large clinical studies have been conducted to test its long-term effectiveness.
Because of the unproven nature of this augmentation method, make sure to discuss it extensively with your cosmetic surgeon before committing to it.
An Implant For Every Woman
The best breast implants for you depend on what you value most. A rule of thumb:
- Go for saline implants if you want to reduce the risk of medical complications
- Go for silicone implants if you value a natural appearance above all
- Go for gummy bear implants if you want the volume of saline with the natural shape and feel of silicone
- Go for fat grafting if you have been considering liposuction in addition to breast augmentation
Make sure you speak with a certified cosmetic surgeon before choosing an implant. Every woman is unique and so is the best plan for augmentation. Call Dr. Ladak at Alberta Plastic Surgery for a knowledgeable and personalized consultation. Call (780) 407-6691, or fill out the online contact form.
FAQs
Are breast implants permanent?
No. Regardless of your implants, they have a limited lifespan. You will need to replace or remove them at some point.
Is breast augmentation safe?
Yes. Breast augmentation is generally safe. But with any surgery, you still run a small risk of infection. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions to recover from your procedure without any complications.
What is the recovery time for breast augmentation?
Most women recover from their surgery in 6 to 8 weeks.
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