When you’re considering a breast augmentation, it’s important to understand your implant options. Here’s what you need to know about saline, silicone, gummy bear, and fat grafting breast augmentation.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution and have a uniform shape and firmness. Many saline breast implants have a structured interior that helps them keep their shape, giving them a more natural appearance. If and when a saline implant ruptures, the loss of volume in the breast is immediate and usually quite noticeable. Because the filler is simply salt water, when a rupture occurs it is simply absorbed by the body and disposed of naturally. They are FDA-approved for use in women 18 and older.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone implants are filled with a soft, silicone gel and are available in a range of shapes, allowing for a more natural look and feel, depending on the patient’s body type. Silicone implants do require regular follow-up visits, and they are FDA-approved for use in women ages 22 and older.

“Gummy Bear” Implants

The 410 cohesive silicone gel implants, commonly referred to as ‘gummy bear implants’ feature a silicone gel that is thicker and firmer than that in traditional silicone implants. This allows them to maintain their shape even if the shell breaks. It has been said that these are most natural feeling implant available at this time. The use of gummy bear implants is relatively new in the U.S., but they have been used internationally since the early 1990s.

Autologous Fat Transfer

A fat transfer procedure involves injecting the breasts with fat cells removed from another area of the body through liposuction (commonly the abdomen, thighs, or hips). Women looking for a relatively small change in breast size (within one cup size) have been seeing great results from this procedure. It is a relatively new procedure, and experts aren’t sure exactly how long the results will last. However, many women prefer this option because it removes a small amount of unwanted fat while enlarging the breasts, uses their own tissue instead of placing a foreign object (implant) into the body, and results in a very natural-feeling result.

To learn more about the types of breast implants and consider which is your best option, consult Dr. Franckle at William Franckle, MD, FACS. With 3D imaging technology available at the practice, you can truly experience a before and after view of the results to assist in your decision.