Breast Augmentation 101: Breast Implant Types
Perhaps you’ve been considering a breast augmentation for some time, or maybe you’re just looking into your options.Either way, you will need to decide what type of breast implant is right for you. Let’s discuss your options.
Saline
Saline implants are filled with a sterile salt-water solution and are known for their firmness. They are ideal for women who prefer to use a natural substance. That way, if one of the implant shells leaks or collapses, your body will naturally absorb and eliminate the saline solution. Unfortunately, this also means the day they wear out, it is quite obvious because there is a visible change in size. Also keep in mind that saline implants tend to have more visible wrinkling than silicone gel filled implants. Saline implants are FDA approved for women age 18 and above.
Silicone
As the name suggests, the shells are filled with silicone gel. These breast implant types are softer than saline and are available in a variety of sizes similar to saline implants. If you choose silicone, you will need to get periodic screenings of the implants to check their condition. Unlike saline implants, the silicone filling is not absorbed by the body, so little change to the breast size will be seen if the shell leaks. The silicone implants will maintain their volume instead of collapsing after they wear out. Silicone implants are FDA approved for women age 22 and above.
Gummy Bear
The name may make you laugh, but these implants offer women an exciting new option for breast augmentation! They are also filled with silicone gel, but the gel is cross-linked to form a more stable shape. This allows for more dimensional adjustment and may appear more natural than traditional silicone implants. These implants are also the least likely to have visible wrinkling. Gummy bear implants maintain their shape even if the implant shell breaks. They were recently approved by the FDA for women age 22 and above, and we’re excited to offer them to our patients!
All breast implant types have advantages and disadvantages. During your free consultation with Dr. Franckle, you can determine which option is the right one for you. You’ll be showing off your new body in no time!
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our four-part Breast Augmentation blog series, coming soon!
