Which Type of Breast Implant Is Right for Me?

Every year, more than 300,000 breast enhancement surgeries take place, quickly become one of the top plastic surgery procedures in the nation, only exceeded by liposuction. No matter what the reason for having the procedure is, it is important to know the differences among the variety of breast implants available and choose what type of breast implant is right for you.

What is a Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is the surgical procedure used to increase the size, or correct the shape, of the breast. There are numerous decisions that need to be made regarding your augmentation, such as the desired shape and size. It is also important to decide where you would like the impact to be located: under the pectoral muscle or behind the mammary gland. This decision greatly depends on the reason you are having the surgery, as well as your unique body, so it will be discussed with the doctor during your individual consultation.

What Are My Options?

There are a variety of breast implants that are used during augmentations which vary according to material, shape, and texture.

Saline vs. Silicone

The two most common materials for breast implants are saline and silicone. Saline implants are made of sterile saline solution and are inserted empty and then filled, resulting in a smaller incision. If the saline implant should rupture, the saline solution would be absorbed by the body and naturally expelled. It is extremely noticeable if a saline implant ruptures. Silicone implants tend to feel and look more natural than saline implants. However, if the silicone implant should rupture, it is far less noticeable and usually an MRI is the only way to detect this.

Shape & Texture

Breast implants usually come in a few different shapes, such as round and anatomic. Round implants are designed to maintain their shape if they should rotate at all, while anatomic implants are designed to hold a specific shape and avoid rotation.

Implants can also have different textures: smooth and textured. Smooth breast implants are designed to have some movement which makes them appear more natural. Textured implants help reduce movement and rotation.

Ready to learn more about which breast implant is best for you? Talk to Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Bryan Correa. Dr. Correa can help you decide which type of implant is best for your breast augmentation. Please call us at (281) 419-9119 to schedule your consultation.

Correa Plastic Surgery serves the greater Houston metro area.