Types of Breast Implants

All breast implant shells are made out of silicone, a highly stable polymer approved by the FDA for cosmetic implants. At Southeastern Plastic Surgery, you can choose to have your breast implant filled with silicone gel or saline (salt water solution).

The type of implant you choose will directly impact the appearance and feel of your breast augmentation. Our board-certified cosmetic surgeons will help you choose the type of implant that will most ideally fit your desired results.

Silicone Filled Implants

Silicone implants look and feel nearly identical to natural breast tissue. Silicone implants can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they are less likely to ripple, making them an ideal choice for thinner or very small busted patients who do not have enough tissue to hide creases.

Silicone implants are more expensive than saline implants. Because they come pre-filled from the manufacturer, they require a longer incision than saline implants to insert. Silicone implants are also only FDA-approved for women age 22 or older. Another problem with silicone implants is that when they rupture the breast does not deflate, making ruptures harder to detect. As a result, the FDA recommends MRIs to check for rupture 3 years after implantation and every 2 years after that.

Saline Filled Implants

Saline filled implants can be either round or anatomically shaped. Most often these implants are filled after placement, allowing our breast surgeons to give you the exact size you desire and giving flexibility that can be useful when correcting asymmetry. Ruptures with saline implants can generally be identified visually as the saline is safely absorbed by your body and the breast diminishes in size. Saline implants also reduce your risk for complications like capsular contracture.

The drawbacks to saline implants are primarily aesthetic. Saline implants do not look or feel as natural as silicone implants. Saline implants are also more likely to ripple and wrinkle, making them a poor choice for women who do not have sufficient breast tissue to hide creases.

When you come to Southeastern Plastic Surgery for a free breast augmentation consultation, our doctors will listen carefully to your desires before recommending the type of implant best suited to meet your needs. We see each patient as a unique individual, and will customize your breast augmentation procedure to meet your exact demands.

If you live in or around Charlotte, North Carolina and are interested in learning more about breast augmentation surgery, please contact the breast surgeons at Southeastern Plastic Surgery to schedule a free consultation today.