Types of Breast Implants
Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica
There are many important decisions to make when undergoing breast augmentation. One of the most important decisions involves which type of breast implant to use. At your initial consultation, Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim will discuss the pros and cons of each breast implant option and recommend the ideal choice for your unique body type and aesthetic goals.
Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants
There are two types of breast implants available:
- Saline breast implants
- Silicone breast implants
Saline breast implants are filled with a sterile saline (salt) solution. The amount of fluid in these implants can be adjusted to your liking for just the right shape, firmness, and feel. The outer shell is created from silicone-rubber.
Silicone breast implants use a silicone-rubber shell and are filled with a silicone gel that mimics the texture of natural breast tissue. Silicone is considered the more natural-looking alternative and this type of implant is less likely to reveal rippling.
Both types of breast implants will eventually break down and rupture, click here to learn more.
Personally, Dr. Kim prefers to use silicone breast implants because of their overall more natural look and feel, but there are advantages to both options depending on your anatomy, goals, and other breast augmentation options. It is very helpful to review before and after photos of past patients and to feel the actual implants during your initial breast augmentation consultation.
For more information, please read our Silicone vs. Saline Breast Implants page.
Breast Implant Sizes
Breast implants range widely in size from relatively small to quite large. The size of implant that is right for you depends on the results you desire, the current size of your breasts, the placement of the implant, and the size and shape of your chest. When choosing your implant size, you must balance factors such as natural looking results vs. over-enhanced results, how active your lifestyle is, and the amount of scarring you are willing to tolerate.
During your free breast augmentation consultation, we will talk about these factors and help you decide on the best breast implant size for you.
Breast Implant Shapes and Textures
Breast implants come in two main shape categories: round and teardrop. Round breast implants are circular, and are the most common shape used. Teardrop breast implants are designed to imitate the natural shape of the breast. They are most commonly used in breast reconstruction, but are an available option and may be good for women with little natural breast tissue.
Round implants also come in a variety of profiles. The higher the profile, the more projection from the chest for the same amount of volume. High-profile implants allow women with narrower chests to get more dramatic results from their breast augmentation.
Breast implants can also be smooth or textured. Texturing was originally designed to reduce rotation of the implant and the risk of a breast augmentation complication known as capsular contracture. Evidence has not shown that texturing reduces the risk of this complication, so most round implants used are smooth. However, teardrop implants are textured to prevent them from rotating
Please contact us today to schedule your initial breast augmentation consultation. Dr. Eugene Kim serves patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, California, as well as out of state and international patients.
