We have Articles, Videos & Advice
Breast Reconstruction Articles
06.30.08
Remember that everyone’s body is different, so be sure to take your unique figure into consideration. It’s time to dig deep and discover all there is to know about implants so that you make your decision with a clear mind. To help make the learning process smoother, 1800mySurgeon has put together a description of implant types, sizes, shapes, qualities and other details.
Framework
Breast implants consist of a shell, filler and fill valve. The shell, also known as the “envelope”, is the outside layer, which could be smooth or textured. The filler is the substance in the shell, such as saline, silicone and cohesive gel. The fill valve is where the filler is inserted from.
Types
There are three types of implants – saline, silicone and cohesive gel.
All You Need To Know About Breast Implants
Educate yourself on different implants, placement options and the way different implants work. Learning about implants beforehand can give you a heads up on what to expect after the surgery.Remember that everyone’s body is different, so be sure to take your unique figure into consideration. It’s time to dig deep and discover all there is to know about implants so that you make your decision with a clear mind. To help make the learning process smoother, 1800mySurgeon has put together a description of implant types, sizes, shapes, qualities and other details.
Framework
Breast implants consist of a shell, filler and fill valve. The shell, also known as the “envelope”, is the outside layer, which could be smooth or textured. The filler is the substance in the shell, such as saline, silicone and cohesive gel. The fill valve is where the filler is inserted from.
Types
There are three types of implants – saline, silicone and cohesive gel.
- Saline: This type of implant is known to be the safest and is the most commonly used implant in the U.S. It is made of a sterile, saltwater solution. It is prone to wrinkling and rippling, but is comparable to body fluid so there’s a low risk of infection in case they leak.
- Silicone: This type of implant is known to be more “natural looking”.
- Cohesive or Gel-Filled: These implants are made of semi-solid silicone and are also known as “gummy bear implants”. These implants keep good form and prevent leakage.
Shape and quality
Choosing the type of implant is as important as choosing the shape.
- Round implants look like a flattened sphere and offer fullness. Round implants come smooth or textured on the outside, whereas anatomical implants are usually textured. Textured implants were created to prevent capsular contracture and tend to be firmer. They run a higher risk of rippling but a lower risk of displacement. Smooth implants run a lower risk of rippling and last long because of their thinner shell.
- Anatomical implants, also known as tear drop implants, were created for breast reconstruction surgery. They are heavier at the bottom, so that the breasts appear more natural. Because of their shape, anatomical implants need to be positioned carefully during surgery, so that there’s no risk of shifting or flipping. To help avoid this risk, they are usually textured.
Size
Choosing the size of your implants can be difficult. Choosing a size such as C-cup or D-cup could end up looking different since each manufacturer sizes implants differently. A surgeon translates bra size and measures patients’ implants by volume in cubic centimeters (cc).
Placement
There are 3 methods of implant placement.
There are 3 methods of implant placement.
- Subglandular or over the muscle: The implant is placed underneath the breast tissue. With this type of placement, there is less pain during recovery and a cleavage is created more easily. On the other hand, ripples could easily been seen and felt, the implant could interference with breast cancer detection and the breasts could have a fake look.
- Submuscular or under the muscle: The implant is placed behind the pectoral muscle. Rippling is less likely to show and mammograms are easier to read. The downsides are discomfort during recovery and difficulty in creating cleavage.
- Partial submuscular or partially under the muscle: A part of the implant is placed behind the pectoral muscle and the remainder is placed behind breast tissue. This decreases the risk of ripples and capsular contracture, which creates a more natural look. It may take a while before the implants settle enough to look natural and there may be discomfort during recovery, as well as ripples and bottoming-out of the implants.
Incision Sites
There are 4 methods of incision.
There are 4 methods of incision.
- Periareolar or nipple incision: This type of incision where the outer edge of the areola is opened is most commonly used with breast augmentation.
- Inframammary or crease incision: This incision is made in the crease right underneath the breast.
- Transaxillary or armpit incision: The incision is made away from the breast area and in the folds of the skin in the armpit.
- Transumbillical (TUBA) or navel incision: This new type of incision involves an incision made in the rim of the navel. A small camera, called endoscope, guides the implants to the right location.
Before committing to any type of implant, quality, placement, etc, it is best to consult with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon. A qualified plastic surgeon can advise you of what’s best for your unique body type. Whichever type of implant you decide to go with at the end, it is important to know that you have considered each option and made an informed decision on changing your appearance.
