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Breast Augmentation, Breast

What Are the Safest Types of Breast Implants?

Breast augmentation may be an excellent option if you are hoping to enhance your breast size or shape. However, you may have heard some scary stories about implants bursting or causing lymphoma, which naturally makes you think twice about getting breast implants.

We field questions all the time about the safety of breast implants and which types of implants are safer than others. We understand your concern, and we'll try to shed some light on the different types of breast implants and which ones are most reliable.

What Types of Breast Implants are the Safest?

Dr. Larry Fan has performed thousands of successful breast augmentation procedures and he understands the concerns women have when making alterations to their bodies. With more and more women opting for breast augmentations, implants have improved significantly over the past several years. Determining which type is best for you depends on the results you desire and your personal preference on feel, costs, and future care.

Breast enhancement is a relatively complex topic, but Dr. Fan is committed to helping patients understand their options before proceeding with surgery. You should always consult with a trusted doctor before making your decision.

Two More Quick Questions

The Safest Types of Breast Implants

All FDA-approved breast implants are safe. The decision on the type of breast implant you choose shouldn't be focused on the assumed 'safest' choice. Instead, you should choose a breast implant based on the best match for your goals and body type.

Dr. Fan has been a Consultant and Scientific Investigator for Allergan and Sientra, two of the three breast implant manufacturing companies making implants used in the US today, and he believes patients should be confident in the safety of the implants they choose. Contrary to urban myths, breast implants are not associated with causing autoimmune conditions, breast cancer, or other illnesses.

Let's take a look at the different implant options.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants are made of a silicone shell, which is placed and then filled with sterile salt water during surgery. This option provides a uniform shape, firmness, and feel that is slightly firmer than silicone implants. Saline implants are available in a round shape.

Saline implants are seldom requested by patients today, but some patients still prefer saline implants for a few reasons:

  • The cost is lower
  • Incisions are smaller
  • Some patients, despite all the evidence proving silicone is safe, remain skeptical

If a saline implant leaks, the implant will collapse, and the saline salt water is safely absorbed by the body. The body will not be harmed, but a woman will look imbalanced. Refilling collapsed implants is not possible. Leaking saline implants should be removed and replaced.

Silicone Breast Implants

Regular silicone breast implants are made of a silicone shell filled with a cohesive silicone gel. These are the softest breast implants available and feel a little bit more like natural breast tissue. Regular silicone gel breast implants are available in a round shape. Regular silicone breast implants are the most popular option chosen for several reasons:

  • Good track record of safety and performance
  • Feel more real and more natural compared to saline implants
  • Less likely to be visible beneath the skin (develop ripples) compared to saline implants

If a silicone gel implant ruptures, the breast may feel different, but the implant will not collapse. It is recommended that a ruptured silicone implant should be removed and replaced, even if there is no evidence that a ruptured silicone implant will make you sick.

Placement of silicone gel breast implants requires a slightly longer incision in the skin compared to saline breast implants.

Are You a Breast Augmentation Candidate?

Gummy Bear Breast Implants

Highly cohesive silicone gel breast implants are also known as "gummy bear" or "form stable" implants.

Gummy bear breast implants use a thicker and firmer silicone gel compared to regular silicone implants. Because the gel is highly cohesive, the implant can take applied pressure and then return to its original form. Gummy bear breast implants are available in both round and teardrop (anatomic) shapes.

More women are choosing gummy bear breast implants for several reasons:

  • May last longer than saline and traditional silicone implants
  • Provide better shape compared to saline and traditional silicone implants
  • May produce a more natural looking result compared to saline and traditional silicone implants in some patients
  • Even less likely to be visible beneath the skin (develop ripples) compared to saline and traditional silicone implants
  • Although firmer than regular silicone gel implants, implant looks and feels natural

If a gummy bear implant breaks, the breast often does not feel different. It is recommended that a ruptured gummy bear implant should be removed and replaced, even if there is no evidence that a ruptured gummy bear implant poses a threat to your health.

These implants cost more and placement requires a slightly longer incision in the skin compared to regular silicone implants.

Alternatives to Breast Implants

There are also several alternatives to the traditional breast implants described above. If you're more concerned about sagging due to the effects of gravity over time or breastfeeding, a breast lift with or without implants may make more sense than breast augmentation alone.

A breast lift involves incisions around the nipples, the bottom half of the breast, and/or the breast crease. Excess skin and glandular tissue is raised or removed in order to lift the breasts. The skin is tightened, and the breast tissue is reshaped. A breast lift may be performed with or without implants, depending on your needs.

For a more natural approach to breast augmentation, you may be a good candidate for a fat transfer procedure. With this option, fat is removed from the hips, abdomen, or thighs and injected into the breasts. This involves the use of liposuction and very small incisions.

Choosing the Best Option for You

There are many safe breast implant options available today. However, excellent results are not automatically achieved. You should choose a skilled plastic surgeon to guide you through the various preoperative decisions that will influence your final result.

Every person is different, and an expert will be able to recommend the best type for your particular needs. You can book a free consultation with Dr. Larry Fan or take advantage of our free virtual consultation to get preliminary recommendations without coming into the office.

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About the Author

Dr. Larry Fan is a Harvard educated, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in San Francisco, CA. He is a Master Artist who is known for creating beautiful, stunning, and natural results. Dr. Fan has been named One of America's Top Plastic Surgeons for the past 10 years running and has received several national awards for his work in Plastic Surgery. He has successfully performed more than 10,000 cosmetic procedures of the face, breasts, and body over a 20 year period. Dr Fan has been an invited speaker at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons, and has been featured in national media outlets such as CNN, NBC, and ABC.

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