Breast augmentation with saline or silicone breast implants comes with various options to customize the implant and procedure to each woman’s unique needs and anatomy. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Arnold Breitbart, offers breast enhancement and will explain your implant choices during your consultation at our Long Island or Manhattan offices.
Implant Fill
All breast implants have an outer silicone shell, but the implant’s material or “fill” may be saline (salt water) or silicone. Silicone is a cohesive material that is more viscous than saline, offering a closer imitation of the natural look and feel of breast tissue. Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for women 22 and older. Women with silicone breast implants require imaging tests every few years to diagnose implant ruptures because the thick gel material stays in the breast capsule.
Saline breast implants are filled after being surgically placed in the breasts, and Dr. Breitbart fills the silicone shell to the desired size with the saline solution. Saline has a consistency like water, which doesn’t mimic natural breast tissue and may have visible rippling or wrinkling if the implant is placed over the muscle. However, if a saline breast implant ruptures, it’s immediately evident as the body absorbs the leaking salt water.
Implant Size
For those ready for breast implants the goal of breast augmentation with breast implants is to enhance a woman’s bust while maintaining a natural look. While implant size is up to the patient, chest size and anatomy may limit how big one can go. Dr. Breitbart provides implant sizers during consultations to help women visualize their results with each size increase. Women should aim for a balanced figure with larger breasts, not one overpowered by breasts that may cause painful symptoms if they’re too large for their frame.
Implant Shape
Implants come in round and teardrop shapes, which come with different benefits. Round implants are the more popular option because they provide symmetry, fullness and increased cleavage and come in silicone and saline variations. These implants are less likely to experience malposition or rotation issues than teardrop-shaped implants and may be more affordable.
Teardrop breast implants are tapered to mimic the natural breast shape, and the top is thinner and gradually leads to a fuller, broader base. These implants are only available with a silicone fill and may be best for women looking to increase breast size and address mild breast sagging.
If you’re interested in breast augmentation with breast implants, contact Dr. Breitbart today to schedule a consultation. Call our Manhasset and New York, New York offices at (516) 365-3511 or fill out our online contact form.
