Breast Implants come in different shapes, sizes and consistency. So which are the best and safest to use?
The type of implant chosen depends on different factors. First is the consistency; saline vs silicone. While silicone implants have become the most popular types used, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Saline implants have the advantage of being filled at the time of surgery, therefore allowing a more accurate correction of subtle breast size asymmetries. They also have a lower incidence of capsule formation or a hardening contracture (although the difference is minimal with today’s newer silicone implants). But on the disadvantage side, they have a higher rate of deflation and may not feel as natural as the silicone implants which are gel-like.
Regarding shape, the most common type used is the round shape as opposed to the anatomic or tear-drop shape which can rotate and lead to a deformed shape.
Both saline and silicone implants come in different projections. The type used is mostly affected by the chest width. In narrow chested patients a high profile implant is used because it allows for a given chosen size to be properly positioned in the chest. Moderate or Moderate plus profiles have a larger diameter which may not fit in the chest properly.
Size can often be a challenge. Patients often bring photos (both nude as well as in bras) to show what they may want to look like. But the photos by themselves do not take into account the patient’s height, weight, chest measurement. It is best to have the plastic surgeon assess the size by considering the aforementioned measurements, the patient’s occupation and apparent size expectation. Photos showing the surgeon’s actual before and after photos go a long way in assisting with the size determination. But it is always important to emphasize that the end product should be a natural result which would be congruous with the patient’s frame and size.
