26
Apr
Breast Implant Options
Breast augmentation is one of the most sought-after plastic surgery procedures, as many women seek to have larger, fuller breasts. But how do you decide between saline and silicone, different implant sizes, or the different ways to have the implants inserted? Here’s some information to help with your decisions.
What Are Breast Implants?
Breast implants are prosthetic gel-like inserts that are placed behind the breast to enhance their size and shape. Implants can be used to restore the natural shape of the breasts after nursing, mastectomy, or massive weight loss. They are most commonly used to enlarge and enhance the breasts during breast augmentation surgery.
Silicone Implants vs Saline Implants
During your consultation with Dr. Derek Steinbacher, he will discuss your breast implant options. There are two options available: saline and silicone implants.
What Are Silicone Breast Implants?
Silicone breast implants are available to women aged 22 or older. A wide variety of silicone implants for different body shapes, sizes, and types are available. These implants consist of a gel that feels like natural breast tissue. If the implant ruptures, the gel may remain in the implant shell, or it may leak into the breast implant pocket. A silicone gel implant will not collapse, even when it leaks.
If you have silicone implants, you will need to visit your surgeon on a regular basis to ensure that the implants are maintaining their structural integrity.
What Are Saline Breast Implants?
Saline implants are available to women aged 18 and above. These breast implants are filled with sterile saltwater rather than a silicone gel. They are inserted into the breast implant pocket before they are filled, allowing smaller incisions and custom sizing.
In the case of an implant shell leak, the implant will collapse and the sterile salt water will be absorbed and processed by the body, much like a sports drink.
What Is The IDEAL IMPLANT®?
Dr. Derek Steinbacher offers the new IDEAL IMPLANT® to his Guilford, CT patients. This implant, while only filled with saline, offers additional structure and shape due to its interior support system. To learn more about this implant option, click here.
How To Choose The Right Breast Implant Size
At Dr. Derek Steinbacher’s center, breast augmentation patients plan their surgery with the aid of the Vectra® 3D imaging system. This imaging system provides a helpful preview of how your body might look with different implant sizes. This process makes patients feel more confident in making decisions about size and tremendously simplifies this important decision.
Breast Implant Placement Options
Your breast implant placement will be decided during your pre-operative consultations. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your implant placement. Your decision will be based upon several factors, which you will discuss with Dr. Steinbacher at your consultation. For breast implant placement, you have two options: subglandular placement and submuscular placement.
Subglandular Implant Placement
The breast implant is placed behind breast tissue and in front of your pectoral muscle. Subglandular placement is sometimes recommended for women who have significant sagging, but wish to avoid a breast lift.
Submuscular Implant Placement
Plastic surgeons prefer this method over the subglandular method. This is because the chance for noticeable wrinkling or rippling is lower with this procedure. This placement, overall, is more natural looking than the subglandular method. Moreover, the risk of capsular contracture is less with submuscular placement.
What To Consider When Choosing Breast Implants
Aside from size and material, you also have to consider the shape and texture of the implant. Round implants are the most popular, as they make your upper breasts appear fuller. Teardrop implants are more firm than round implants. If a teardrop-shaped implant shifts from its position, the breast can appear unnatural.
We also have to consider the breast profile. This refers to the diameter and projection of the implants. There are low-, medium-, and high-profile implants. We will measure your body frame and breasts prior to choosing the implant to determine the best size for you.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have questions about your breast implants, or are considering implants for your breast augmentation, contact us today! Call us at (203) 453-6635 to schedule your Guilford, CT breast implant consultation with Dr. Derek Steinbacher.
Dr. Derek Steinbacher has devoted his life to
aesthetic and life-changing surgery. He is an artistic and meticulous surgeon who draws patients
from around the world due to his perspective, unmatched skill, and exceptional results. He is able
to uniquely address the face (facelift +
rejuvenation), jawline (orthognathic; chin; contouring; implants), nasal (rhinoplasty), eyelids, profile, neck, breast, and body with
one-of-a-kind results.
He is a multiple Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Plastic, Cosmetic, and Cranio-Maxillofacial
Surgery. He is Fellow of the most prestigious surgical organizations, including the Society of
Plastic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the
Academy of Facial
Plastic Surgery, Societies of Craniofacial and Maxillofacial Surgery, the Aesthetic
Society, and the Rhinoplasty Society. He has served as Full-Professor
of Plastic Surgery at Yale, including Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Program, and Chief of
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Steinbacher has unparalleled training at premier institutions,
including Harvard
and Johns Hopkins. His
perspective brings together the best aspects of many distinct – but related fields – and it is this
intersection of scope and expertise, in addition to an artistic eye, which enables excellent
comprehensive results.
Dr. Steinbacher's approach: technical acumen, meticulousness, and penchant for combining art and
science, together with his eye for balance, beauty, and harmony, helps achieve outcomes that greatly
improve a person's confidence, health, and overall quality of life. Patients can trust that they are
always in good hands!