For many years, if you wanted larger, fuller breasts, you had two options: implants filled with silicone or implants filled with saline. Today, you have a third choice: the structured Ideal implant, which combines the natural look and feel of silicone gel with the safety and peace of mind of saline. Now you don’t have to choose between a beautiful, natural look and the confidence of knowing your implants will stay intact.
Now there are three types of breast implants
In the U.S. today, there are three types of breast implants available:
- Silicone breast implants filled with silicone gel
- Saline breast implants filled with saline (sterile saltwater)
- The structured Ideal implant filled with saline that offers the natural look and feel of silicone gel (not eligible for my special pricing)
1. Silicone gel implants
Most women (and most plastic surgeons, myself included) prefer the look and feel of silicone implants because they look and feel more like real breast tissue. When they remain intact, silicone gel breast implants are safe. But when they rupture, the implants and gel need to be removed. These ruptures are silent (women typically don’t know they have happened) and can only be detected by an MRI. This means that women with silicone gel implants should have an MRI scan every 2 years to make sure the implants have not ruptured.
2. Saline implants
Saline (salt water) is a safe, natural solution easily absorbed by the body in case an implant ruptures. However, saline implants can cause wrinkling and rippling of the skin, and within the body they move like water balloons.
3. Ideal implant: the feel of a real breast with the benefits of saline
In addition to silicone and saline implants, there is a third option: the Ideal implant, a structured saline implant which offers the feel of real breast tissue (like silicone) with the peace of mind of a saline implant (fewer problems). What makes the Ideal breast implant different is that its saline filling is pocketed in several spots within the implant, eliminating the rippling of the skin caused by traditional saline implants. Plus, the multiple structured layers of the Ideal implant make it feel more like a silicone gel implant, more like a real breast.
To learn more, watch this short video
For more details on the benefits of the Ideal breast implant, watch my short 2-minute video by clicking on the image below.
Are breast implants safe? My answer is yes.
Silicone: In 1992, the FDA restricted the use of silicone breast implants and allowed only women having breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery to get them. For the next 14 years, women who wanted breast augmentation could only receive saline breast implants. In 2006, after reviewing research and finding no connection between silicone implants and disease, the FDA once again approved the sale of silicone breast implants.
Saline: If the implant shell leaks, a saline implant will simply collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body.
Structured: Approved by the FDA and Health Canada in 2014, the structured, saline-filled IDEAL Implant has undergone 10 years of development, testing and refinement, including the clinical expertise of numerous plastic surgeons.
If you have breast implants, please come see me to get them checked
If you have any type of breast implants — saline, silicone, structured or textured — it’s important to get them checked for ruptures, slippage, leakage, swelling or any other potential problems. For all of my patients with implants, I strongly recommend getting them checked once a year. If you have textured implants which are part of the Allergan recall, you should get them checked right away.
For more information about breast implants, read these 3 blogs
So that you can be fully informed about this important decision, I’ve written several blogs explaining the many aspects of breast implant surgery:
- Silicone, Saline or Structured: How to Choose The Breast Implant That’s Right For You
- Considering Breast Augmentation? 8 Questions To Ask Your Plastic Surgeon
- How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?
Seeing is believing
To see unretouched “before and after” photos of actual patients of mine who have had successful breast augmentation, please visit the Breast Augmentation page in the Photo Gallery section of my website.
Considering breast implants?
If you are thinking about having breast implant surgery and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact me and I will send you additional information prior to your appointment. During our consultation, I will assess the current appearance of your breasts, your reasons for wanting surgery, and your expectations. Then together, we will decide which breast procedure will bring you the results you’re looking for. I specialize in the most advanced techniques of breast augmentation surgery and am ready to help you achieve your goals.
Learn more about the many breast procedures I offer
You can find detailed information on my website about the many breast procedures available to you:
- Breast Procedures
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast Lift
- Breast Reconstruction
- Breast Reduction
- Breast Revision
Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Samuel J. Beran, MD is a highly accomplished plastic surgeon with offices in Manhattan, Harrison and Mount Kisco, NY. With more than 20 years’ experience and a thorough command of the most advanced techniques and technologies, Dr. Beran consistently provides his patients with the highest level of plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, face, skin and body. Recently, Dr. Beran was named a “Top Doctor” by RealSelf for his dedication to responding to consumer questions and patient feedback. The “Top Doctor” designation is awarded to less than 10% of the RealSelf physician community.
