Did you know that according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast augmentation is the top cosmetic surgery performed today? This fact echoes what I see in my own practice. Whether it’s enhancing a woman’s breast size from an A cup to a C, or a B cup to a D, breast implant surgery is the most common plastic surgery procedure that I perform. Breast augmentation is a major step for most women, boosting self-esteem, body image and sexual satisfaction, and I am pleased that I can help achieve these positive outcomes for my patients. For more information on breast augmentation, download our free fact sheet!

Why do women choose to have breast implants? It’s not always for bigger breasts.

There are many reasons women come to me wanting breast augmentation. Some have breasts that never developed, a condition called micromastia. Others have asymmetrical breasts that don't match in some way, either in size or shape. One breast might be a D cup, while the other is a B. Or there might be a half-cup difference between the two breasts, which might not sound like much but can be very noticeable.

In both of these cases, these women want their breasts to look more “normal” and to look better in clothes and bathing suits.

Another reason women come to me wanting breast implants is to reverse the effects of aging and breastfeeding. “After four kids in seven years, my breasts now look like deflated sacks,” one woman said to me. “I want to be proud of my breasts again. I want them to look like they used to.”

Many of my patients echo this woman’s feelings. They are in good shape and feel good about themselves but want their breasts to be the size, shape and firmness they were when they were younger and/or before children.

Three types of breast implants

There are three types of breast implants available in the United States today: 

• Silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel
• Saline breast implants are filled with saline (sterile saltwater)
• New structured, saline-filled implant (Ideal Implant) that combines the natural look and feel of silicone gel with the safety and peace of mind of saline (not eligible for my special pricing)

Most women (and most plastic surgeons, myself included) prefer the look and feel of structured or silicone implants, both of which are generally considered to be more like real breast tissue. Saline implants are more prone to cause rippling of the skin.

For my patients, I always take into consideration:

• your body type
• your age
• the current size of your breasts
• the breast size you would like to be

Which type of implant is best: silicone, saline or structured implant?

In my opinion, the answer is unique to each patient. It highly depends on how a woman feels about a host of issues, such as look, feel, cost, monitoring for silicone gel implant rupture, size of incisions, the potential need to replace the implants, pre-operative breast size and the desired post-operative size and shape.

Your plastic surgeon may have a preference for one type of breast implant over another. For my patients, before deciding on which type, I always take into consideration:

•          a woman’s body type
•          her age
•          the current size of her breasts

Silicone implants

Most women and plastic surgeons prefer the look and feel of silicone breast implants, which are generally considered to be more like real breast tissue. Silicone implants are pre-filled and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Generally, I prefer the feel of silicone over saline. However, silicone implants are more expensive, require a slightly longer incision, and are a little more difficult to know if they have ruptured. Although they were taken off the market by the FDA for several years due to safety concerns, all of the valid scientific studies have shown this type of implant to be safe. Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women aged 22 and older.

Saline implants

Saline breast implants are silicone shells filled with sterile salt water (saline). Since they are filled after they are implanted in the breast, they require a slightly smaller incision than silicone ones. Saline breast implants provide a uniform shape, firmness and feel, are less expensive than silicone implants and are FDA-approved for augmentation in women age 18 and older.

Structured implants

The structured, saline-filled implant (IDEAL IMPLANT) combines the natural feel of silicone with the safety and peace of mind of saline. Created by a plastic surgeon, structured implants give you a realistic, natural look and feel without the drawbacks that concern women most—unnatural feel and silent rupture.

Are breast implants safe?

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. 

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.

If you are interested in breast augmentation

If you are thinking about having breast implant surgery and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact me. I will send you additional information prior to your appointment. 

More information on breast surgery
You might also find these pages helpful on my website: 

• 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.