Showing posts with label saline implants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label saline implants. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Tips for Flat-Chested Women Considering Breast Augmentation



As its name suggests, breast augmentation is performed to augment the bust size of patients, making this particularly appealing to flat-chested women or those with AA and A cup.
Flat-chested women have very little tissue and fat, a feature which must be given importance to achieve natural results and prevent complications particularly wrinkling and rippling.
First and foremost, patients with small breasts should stay away from textured implants that have a rough surface, a feature always found in teardrop-shaped implants to prevent them from rotating and causing visible deformity. 
Some textured implants also come in round shape.  The theory behind this is that the rough outer shell can prevent the tissue from becoming too thick—a condition called capsular contracture—that it results to deformity and pain.  However, no extensive study has proven this claim.
Textured implants, particularly those with large “graininess,” should be avoided by flat-chested women because they face a higher risk of palpable and visible wrinkling.  For this reason, they are generally advised to choose smooth implants, which are also believed to last longer because they are less prone to “folding” that can lead to rupture over time.
Aside from smooth shell, the breast implants for flat-chested patients are ideally filled with silicone gel rather than saline (or a sterile mixture of salt and water) to simulate the feel of natural tissue—something which they definitely lack.
The result between the saline and silicone implants is the same when there is an ample amount of tissue and fats, although this is not the case if the breasts are very small as the saline implants, more often than not, lead to an unusually round appearance.   
A dome-shaped breast is one of the most common telltale signs of plastic surgery, so it is not surprising that most patients do not want this look.
Another technique to avoid the “fake” look is to choose the appropriate implant size.  The general rule is that natural appearance is easily achieved if the breast volume mostly consists of natural tissue rather than implants.
When plastic surgeons refer to large breast implant, it often means a size that is more than 600-700 cubic centimeters.
Meanwhile, the amount of tissue also dictates the most ideal breast augmentation technique.  More often than not, flat-chested women have undefined breast crease, making this incision site more challenging, although not impossible.
Plastic surgeons are extra careful when using the breast crease incision site on small-busted women to avoid a low- or high-riding scar. 

Friday, March 9, 2012

Which Is More Popular, Saline or Silicone Breast Implant?


Breast augmentation is either performed using saline- or silicone-filled breast implants, devices which not only increase the bust size but also regain the lost volume after childbirth.

In terms of popularity, silicone breast implants are almost outpacing the saline version.  This is not surprising because they provide a more natural result since they are filled with a cohesive gel that is designed to replicate the feel of breast tissue and fat.

The growing popularity of silicone breast implant can be attributed to the FDA’s decision to lift the ban in 2006 after several studies have suggested that there is no link between its use and cancer risk and systemic diseases.

Another reason why silicone implants are more popular than saline is that they are very ideal for women with little tissue and fat in their breasts.  And not surprising, a significant number of patients seeking breast augmentation have this anatomical feature.

On the other hand, saline implants can provide a natural appearance only if there is a moderate to significant amount of tissue and breast plastic surgeons can work with.

Meanwhile, a 2009 survey released by the American Society of Plastic surgeons revealed that 50 percent of breast augmentation patients had chosen silicone implants. 

Right after the lifting of the 16-year ban, silicone implant is gaining on saline version every year.  In 2007, 35 percent of breast implants used in surgery were silicone and they jumped by 47 percent a year after.

Difference Between Saline and Silicone Implants:

* Saline implants are filled with a sterile salt and water solution while the silicone version is filled with a cohesive silicone gel.

* Saline implants are prone to sloshing, which in turn results to higher risk of downward displacement than silicone with the same size.  For this reason, some doctors intentionally overfill the saline implants.

* Silicone implants need longer incision than the saline version, unless they come in a very small size.  By contrast, saline implants require a short surgical cut because they are placed empty inside the breast pocket before they are inflated with a sterile saltwater solution.

* Silicone implants can maintain their volume for years (except if there is a leak or implant failure) unlike the saline ones which have a natural deflation rate of 1 percent every year.

* For patients with a little amount of breast tissue, saline implants often result to unflattering, dome-shaped breasts while the silicone implants can provide a more natural result. 

However, saline and silicone implants provide almost the same aesthetic result for women with moderate to significant amount of breast tissue.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

FAQs About Breast Implant Surgery




1.     Question: What kind of implants is used during breast augmentation?


Answer:  Currently, the US Food and Drug Administration only allows silicone- and saline-filled breast implants.  However, there is some speculation that the gummy bear implants (these are filled with a more cohesive type of silicone gel) which are under clinical trial, will be made available to the public in the next few years.



2.     Q:  Which can provide a more natural result?


A: Siliconeimplants are designed to mimic the feel of breast tissue, making them a more popular choice of women these days.


3.     Q:  Any benefits in choosing saline implants over silicone version?


A: Yes.  Patients are not required to undergo MRI screening, a test necessary for those with silicone implants because they are at risk of having silent leak (no visible manifestation that the shell has already ruptured),And in case of rupture, patients with saline implants can immediately see the problem because their breasts will become deflated within hours.



4.     Q:  What is capsular contracture?


A:  This happens when the scar tissue—which naturally forms around any implant—becomes extraordinarily dense that it ends up squeezing the implants.  Fortunately, there are many surgical techniques and post-operative treatments that can minimize the risk of capsular contracture.



5.     Q:  What is the difference between smooth and textured implants?


A:  Smooth implants have a balloon-like surface while textured implants have a rough, somewhat “grainy” exterior.



All teardrop-shaped (or anatomical) implants come in textured surface to prevent it from rotating inside the breast pocket, something which may lead to visible distortion.  On the other hand, round implants often come with smooth exterior because they can rotate without causing any problem.
However, some round implants have rough surface which is said to minimize the risk of capsular contracture.  But this claim has not yet been proven.



6.     Q:  Which can provide more natural breast contour, round or teardrop implants?


A:  Both implants can provide natural appearance as long as with the proper placement.  And contrary to popular belief, round implants do not automatically lead to a dome-shaped, unnatural-looking breast because their shape turn into a teardrop once inside the breast pocket (due to the pull of gravity).

      7.  Q:  How long do breast implants last?

A:  According to a study conducted by the Institute of Medicine, breast implants last an average of 16 years, although their lifespan still depends on many factors such as the patient’s lifestyle, certain features of the body, and type of implant used during the procedure.


Friday, February 3, 2012

What Is the Most Ideal Age to Have Breast Augmentation Surgery?





Breast augmentation is one of the most sought-after cosmetic surgeries not just in the US but also in many countries.  In fact, it has been estimated that 5 to 10 million people have the procedure; they consisted of women who wanted to improve their appearance, post-cancer patients who had mastectomy, and transgender.

To date, many countries including the US require patients to be at least 18 years old before they can undergo breast implant surgery.  But take note that this age requirement generally applies if you will have the procedure solely for cosmetic purpose—e.g., you want to increase your bust size.

By contrast, age requirement is not important if you will have the procedure as a way to treat developmental abnormalities.

You have to remember that patients between 18 and 21 can only have saline implants which are filled with a sterile saltwater solution.  But when you reach the age of 22, you would be allowed to use silicone implants during your breast augmentation surgery.

The main reason why silicone implants require a higher age limit is because of the risk of rupture.  To prevent serious complications, you will be required to undergo MRI screening at least every two years.  By contrast, you will not need this if your implants are filled with saline, which in case of a leak, can be safely absorbed by your body, though your breasts will immediately appear somewhat “flat.”

While 18 years old can already have breast augmentation, many plastic surgeons believe that a woman should wait until she has reached her twenties because there is a likelihood that her breasts will further enlarge.

Imagine that if your breasts become larger after having plastic surgery, you may end up with a bust size bigger than what you really want.  While you can always have revisions to downsize your implants or even remove them without replacement, this means additional expenses and possibly more scarring.

If you decide to have breast augmentation in your teenage years, you will likely need revisions sooner than later.  Take note that breast implants are not designed to last a lifetime and are subjected to the natural wear and tear.

According to a data collected by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 65 percent of breast implant surgeries were performed on patients aged between 20 and 38, a clear indication that most women waited until their body has fully matured before they had the procedure.