Types of Breast Implants | Complete Guide

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular types of cosmetic surgery. In addition to enhancing the size of your breasts, it can also restore volume after weight loss or pregnancy and provide symmetry. However, you must choose the right type of implant for your body before proceeding with surgery. Talking through your options with skilled professionals is necessary, but this guide will discuss your choices and which choice might suit you.

The Importance of Choosing The Right Breast Implant

The size, shape, and texture of the implant are essential. You may feel disappointed with the result if an implant is too small. If the implant is too large, it could make you feel uncomfortable. Your weight, height and body composition should always be considered when deciding which implant to use. At Sheikh Ahmad clinics, we aim to give you the most natural-looking results that boost your self-confidence and allow you to feel comfortable in your body.

Factors to Consider in Breast Implant Selection

Your body size, shape and weight will be the main deciding factors in selecting the right implant. Your surgeon will also consider your chest wall size, skin and soft tissue characteristics, and breast size and shape. Discussing your options with your surgeon is essential so you understand what will give you the best results. If you’re unhappy with the suggestions, you can discuss alternatives until you decide. Some of the options available to patients are explained below.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline breast implants are one of the top choices for patients. So, what are saline breast implants, and are they right for you?

Traditional Saline Breast Implants

Traditional saline breast implants have a silicone outer shell filled with a sterile saltwater solution. Some saline implants are pre-filled, while others are filled during surgery. These implants can come with a smooth exterior or a textured exterior. 

Benefits and Drawbacks of Saline Implants

One of the significant benefits of saline implants is affordability. They are often less expensive than other alternatives. The risk of rupture is limited with saline implants, and if a rupture does occur, the saline solution is safely absorbed by the body.

The drawbacks of saline implants could include wrinkling or rippling, and some people report a sloshing from the movement of the liquid.

Structured Saline Implants And Their Advantages

Structured saline implants contain inner and outer shells that increase the implants’ stability. This means that patients don’t experience the same movement of liquid that occurs in traditional saline implants. Patients can also avoid seeing the wrinkling or rippling under the skin, which provides reassurance that the implant is still intact. Like conventional saline implants, structured saline implants will deflate when ruptured, and the body will absorb the solution.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants are well-known and still a popular choice among patients. Silicone can offer a more natural feel for anyone wanting to change their breast size. Here’s what you need to know.

Traditional Silicone Implants

Silicone implants are filled with gel so they mimic natural breast tissue. However, the liquid could enter the implant pocket if these implants leak. If this happens, the implant will not collapse, so knowing if a silicone implant has ruptured can be challenging. Many patients with silicone implants visit their surgeon regularly for scans, which is the only way to be sure an implant remains intact.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Traditional Silicone Implants

The most significant benefit of traditional silicone implants is the natural feeling. Many people opt for these implants for this reason. However, the drawback is the inconvenience of needing regular checkups and the risk of rupture.

Gummy Bear Breast Implants

Gummy bear implants are becoming ever more popular in the cosmetic beauty industry. Here’s why more people are choosing gummy bear breast implants.

Why Gummy Bear Implants Are Gaining Popularity

The gummy bear implant is another silicone gel implant that is form-stable, which means that the implant holds its shape and feels natural. Gummy bear implants are formed in a teardrop shape that looks more like a natural breast than other implants. This all-around natural-looking implant offers patients an authentic-looking breast which is why they are rapidly gaining in popularity.

Advantages of Gummy Bear Implants

Gummy bear implants are ideal for patients with little breast tissue and can also be the perfect choice for women who want breast reconstruction. The unique shape that the gummy bear implants offer can provide a sense of self-confidence in knowing that the implant shape looks natural to others. The patient may notice a firmness in the feel of the implant at the bottom of the breast, but this is rarely noticeable.

Breast Implant Shapes and Textures

The shape and texture of the implant you choose are important to think about, and it can mean the difference between you living happily with your new breasts or regretting your decision. Talk to your surgeon about every aspect of the chosen implant before surgery. Here’s what you need to know.

Round Breast Implants

Round breast implants are often best for patients with a good volume of breast tissue, which will help cover the implant well. Round breast implants offer a smooth upper pole and a non-operated look. If you want a well-rounded upper pole, round breast implants can be a good option.

Why Some Patients Choose Round Breast Implants

Round breast implants offer more cleavage to patients than teardrop implants, and they also appear to be bigger than teardrop implants. Many patients choose round breast implants because they give them their desired look, and feel they will be happier with the outcome.

Teardrop or Anatomical Breast Implants

Teardrop implants have become a more popular choice in the last few years. They continue to increase in popularity because of their natural-looking shape. 

The Natural Look of Teardrop Implants

The teardrop shape mimics the breast’s natural shape and therefore offers a more natural overall look than round breast implants. If you want a more subtle result from your breast augmentation surgery, teardrop implants are the best option. They can be smooth and textured, so you should discuss this with your cosmetic surgeon.

Smooth Breast Implants

Smooth breast implants will appear shiny and have a slippery texture. Smooth implants don’t attach to the surrounding tissue, so patients may feel movement when they change positions. 

Benefits of Smooth Implants

Smooth implants are softer than textured implants, giving the patient a more natural feel. They are also known to last longer than some of their textured counterparts. Women with good breast tissue are less likely to see common issues, like rippling, from smooth implants.

Textured Breast Implants

Textured breast implants are more sought after than ever because they provide stability that smooth implants cannot. They are covered by a grained outer shell which attaches to the breast tissue.

The Role of Texture in Implant Stability

The texturing allows the implant to attach to the breast tissue, which results in stability. This means that the implant stays in the same position for a reasonable time. You won’t have to worry about implant repositioning if you opt for textured implants. The implants’ stability also reduces the risk of scar tissue forming around the implant.

Breast Implant Safety Information

You must understand the risks and complications involved in breast augmentation. Your surgeon will discuss these with you during your consultation appointment to ensure you are fully informed before your surgery. 

The Risks of Breast Implants

Like all types of surgery, breast augmentation comes with various risks. These risks can include breast tissue scarring and changes in sensation to the breast and nipple. Some women also report breast pain. These risks should be thoroughly discussed with your surgeon. Some other common complications and concerns include:

• Additional surgeries involve the removal of implants.
• Rupture and deflation.
• Breast implant-associated-anaplastic large cell lymphoma, also known as cancer of the immune system.
• Connective tissue disease.
• Breastfeeding

Implant Rupture and Its Consequences

Implant ruptures can happen, and they can cause deflation and a change in breast shape, leading to breast pain and disappointment in how the breast looks. 

Ruptured Saline Implant vs Ruptured Silicone Implant

When saline implants rupture, the body releases and absorbs the liquid over time, and this generally causes few to no complications for the patient. The rupture is more evident when saline implants leak than in silicone implants. When silicone implants rupture, it can cause additional complications. Even though complications are rare, it’s essential to be checked over by a professional. Additionally, silicone implant ruptures are much harder to detect, so it’s a good idea to receive ultrasounds to ensure the implants are still intact periodically. Mr Ahmad offers extended warranty packages.

Monitoring Breast Implant Safety

When you have breast augmentation, you’ll need to monitor the state of your breasts continually. Because there are risks associated with breast augmentation, the FDA recommends that patients get regular checkups with their surgeon. Even if you have no concerns about your breasts, scheduling appointments is still important. Most breast augmentation patients will experience no serious complications, and the FDA continues to research patient experience to provide better data and advice for everyone.

Choosing The Best Breast Implant For Your Augmentation

Choosing the right breast implant for your augmentation will depend on your current breast size, weight, and more. However, it also comes down to your desired finish. 

Silicone is often the best choice if you want a smooth and natural feel to your implant. However, opt for saline if you’re more concerned about shape and texture. Think about what you want from your breast augmentation now and what you envision for yourself in the future too. 

Achieving a Seamless Augmentation Result

You’ve already completed your first step- research. Finding out as much about breast augmentation as possible is a significant first step towards getting the best results. Finding a plastic surgeon with a wealth of experience and unmatchable skills is also essential. You need to know you’re putting your body in the right hands.

When you’ve booked your consultation, be prepared to listen well and ask as many questions as possible. The more information you go away with, the more likely you’ll be able to make a wise and informed decision. Lastly, when you get your breast augmentation, you must follow the advice for your recovery. If you can recover well, you’re more likely to avoid complications.

Personalised Breast Implant Consultation

Are you ready to discuss your breast augmentation? At Sheikh Ahmad clinics, we welcome any questions about the correct type of breast implant for you. Mr. Ahmad will work with you to find the perfect fit so you can leave your consultation feeling fully informed and happy with your decision.

If you’d like to make an appointment for a consultation today, you can contact us at any of our various clinics. Alternatively, fill out our contact form, and we’ll get back to you soon.