Breast augmentation or mammoplasty surgery is the surgical procedure that aims at increasing the size and shape or fullness of the breast. Depending on the implant type and the type of operation chosen, the surgeon may insert a breast implant under the chest muscles or breast tissue. An implant can usually work with appropriate care and caution for about 7 to 12 years and requires frequent inspections to maintain its operation.
There are different kinds of breast implants found which are preferred by the surgeons. Let us have a look at the various options available.
Saline breast implants: These breast implants are filled with sterile saltwater. If the implant starts leaking, a saline implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the human body. These kinds of implants give a uniform shape and add to the firmness and feel and suitable for ladies of 18 and above age.
Another kind which is the structured implants are filled with sterile saltwater and contains an inner structure that aims to give a more natural feel to the implant.
Silicone breast implants: They are filled with silicone gel and the gel gives a very natural breast tissue like feeling. If these implants leak after being placed in the breast, then the gel will remain as it is in the implant shell or it can escape into the breast implant pocket. A leaking implant having silicone gel will not collapse, unlike the above saline implant. One of the disadvantages of silicone gel is that the woman requires to pay a visit to the surgeon periodically to ensure that the implants are working properly. With the help of MRI or ultrasound screening, the breast implant’s conditions can be assessed. These are usually found to be suitable for women of 22 age and above.
Gummy bear breast implants: Gummy bear breast implants are names given to form-stable implants since they have the ability to keep their shape unchanged even if the implant shell gets broken. Unlike traditional silicone gel implants, the consistency of the silicone gel inside these kinds is thicker and the implants are also more firm than the former ones. These implants have more projections at the bottom and tend to taper upwards at the top portions. If these shaped implants rotate inside, then they will give an unusual look to the breasts and will require another surgery to correct them. The gummy bear implants would require a longer incision in the skin than usual.
Round breast implants: These implants can make the breasts look fuller than the form-stable implants and have a higher profile option which can achieve more projection than usual. Since these implants are uniformly shaped hence there is no problem even if they rotate a bit and goes out of place.
Smooth breast implants: The smooth breast implants give a very soft feeling and they can move with the implant pocket which allows for more natural movements. Smooth implants give a more palpable or visible rippling effect under the skin.
Textured breast implants: These implants develop a scar tissue that sticks to the implant and makes them less prone to move around inside the breast and change their positions subsequently. The risk of developing tight scar tissues diminishes significantly with the use of texture.
There are more kinds of implants available in the market and newer technologies are being introduced by the manufacturers from time to time. No matter what the surgeon and the patient choose it is important to follow the routine check-ups to ensure that they are functioning as desired.