Breast augmentation can be performed over-the-muscle or under-the-muscle and with one of several different types of saline implants. Understanding your goals for this procedure and the benefits and drawbacks of each implantation method is important for making informed decisions. While you’ll be working closely with your surgeon to choose an option that works best for you, the following information can give you a better understanding of the available choices.
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants are highly preferred among patients given their ability to mimic both the look and feel of natural breasts. These implants typically last up to ten years and will probably need to be replaced throughout the patient’s lifetime. They are best suited for women who have adequate skin flexibility for supporting the implant sizes that they have chosen and who do not need to have skin enhancers installed to ready the targeted area for the implantation process.
Saline Implants
Saline implants are filled with a non-toxic saline solution. While they can closely mimic the appearance of natural breasts, they do not have the same natural feel that silicone implants provide. These options can also last up to ten years and will likely need to be replaced throughout the patient’s lifetime. One major benefit in choosing saline implants is the fact that these include a convenient expander valve. This can be used to add a new saline solution to the implant to increase the breast size. Thus, they could help women with extremely small breasts who wish to increase their breast size dramatically. Gradual expansion can gently ready the skin and surrounding soft tissues over time.
Tissue Flaps
Tissue flaps are often part of the breast augmentation process when considerable amounts of natural breast tissue have been removed due to partial, full or double mastectomies. These flaps are comprised of muscle or tissue that has been collected from select parts of the patient’s body. When used as part of reconstructive breast procedures, they can help give the augmented breasts a natural shape and appearance. Tissue flaps are not, however, commonly used as part of breast augmentations that are purely cosmetic in nature.
Under-the-Muscle and Over-the-Muscle Implants
Breast implants can be placed directly beneath the breast tissue or the actual chest muscle. Whether or not a patient should choose one of these options over the other is largely determined by the implant materials that are being used, the preferred breast augmentation size and the desired location of the incision.
Over-the-muscle implants are a common option among surgeons when using silicone implants. Submuscular placement of the implant can provide greater aesthetic benefits. However, there are additional risks involved. Talking with Dr. Stephen Salerno about these risks along with your breast augmentation goals will help you determine the best and safest placement option for you. Contact Real Cosmetic Plastic Surgery today to learn more.
