Breast Implants: Which Is Best For You?

Breast implants are sacs filled with substances. They are used to make a person’s chest appear generally larger and shapelier. These are placed inside the chest cavity in specific areas which are supposed to be safe and left there for a period of several years. Many surgeons these days require that their patients return to them for a checkup of the sacs to evaluate and assess their safety and their viability to be kept inside the body for a longer period of time.

Types

There are two basic types of breast implants that have been approved for use in the United States of America. These are the silicone and saline filled ones. There are other kinds of fillers available but these may not be approved yet or may be more expensive than the basic ones. The two basic ones also come in different shapes, textures and profiles. Saline is supposed to be more natural, therefore, many prefer this due to the possibility that leaking will not be as dangerous compared to silicone which may cause some conditions. Many States have set an age level for those who wish to use silicone because some maturity is necessary for the maintenance of the implant. At this point, individuals who are still underage are not recommended for the procedure because they still lack physical and mental maturity to handle the changes. Their bodies are also capable of changes which can affect the results of the operation.

Breast implants also come with smooth or textured surfaces. The textured ones are fairly new and were developed to minimize the risk of the surface rippling, although, proof of this have to be studied more. The textured elastomer skins are thicker than the ones with a smoother surface and will have a minimal chance of leaking or rupturing but individuals with thinner skin in the chest may be able to feel the sandpapery surface of the sacs. Smooth breast implants, on the other hand, have a more natural feel to them when touched. The choice of shape is up to the patient, although the surgeon may recommend a shape that is most suitable to her body shape and other factors. There are two basic shapes, contoured and round. The former creates a more natural look while the latter creates a rounded, full look. Despite being more natural looking, contoured ones may appear unnatural when they are moved or flipped due to excessive movement. Round ones will always appear round no matter how they are moved.

Profiles come in low, medium and high. It basically describes the protrusion of the breast implants on the chest. This also depends on the patients’ preferences and the doctors recommendations in consideration of the woman’s body type. The resulting size of the chest can also be decided by deciding on the size of the sacs which will be implanted. Some doctors can show the patient a projected result which is more or less what it will turn out to be. It is best to talk in depth with the surgeon regarding what he recommends and the preferences of the patient.