THE IDEAL BREAST IMPLANT
The most recent development in breast implants is the revolutionary Ideal Implant, a structured saline implant that combines the softer, natural quality of a silicone implant with the safety and comfort of saline. Until recently, you had to choose between the natural feel and bounce of a silicone implant and the safety of a saline implant. With the Ideal Implant’s unique design, however, you can get the best of both worlds – incredible breasts and total peace of mind. That’s just what one can come to expect with our breast augmentation in Bethesda, peace of mind.
A big concern with silicone implants is the fear of what’s called a “silent rupture,” where the shell of the implant is damaged, allowing the silicone gel to be released into the tissue.
These ruptures are extremely rare, but when they occur, it can lead to symptoms that are difficult to diagnose, a worry for many women. Saline implants, on the other hand, are heavier, and lack the softness and bounce of silicone implants – but are safe if they rupture, as your body does not react to saline solution. The Ideal Implant is an alternative that provides the feel of silicone with the safety of saline. These implants were developed by a plastic surgeon who recognized that many women would prefer saline if the implants could more thoroughly mimic natural breast tissue.
SILICONE VS. SALINE BREAST IMPLANTS
In November 2006, the FDA approved silicone implants for breast augmentation in patients over 22 years of age. Before that time, silicone implants were only available to patients getting breast reconstruction, participating in clinical trials, or in other special circumstances.
A big concern with silicone implants is the fear of what’s called a “silent rupture,” where the shell of the implant is damaged, allowing the silicone gel to be released into the tissue.
The decision of whether to use silicone or saline implants is a personal one, although there may be situations in which one may be a better choice than the other. Typically, if a patient has a small amount of breast tissue, silicone implants will feel more natural and have less visible rippling. If there is already a moderate amount of breast tissue present, then the breasts can be enhanced with either silicone or saline implants. Additional information regarding silicone implants will be provided at the time of consultation.
BREAST IMPLANT INCISIONS
There are three incisions through which your breast implants can be placed. These are:
- Inframammary – In the fold beneath the breast.
- Transaxillary – Through the armpit..
- Periareolar – Around the edge of the areola.
The decision of which approach to use depends upon the preference of the patient and our surgeon, as well as the size and type of implant.
INFRAMAMMARY
The inframammary incision is placed at or just above the fold beneath the breast. The advantage of this approach is that the pocket where the implant will sit can be developed without cutting through any breast tissue.
TRANSAXILLARY
The transaxillary approach hides the incision in a natural crease in the armpit. Endoscopic techniques are utilized to create the pocket in which to place the implants. Only saline implants can be placed via the transaxillary approach, as the incisions are too small for silicone implants. The advantage of this incision placement is that there is no scarring on the breast itself.
PERIAREOLAR
This incision is placed around the edge of the nipple at the junction of the pigmented skin of the areola and the lighter skin of the breast. From this approach, dissection can easily proceed either directly through the breast tissue with minimal interruption of the ducts, or parallel to the skin down to the inframammary fold and under the breast tissue.
Any size saline implants can be placed via periareolar incision, as they come deflated and are filled with sterile saline solution once they are in position. However, there may be an upper limit on how large a silicone implant may be used with this incision placement, depending on the size of the areola. The periareolar incision is sometimes also the best surgical approach to treat problems such as a tubular breast or constricted inferior pole breast deformity.
BREAST IMPLANT POCKET LOCATION
Two alternatives are available for the location of the implant pocket:
- Subglandular (on top of the muscle); and
- Subpectoral (under the pectoralis major muscle). An implant in the subglandular position has the potential to leave visible rippling as well as distortion of the natural slope of the breast. Our preference is to place implants in the subpectoral position, where the pressure of the muscle helps to smooth out the implant and minimize rippling. The muscle also drapes over the superior portion of the implant, creating a natural slope in profile. Patients who have had implants placed in the subglandular position can have them replaced in the subpectoral position if they are dissatisfied with the visibility of the implants.
Any size saline implants can be placed via periareolar incision while receiving your breast implants in Washington, D.C., as they come deflated and are filled with sterile saline solution once they are in position. However, there may be an upper limit on how large a silicone implant may be used with this incision placement, depending on the size of the areola. The periareolar incision is sometimes also the best surgical approach to treat problems such as a tubular breast or constricted inferior pole breast deformity.
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