Breast Implants
Dr. Kevin Cook understands that every woman has her own reasons and unique cosmetic goals when she decides to undergo breast augmentation. With the numerous advancements in breast implants made over the past years, selecting an implant that can best meet your personal expectations may seem initially overwhelming. To help you make an educated choice about your breast implants, Dr. Cook will review in detail the advantages of each type of implant during your pre-operative consultation at Midland Plasitc Surgery Center. In addition, you will have the opportunity to try on a variety of “sizers” during the consultation process, enabling you to see how differently-sized implants can enhance your figure.
Breast Implants: Saline Vs. Silicone
Saline implants are comprised of a silicone shell and then filled with a sterile saline solution after the implant is inserted into the breast pocket. As a result, the incision required for saline implants is typically smaller than silicone alternatives. Plus, if a saline implant ruptures, the result is immediately detectable and can lead to a more prompt repair.
Silicone implants are made from a cohesive silicone gel that is more form-stable than many saline alternatives. In recent years, silicone implants have become a popular choice among our patients seeking results that look and feel more like natural breasts. In addition, silicone implants can reduce the risk of rippling. If a silicone implant becomes ruptured, the leak will typically be very slow and sometimes unnoticeable. For this reason, the FDA recommends those patients who choose silicone implants have an MRI three years after the initial procedure, and every two years after that, to screen for possible ruptures. If a rupture is detected, breast revision surgery can be used to repair the implant.
Selecting Your Implant Size
Choosing the right implant size, one that not only adds volume but also yields the best results for your overall body proportions, is one of the most important decisions you’ll make before breast augmentation. Our Midland Plastic Surgeon strives to create full, youthful, and natural silhouettes for all his patients while also fulfilling their aesthetic desires. Though many of our patients have the goal of a “c-cup,” breast implants are sized by volume, not cup size. To help you decide which size can best achieve your cosmetic goals, sizers can be tested during the consultation process, giving you a visual of your potential results. Dr. Cook can also offer you his recommendation for an implant size that will compliment your figure and proportions. Silicone implants are selected by a designated size, while saline implants allow Dr. Cook to custom-tailor the volume of your implant at the time of surgery to a size that you have pre-determined.
Ultimately, there are advantages and disadvantages to every type of implant – the best choice all depends on your unique physical anatomy, your goals, and what can provide the most optimal results for your body frame. Dr. Cook will answer all your questions and thoroughly discuss your options at the initial consultation so that you can achieve beautiful, natural-looking breast augmentation.
Contact Us
If you have additional questions about breast implants, or to schedule a consultation for breast augmentation, please contact us today.