While the silicone gel implant has a certain appeal, many women are uncomfortable with the idea they could have a silent rupture, undetectable except with an MRI scan, and prefer to have saline instead of silicone gel in their body. Women have expressed their desire for an improved saline-filled breast implant, one that gives a natural appearance and tissue-like feel similar to the silicone gel implant, but not the wrinkling, bouncing and globular look of the current saline implant.
Years of research, testing and input from women and plastic surgeons led to the design of the investigational IDEAL IMPLANT® Saline-filled Breast Implant. On the outside, it looks like a standard saline implant, except that the edges have been lowered so it may contour better to the chest wall. On the inside, it simply contains a series of additional implant shells that are nested together. This internal structure was designed for control of saline movement to reduce bouncing, and for support of the implant edges to minimize wrinkling and prevent collapse of the upper portion of the implant. Because the IDEAL IMPLANT was designed to combine the best features of both, the natural result of silicone gel and the safety of saline, some women and plastic surgeons call it the “Hybrid™” breast implant.
The Clinical Trial
The IDEAL IMPLANT is now being studied in an FDA-approved nationwide clinical trial that ended patient enrollment in January 2010. About two years of clinical results will be collected and submitted to FDA for approval before the IDEAL IMPLANT will be available to all women. In the meantime, make a consultation appointment with one of the plastic surgeon clinical trial investigators to learn about breast augmentation and the IDEAL IMPLANT. This select group was chosen based on their surgical excellence, experience and credentials.
Click here for a list of plastic surgeons selected as investigators. |
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