Structured Saline vs. Silicone Implants: Cost Isn’t the Only Concern

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For years, breast augmentation patients have chosen between the natural look and feel of silicone gel implants and the simplicity of saline implants. Many women felt torn having to compromise on either beauty or security. Now, women’s options have evolved. If you’re in the market for breast implants, you have newer technology from which to choose: namely, structured saline implants and cohesive silicone implants. Cost is one factor to think about when making your decision, but there are several other key considerations as well.   

Cohesive Silicone Gel Breast Implants 

Silicone implants have long won the popularity contest among breast augmentation patients because of their natural look and feel. However, there have been questions surrounding the safety of silicone gel and its effects on the body. The gel in today’s silicone implants is more cohesive than in previous years, meaning it’s less likely to end up oozing into your tissues out of a ruptured device. Plastic surgeons often point this out to women who are wary of putting silicone gel into their bodies. However, doctors admit that a rupture still brings the gel into contact with women’s tissues. 

Any woman with silicone gel implants could have leakage and not know it. There are no signs or symptoms of implant rupture. This is why the FDA continues to recommend that women with silicone gel implants get regular MRIs to detect leakage, and that any ruptured implant be removed. This is one of the reasons silicone implants cost more over the years. They also require a larger scar, because they are filled before surgical insertion.

Structured Saline Breast Implants

While silicone gel implant technology has advanced, major advancements have also been made in the world of saline-filled implants. Unstructured saline implants are not a viable option for many women, because they don’t produce a realistic feel. Today, women have access to the uniquely designed, saline-filled IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants. This structured saline breast implant is the perfect choice for women who want beautiful results and peace of mind.  

Making Your Concerns Heard

Most of the time, your plastic surgeon is the best source of information on the benefits and drawbacks of the different types of breast implants. However, some women feel their concerns about silicone gel implants and silent rupture are being dismissed by their doctors. Some plastic surgeons are incentivized by silicone gel implant companies. Not only does this cause hesitancy about adopting new technology, but it may also add bias to what should be strictly professional advice. The IDEAL IMPLANT is the latest in breast implant technology, so doctors who fail to keep up with modern advancements may still picture the outdated and unstructured “water balloon” saline device when patients ask about it. 

Many plastic surgeons disregard saline-filled implants altogether, because of silicone gel incentive programs, reluctance to apply new technology, or lack of understanding. Do not let your surgeon write off your concerns, as well. If you feel your interests are not the number one priority, find a doctor who does put you first. There is no reason to stick with someone who waves your concerns when your body, your health, and your happiness are at stake. 

It is possible that silicone implants cost doctors less in the long run than structured saline. Because a silicone gel leak often goes unnoticed, patients do not go back to their surgeons with a problem that needs to be fixed. A deflated saline implant sends a woman straight to her doctor’s office. So, if silicone implant patients are seemingly happy, why should doctors want to change their approach? 

If more plastic surgeons cared more about women’s health and well-being than their personal online reviews, they would.  

Do Silicone Implants Cost More?

When discussing implant types with your doctor, it is helpful to have an understanding of current research. The Ten Year FDA Core Clinical Trial Data show that IDEAL IMPLANT significantly outperforms silicone gel implants in primary breast augmentation. IDEAL IMPLANT had just a 3.7 percent cumulative risk of implant rupture or deflation, whereas  silicone gel implants had numbers as high as 9.3 percent (Allergan Gel) and 24.2 percent (Mentor Gel). The risk for capsular contracture is also much lower with IDEAL IMPLANT. In short, it is very likely that silicone implants cost more in the long run than structured saline.   

From 1992-2006, the FDA removed silicone gel implants from the market entirely due to safety concerns. During that time, only traditional saline implants were available. Times have changed, and now women have access to a structured saline implant that offers the same aesthetic result as silicone gel, without the risk of silent rupture. 

What Women Want

Now more than ever, women are speaking out about the health impacts of breast implants. Silent rupture is a real problem that raises concerns for thousands of women. Through a survey of 933 participants, a third-party firm found that women overwhelmingly prefer to know and be in control of what is going on in their bodies. 

  • 98% said they would be concerned about silicone gel implant silent rupture 
  • 95% said they would want a ruptured silicone implant removed, even with no symptoms, and
  • 89% reported feeling “less likely to choose silicone gel” upon learning of the FDA MRI recommendations

Dr. Vivian Ting, a California plastic surgeon, recently presented these and other similar findings to attendees at the Aesthetica Super Symposium of ASPS in Las Vegas. She says:

“Surgeons must be aware of these survey findings to ensure women’s rupture concerns are taken into consideration. Women have a right to have their concerns taken seriously about what is in their bodies, be educated about all of their implant choices including structured saline implants like the IDEAL IMPLANT, and not simply have their concerns dismissed.”

No More Compromise 

IDEAL IMPLANT enables women to achieve a beautiful, realistic look and feel with the peace of mind of having saline inside them. Dr. Larry Nichter, an IDEAL IMPLANT Premier Surgeon, offers the structured saline implants as an option for women who want natural beauty without compromise. He explains the shift he has seen in breast implant technology: 

“We moved toward silicone gel implants after 2006 because they offered a better cosmetic result over the original, unstructured saline implants. Now we have the Structured Implant technology that offers the similar natural look without MRIs or silent rupture, and the safety of only saline inside.”

2021 Breast Implant Choices

With modern advancements in breast implant science, women no longer have to choose between natural results or peace of mind. Breast augmentation patients can select either structured saline implants or cohesive silicone implants. Cost is just one factor to consider. It’s a personal decision and there’s no right or wrong choice, but it should be completely up to you. Decide what your priorities are, arm yourself with the latest information, and see multiple plastic surgeons so you can find one who will not dismiss your concerns.

Natural and Beautiful Results: Breast Surgery with Dr. Rowley

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Interested in breast implants, but want to learn more before pursuing breast surgery? Dr. Jane Rowley is committed to addressing those concerns. She wants her patients to understand their options to be able to select the right type of breast implant for their body. Unlike some other “plastic surgeons near me,” Dr. Rowley is part of an exclusive group of board-certified plastic surgeons eligible to offer the very latest in breast implant technology. She uses proven techniques and advanced products to ensure the best results possible. If you have thought about undergoing breast augmentation, the team at Rowley Plastic Surgery can help you improve your appearance and achieve your personal goals.

Three Types of Breast Implants

There is no need to search the Internet for “plastic surgeons near me” when Dr. Rowley is the only Lubbock, TX, plastic surgeon that offers every type of breast implant to her patients. Women are often familiar with saline or silicone gel breast implants. These popular choices have been around for years, and come in an assortment of shapes, sizes, and textures. But now, a third kind of breast implant is available – IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants. This new option combines all the well-loved features of both saline and silicone gel implants, without the worry of “silent rupture.”

What is a Structured Breast Implant?

Dr. Rowley specializes in breast augmentation, and with more than two decades of experience, she uses her skills and expertise to educate her patients about breast surgery. She takes the time to help her patients learn what to expect from each type of implant. Saline, silicone gel, and structured implants have significant differences, including:

Internal Design

IDEAL IMPLANTS are the only breast implant to have a layered, multidimensional structure inside. With unstructured saline implants, the sterile saltwater solution moves about uncontrolled, similar to a water balloon. This creates sloshing, and can even cause the implant to wrinkle and collapse. IDEAL IMPLANTS are composed of a series of implant shells that hold two separate chambers filled with saline. This unique structure controls the movement of the saline and reduces rippling or folding.

Look and Feel

The innovative design of this new, third type of breast implant provides the natural feel and realistic look many women associate with silicone gel implants. And although IDEAL IMPLANTS contain saline, their internal structure produces desired projection and volume. Unstructured saline implants are known to collapse when in an upright position. Structured IDEAL IMPLANTS are made in a way that the implant conforms to the natural curve of a woman’s chest, yet has supported edges to prevent collapse.

“Silent Rupture”

When silicone gel implants develop a hole or tear, the sticky gel substance leaks from the implant and becomes trapped in the surrounding tissue of a woman’s body. This is often referred to as a “silent rupture” because the problem can go undetected for many years, even though the damaged implant should be removed and the escaped gel cleaned out. IDEAL IMPLANTS give an irreplaceable peace of mind because if a structured implant ruptures, the saline filler is harmlessly absorbed and a woman is instantly made aware as the implant slightly deflates.

Breast Implant Education and Awareness

Dr. Rowley makes patient education her priority. She is open with her patients about the possibility of implant rupture following breast surgery. Due to the risk of “silent rupture”, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests all women with silicone gel implants receive regular MRI scans for the life of their implants. In a video, Dr. Rowley discusses this FDA recommendation, and also explains how an implant rupture can impact a woman’s life. 

“I feel confident with the IDEAL IMPLANT that I’m giving my patients that peace of mind. They know when their implant is leaking, they can plan their lives around that, and they know it will be a relatively simple procedure to remove and replace it.”

Dr. Jane Rowley

Preparing for Breast Surgery with Dr. Rowley

Dr. Rowley works hard to ensure her patients feel confident and secure in their choice to receive plastic surgery. She also strives to help her patients feel comfortable with the process. The idea of undergoing surgery makes some women uneasy. After all, breast surgery is a big, life-changing decision. But there is no need to worry when in the care of a world-class plastic surgeon such as Dr. Rowley. Her experience and knowledge is unsurpassed compared to other “plastic surgeons near me.” As a Texas native, Dr. Rowley graduated magna cum laude from Creighton University, then continued on to attend Creighton University School of Medicine where she completed a full general surgery residency. Her extensive training also included a year of surgical research, six months of international surgical training in the United Kingdom, and time at New York University’s Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery.

The Best “Plastic Surgeons Near Me”

Your personal goals are important to the team at Rowley Plastic Surgery. If you are interested in breast surgery, we will help you determine the right implant for your body. Contact Dr. Jane Rowley today to discuss your options. Simply call 806-792-3715 or visit RowleyPlasticSurgery.com. Dr. Rowley’s office is located at 3519 22nd Place, Lubbock, TX, 79410. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants.

IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants: Innovation at its Finest

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In 1992, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Hamas and his wife were on a flight to Colorado. Dr. Hamas was drinking scotch with ice cubes while his wife had a glass of water without ice. When the plane experienced some turbulence, the water in his wife’s cup sloshed out,  while his scotch did not. That day, the concept for the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant was born.

This simple event caused Dr. Hamas to think about breast implants in a new way. He had been wanting to develop a new type of implant for his patients for some time and he realized he could create a saline-filled breast implant with an internal structure to control movement of the saline, much like the ice cubes controlled the scotch in his glass. The IDEAL IMPLANT design eliminates the problems with unstructured saline implants, such as wrinkling, sloshing, and an unnatural feel. It also does away with patient concerns with silicone gel implants of silent rupture, the need for regular MRI scans to detect rupture, and women’s anxiety about silicone gel in their tissues. 

After ten years of development, testing, and refinement, including contributions of clinical expertise from many board-certified plastic surgeons, the IDEAL IMPLANT was approved by both FDA and Health Canada in 2014.

The Unique Design of IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants

Some patients compare the feel of older, unstructured saline breast implants to a water balloon sitting on your chest wall because the saline movement is uncontrolled, so it sloshes around when your body is in motion. With the new structured IDEAL IMPLANT, a series of implant shells nested inside and two separate chambers control the movement of the saline for a more natural feel. 

The IDEAL IMPLANT’s innovative patented internal structure is considered by many experienced plastic surgeons to be one of the best innovations in breast implant technology to date! Arizona-based IDEAL IMPLANT Premier Network Surgeon Dr. David Creech says, “The IDEAL IMPLANT has two primary chambers. In between the inner chamber and the other chamber are multiple sub-chambers which have baffling between, so it allows the saline to go in and out between that outer chamber. That creates softness.”

Illinois-based plastic surgeon Dr. James Kurley says that both he and his patients like the look and feel they get with the IDEAL IMPLANT, “I’ll be honest, these days if I’m going to put in a saline implant, it’s going to be the IDEAL IMPLANT, because it comes very close in approximation to the feel of gel implants . . . Plus, the fact that this implant doesn’t ripple and wrinkle like traditional saline implants did. . .”

No More Silent Rupture

Not only does the IDEAL IMPLANT deliver a beautiful look and natural feel, but this new implant also eliminates the problem of silent rupture. Silent rupture means women with silicone gel implants can have a leak or rupture in their implants without knowing it’s there for lengthy periods of time. Silent ruptures can cause other serious breast implant complications and lead to subsequent surgeries. 

“When there’s a silicone implant that ruptures, if you detect it relatively early, a lot of times we’re able to remove the implant as well as the scar tissue that surrounds the implant kind of as one unit,” says Virginia plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Desman. “But frequently, that leak in the silicone implant is not detected quickly, and the silicone starts to leak through that scar tissue and it gets to be a challenging, complicated surgery to get that old implant out and then put a new implant in . . . With an IDEAL IMPLANT it’s pretty easy to detect a leak because the breast will just start to get a little bit smaller as the saline leaks out, and then it’s a fairly straightforward operation to replace that implant.”

Because silent ruptures with silicone gel breast implants can happen at any time with no warning, the FDA recommends women with these implants obtain MRIs every two years to check if their implants are intact. These MRIs are expensive and usually not covered by insurance, so many women cannot afford the cost of these frequent scans. In a 2017 Independent Survey, Women’s Preferences in Breast Implants, 89% of women (91% of nurses) said that they would be less likely to choose a silicone implant after learning about the FDAs recommendations, including 42% of women who already had silicone gel breast implants. 

In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, IDEAL IMPLANT Premier Network Surgeon Dr. Naveen Setty says he likes that the IDEAL IMPLANT gives comfort to his patients, “A lot of women are concerned about monitoring implants for silent rupture, which you don’t have to do with the IDEAL IMPLANT. Most of the women coming to me are in their 30s, so they’ll have these breast implants for many years. The fact that the IDEAL IMPLANT is easier to monitor and follow up with is a big deal.”

Women with the IDEAL IMPLANT can look in the mirror and be confident that their implants are intact and feel greater peace of mind knowing there’s only saline inside should a leak occur. When you compare the IDEAL IMPLANT to other breast implant options, it also has the lowest rates of rupture and capsule contracture at eight years after primary breast augmentation. 

More Women Choosing IDEAL IMPLANT

While women can still select silicone gel breast implants or unstructured saline implants for their breast augmentation, many who hear about the IDEAL IMPLANT through online sources or from a friend walk into their surgeon’s office specifically requesting the IDEAL IMPLANT for their breast augmentation. 

Dr. Robert Hamas says, “When I started practicing, the surgeon made the decision – the women didn’t have many sources of information. Today there’s a huge amount of information on websites and through social media…Times have really changed and women expect, and they should, to be able to make their own decisions and get unbiased information.”

New York-based plastic surgeon Dr. Sophie Bartsich says that  the majority of her patients now pick the IDEAL IMPLANT for their breast implants, “Since I’ve introduced IDEAL to my practice, I’ve had almost no patients who’ve chosen to have something else. . . I think there’s something that this implant offers that I’m responding to and that my patients are responding to. The surprise I have is the scale in which it’s happening. Then when you really sit down and think about it, it’s really not that surprising . . . the results have been great and the patient satisfaction is very high.”

When selecting a surgeon for your breast augmentation, be sure you seek out someone who is board-certified and willing to present and discuss all your options with you. Your surgeon should be happy to educate you about all your implant options to help you figure out which one is best for your individual situation.

IDEAL IMPLANT: The Best of Both Worlds

One patient of Connecticut-based Ideal Implant Premier Network Surgeon Dr. Ellen Mahony who chose the IDEAL IMPLANT for her surgery had this to say, “I’m so glad for the IDEAL IMPLANT. I’m so glad that they feel just like gel, but they’re saline. . . Saline implants have come a long way from when I started researching them back when I was 19, and now you have something out there that feels just like gel . . . you have the best of both worlds: feels like gel, yet they’re saline and they’re natural . . .”

When the IDEAL IMPLANT was created, breast implant technology took a step forward! The board-certified plastic surgeons who offer IDEAL IMPLANT across North America are doctors committed to continued innovation that better serves patients. Find out for yourself why this new implant equals beauty without compromise.

IDEAL IMPLANT® vs. Silicone Implants in New Evaluation

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In a recent 8-year study, the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant was determined to have significantly lower rates of rupture and capsular contracture. Two recent evaluation procedures were created to further test and compare breast implants to see if the IDEAL IMPLANT still excelled in other areas, like malleability under mechanical strains and tangent moduli, or stability and softness correlation. During these evaluation procedures the IDEAL IMPLANT was tested against and compared to two types of silicone implants, the Allergan Natrelle INSPIRA Gel, and the Allergan Natrelle INSPIRA Cohesive Gel. These silicone gel implants are the most similar to the IDEAL IMPLANT in size, shape and texture in order to create the closest comparison. The procedures run, the results from both implants, and the conclusion of the study will be discussed below. 

New Procedures

The new evaluations of breast implants are both accurate and reproducible. Rather than waiting years to see how an implant will react in a patient’s body, these testing procedures allow for testing of an implant’s strength and flexibility beforehand which can indicate breast implant durability and stability. This could lead to creating future implants with even more advanced technology and even less risks. 

  • The initial evaluation was a test of how various types of breast implants respond geometrically to different load amounts. This helps explain the shape the implant will take depending on the type of activity performed, from laying down to vigorous aerobic exercise. This was performed by placing the breast implants between two parallel metal plates and measuring the differences between the diameter of the implant before and after compression under several different weight loads. 
  • The second procedure used tested the correlation between implant stability and implant softness by measuring the force to pinch or squeeze the implants by simulated fingertips. The amount that the implant moved and was displaced by the simulated fingertips indicated both the softness and stability of the IDEAL IMPLANT vs. the silicone implants. “. . . the pinch force for the IDEAL IMPLANT is similar to the pinch force for the Allergan gel implant, which is considered to be a standard for softness comparison. The pinch force for the IDEAL IMPLANT is also found to be much lower than the Allergan cohesive gel implant pinch force. The measured force for each local diametric strain therefore provides a mathematical description of the implant tactility or palpability. For a given local diametric strain such as squeezing or pinching, a more compliant, or softer implant, would require a lower force to squeeze or pinch the implant.”

IDEAL IMPLANT vs. Silicone Gel 

According to this new methodology, the IDEAL IMPLANT held its shape and profile better and more consistently under different load types than the silicone implants. This means that a woman with IDEAL IMPLANTS can exercise, run, embrace, lay down, etc., without worrying about a drastic change in the way her implants look. This also means that the IDEAL IMPLANT is stronger, which leads to zero cases of folding failures and lower rates of rupture and capsular contracture. Although the implant is very strong, it doesn’t feel firm. At lower compression rates like in the pinching and squeezing evaluation, the IDEAL IMPLANT displays similar or greater softness to silicone gel implants: 

“Compared to gel implants of similar size, the IDEAL IMPLANT has lower multi-dimensional strains and higher tangent moduli especially for loads exceeding about 100 N. The shape stability of the IDEAL IMPLANT described mathematically by these factors may help explain the higher ultimate strength of the IDEAL IMPLANT, the absence of clinical fold flaw failures, and the favorable clinical outcomes of lower CC rates and lower deflation/rupture rates, especially those related to shell failures. Despite the higher shape stability of the IDEAL IMPLANT relative to [silicone] implants, at low, localized compressive loads the IDEAL IMPLANT exhibits palpability similar to a gel implant, and is much more compliant to localized compressive forces than the cohesive gel implant.” 

Conclusion

According to these methods used to compare the IDEAL IMPLANT to silicone implants, the IDEAL IMPLANT outperforms the silicone gel implants tested in strength and durability while being comparable to silicone implants in softness. 

“Future testing using this methodology may help in understanding the linkage between implant mechanical properties and clinical outcomes. This methodology may also provide the means to assess and optimize current and future implant designs toward improved clinical outcomes.” 

Thanks to these new evaluation procedures, patients can rest assured that their implants will be dependable and beautiful for a very long time. The IDEAL IMPLANT offers women a separate option from saline and silicone gel. Gone are the days that women need to worry about their breast implants rippling, changing shape, or rupturing. With the IDEAL IMPLANT, women have access to a soft, durable implant that looks natural and offers peace of mind. To find out more about the IDEAL IMPLANT, visit idealimplant.com.

Before Choosing Between Saline, Structured, and Silicone Implants Determine if Cosmetic Surgery is the Right Path

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Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the United States. It offers women increased self-esteem and satisfaction with their bodies. But before you start researching topics like structured implants versus silicone gel implants (sometimes referred to simply as silicone breast implants), you need to determine if you are a good candidate for surgery. Read our guide below before you make an appointment with your board-certified plastic surgeon.

Evaluating Your “Why”

Why are you seeking out a breast augmentation? There are many reasons women want to enhance their breasts. For some, pregnancy or weight loss has left them with less volume. Others have always had naturally small breasts and want a more feminine look. Most women experience some amount of asymmetry, but for some this asymmetry is very noticable and they want to even out their breasts. Sit down and think about your “why.” There is no wrong answer, as long as you are doing it for yourself. A breast augmentation will not improve personal relationships, job status, or social standing. If you feel pressured by a friend, relative, boss, or significant other to get a breast augmentation, your surgery will leave you feeling unsatisfied.

Set Realistic Expectations to Help You Choose Saline, Structured, or Silicone Implants

Setting realistic expectations is one of the keys to a successful cosmetic procedure. Every woman is different in needs, wants, and results. Rather than expecting to become a “perfect” version of yourself, strive to enhance your natural beauty though cosmetic surgery. Know that what worked for one person won’t necessarily work for you.

To get an idea of how choosing implants works, we talked to Dr. Eric Desman, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Alexandria, Virginia. He tells us

“A 300cc implant is going to look vastly different in a woman who is 5’ 1”, 105 pounds, who’s never had any children compared to a 5’ 7”, 147 pound woman who’s had two or three kids. Those women are very different in body physique and tissue type. So, during the course of a consultation, we’ll take some measurements of your breast tissues. This helps me see if what you wish to get out of breast augmentation is an achievable result. If you come in for your consultation and want to have exactly the same procedure as your best friend, that may just not be right for you. I try not to focus so much on cup size, and really hone in on the final look my patient wants.”

Looking at breast augmentation before and after pictures will give you an idea of the results you can expect. Make a note of the breast implant type (structured, saline, or silicone), breast implant size, and placement that you like. Bring these factors up with your plastic surgeon to help you decide the right path for you. Dr. Scott Greenberg, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Winter Park, Florida, explains the process his patients go through when choosing an implant. He says

“we recommend that they go to our website where they can look at photos of patients who have had breast augmentation. We have pictures taken from the front and the sides. I ask my patients to especially look at the side views. It’s been my experience that if we can get the upper pole of the breasts the way a patient wants in terms of the amount of fullness, then they will be happy. I tell my patients not to get caught up in letters or numbers when it comes to the cup size they want.”

Preparing for Surgery and Beyond

Breast augmentation is an investment in your happiness and in your future. But before you take the plunge you need to know what is involved. Make sure you consider the risks associated with surgery so you can weigh them against the benefits a breast augmentation will bring you. Your board-certified plastic surgeon should be upfront with you about these risks so you can choose the best path for yourself.

It is important to know that costs associated with a breast augmentation don’t stop after your primary augmentation. Women with silicone implants incur extra costs when they adhere to FDA MRI guidelines. Some women seek out revision surgery to increase their implant size. Others require additional surgery to address complications.

Dr. Paul Zwiebel, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, explains how and why women should prepare themselves for future surgery

“Many women ask about the durability of the implant or whether or not they’re going to have repeat operations in the future. For years, there’s been kind of an urban myth out there that implants have to be replaced at 10 years. That’s not the case. Implants don’t really have an expiration date. However, even the latest data does show that there’s a high likelihood that anybody who chooses to have breast augmentation will probably have another operation sometime during their lifetime. I think the most important thing women can do is to go into surgery emotionally and financially prepared for the likelihood of another operation at some point in the future. While we always hope that the implants will last forever, realistically, doctors and patients have to be prepared for the eventuality of some additional surgery in the years to come.”

The breast implant you choose will have a statistically higher or lower rate of complications. For example, silicone breast implants have rupture rates for primary augmentation as high as 13% at eight years, while the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant rate is only 2.1% at eight years. Knowing these statistics will help you choose the best breast implant, and help you prepare for your future. To learn more about breast implant complication statistics visit our comparison page.

Breast Augmentation Recovery

While you will see immediate results after a breast augmentation, you shouldn’t expect to return to your normal routine as quickly. Dr. Larry Weinstein, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chester, New Jersey, tells us, “We explain to our patients that they won’t be able to exercise for several weeks afterwards. I usually recommend waiting three weeks to exercise again. I do encourage and appreciate patients who exercise regularly, but you have to give your body some time to rest and heal from a procedure like this. You can’t expect to go out and conquer the world in the first three weeks. Most patients can go back to work in four or five days, but you shouldn’t try to do every activity that you would normally do.” Recovery is generally the same if you choose saline, structured, or silicone implants. In every case it is important to adhere to your surgeon’s instructions for the best results.

Schedule Your Consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Today

When you’re ready to start your journey, make an appointment with an IDEAL IMPLANT surgeon. IDEAL IMPLANT surgeons are board-certified, and have shown a commitment to high quality patient care. They offer IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants so their patients can experience a natural looking result with the peace of mind of only saline inside.

At your first consultation, your plastic surgeon will help you determine whether or not you are a good candidate for surgery. Your surgeon should always be honest with you while you compare enhancement options including silicone breast implants and the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant. Find the right surgeon near you with our easy Surgeon Finder.

How Breast Implant Surgery Can Increase Confidence

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Is there something weighing on your mind? Maybe you don’t even consciously realize it, but it is possible that you have been letting negative thoughts about yourself nag you for years. For most women in our society today, comparison to others, on social media and in messages from TV and ads, can make us feel like we aren’t measuring up. If you’ve been feeling that way, think about what needs to change. Are the things you don’t like about yourself traits that you simply need to learn to accept? Or are they things you have control over, but haven’t taken the time to change? Maybe it’s some of both. Sometimes learning to love yourself combined with finding the best plastic surgeon to address a few things is the answer, leaving you more confident in yourself and more at peace with who you are.

Finding the Best Plastic Surgeon

If you do feel like plastic surgery could help you let go of some of those negative thoughts that nag you every day, finding the best plastic surgeon is key. There isn’t one plastic surgeon that is better than all the rest in the world, but there will be one best plastic surgeon for you and your specific needs. Word of mouth and reviews are powerful resources in getting to know characteristics about plastic surgeons. However, until you meet personally with someone, you can’t really know how you will click with them. Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon with the proper training and education. The FDA only requires that someone be a doctor in order to perform breast implant surgery. This means that doctors who have no specific training in breast implant surgery are allowed to perform them.

If a surgeon is board-certified, this means that they have spent extra money and taken extra time out of their busy schedules to gain additional education and training. Someone that you can trust your body with when you elect to have breast implant surgery is someone who is board-certified. Then make sure that they are open and honest with you. Rather than trying to upsell you on products and make you feel like a number, your surgeon should explain all of the potential benefits and compromises of each of your options and make you feel completely comfortable asking questions and raising concerns. One of the most popular plastic surgery choices today is breast implant surgery.

“I think it’s hard sometimes for patients to understand what doctor to go to. The first and most important thing I think women should look at is if their doctor or their intended doctor is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. That is very easy to find out by going to the American Board of Plastic Surgery website. Once that piece is covered, I think that there are ways to find a doctor that you can trust. Word of mouth of friends or family members that have also used a doctor for a similar reason, or somebody else in the healthcare field that knows which plastic surgeons are better than the others.” – Dr. Jonathan Heistein

Breast Implant Surgery Options

Breast implant surgery is very popular among women today because of the way our bodies are viewed and how they make us feel. Many women are self conscious about their breast area, whether they think it is too small, too big, or completely changed after years of pregnancy, nursing, and weight fluctuation. This is a common surgery too, because there is nothing we can do on our own, through diet or exercise, to significantly alter our breasts. With a simple breast implant surgery, many women can let go of negative feelings towards that part of their body and start to feel confident again.

In the past, women only had two breast implant surgery options: silicone gel implants or unstructured saline implants. Silicone gel implants were very popular because they feel more like natural breasts. The concern that comes with silicone gel implants is that it is difficult to tell when they rupture. Commonly known as a “silent rupture,” if the implant breaks, the silicone gel can leak into your body and may not be detected or show symptoms until years later. Saline implants are also popular because if they leak, the saline fluid is harmlessly absorbed and provides instant detection. The disadvantage to unstructured saline implants is that they tend to ripple and feel more like water balloons than natural breast tissue.

The IDEAL IMPLANT

Now women have another breast implant surgery option, the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant. This implant looks and feels natural because it does not easily move around or ripple thanks to its internal structure. Filled with saline, there is no need for an MRI every two-to-three years to check for silent ruptures which provides women with the best of both worlds: a beautiful, natural feel with complete peace of mind. If women are still wondering if the IDEAL IMPLANT is the best breast implant surgery option for them, they need only read the latest research performed by Ideal Implant Incorporated showing that the IDEAL IMPLANT has the lowest risk of rupture and capsular contracture rates in comparison to silicone gel implants.

“From a surgeon’s perspective, I like the IDEAL IMPLANT because they have a fill range that gives us a lot of control in the operating room for sizing of the implant. Most women have a bit of asymmetry, so we’re able to even that out during a breast enhancement procedure. The IDEAL IMPLANT also has a great feel to the touch after surgery and gives women a very natural look. Combine that with the lower capsular contracture rates and lower rupture rates that come along with IDEAL IMPLANT and these are all things that really make it a nice device to work with. Most of my patients are choosing IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants for these reasons over silicone gel implants.” – Dr. Eric Desman

Is Breast Implant Surgery Right for You?

Maybe you still aren’t sure if you want to get breast implant surgery. How much will it affect your lifestyle or self-esteem? Will it really change the way you feel about yourself? Whatever you do, don’t compare your situation to someone else’s. Beauty is defined differently from culture to culture, and generation to generation. What matters most is how you want to feel in your own skin. Being confident in who you are and feeling amazing in your body will help you live the best life that you were meant to live. Consider taking the time to self reflect on why you think negative thoughts about yourself and if a breast implant surgery will solve that or if you also need a true change in mindset. It is up to you to take control of your life and allow yourself the freedom to be the best version of you.

In the end, it’s your life and your decision. How other people feel and think has nothing to do with how you feel in your individual body and the personal journey that you want to go on. It’s never too late to realize the freedom you possess and make the most of it. Take control of your life and discover your breast implant surgery options. Make the best decision for you and your lifestyle and let a board-certified plastic surgeon that you trust guide you in the perfect direction. Our world is changing and so are you. There is beauty in change and you can take part in that by letting go of who you were and becoming who you have always wanted to be.

Learn About Your Breast Implant Options with Help From Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons

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Are you considering a breast augmentation? With several different types of breast implants to choose from, you may be wondering which type is best. Experienced board-certified plastic surgeons tell us what you need to know about breast implants before picking one.

Breast Implant Options: Saline, Silicone Gel, Structured

All breast implants are created by filling a solid silicone shell with either saline or silicone gel. The breast implant you choose will determine your aesthetic outcome, as well as how much long-term maintenance you will need. Additionally, saline and silicone gel breast implants offer textured surface options. It is important to note however, texture surface implants may cause long-term complications and many surgeons do not offer them anymore. Most surgeons offer a variety of saline and silicone gel breast implants, but only exclusive board-certified plastic surgeons offer IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants. Finding a plastic surgeon who provides every option will help you get the best results possible.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline breast implants are FDA approved for women 18 and over. Dr. Paul Zwiebel, board-certified plastic surgeon in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, explains the benefits of saline breast implants, “One of the classic advantages of saline implants and why women have selected them in the past is that saline implants are filled with salt water, a natural occurring substance in the body. So if the saline implant were to leak, that salt water is absorbed and doesn’t harm the woman. Many women find that very comforting from the standpoint of a margin of safety.”

One other benefit of saline breast implants is instant rupture detection. Because saline is a liquid similar in density to water, the implant will deflate when a rupture occurs. There is no need for an MRI to detect a rupture, giving women extra peace of mind.

However, one major drawback of saline breast implants is the look and feel. Many women and surgeons say they feel unnatural and show visible rippling under the skin. Dr. Constance Barone, board-certified plastic surgeon in San Antonio, Texas, explains, “one of the things I hated, and most women hated, about saline was the unnatural feel of the saline implants. They felt like balloons underneath the chest wall.” For this reason many women turn to other types of breast implants.

Silicone Gel Breast Implants

Silicone gel breast implants are FDA approved for women 22 and older. They are filled with silicone gel, which is a much denser substance than saline. Dr. Matthew Galumbeck, board-certified plastic surgeon in Virginia Beach, Virginia, tells us  “In 2007, the silicone gel implants came out and the advantage is that because it’s more cohesive, it has a more natural look, more natural feel.” Women enjoy the look and feel of silicone gel, and the fact that they are less likely to ripple.

Silicone gel breast implants also come in round and teardrop shapes. Round breast implants provide more fullness and projection, similar to the look of a push-up bra. Teardrop breast implants give women a more subtle profile. The disadvantage of shaped implants is they may turn inside the breast pocket and require surgery to correct. Saline and structured breast implants are only available as round implants.

Though women love the natural look of this breast implant option, silicone gel comes with certain drawbacks. Again, Dr. Galumbeck explains, “The disadvantage is that if it leaks, the silicone gel stays in the breast tissue and so you can’t tell that its leaked with a ‘silent rupture.’ The FDA actually recommends that women get MRIs every two years to look for leakage.” The possibility of a silent rupture means women must deal with the hassle and cost of repeated MRIs, or the anxiety of not knowing if their implant is intact.

Additionally, surgery to remove a leaked silicone gel breast implant can be difficult. Dr. Eric Desman, board-certified plastic surgeon in Alexandria, Virginia tells us, “if you have silicone gel implants and you detect a rupture early enough, a lot of times we’re able to remove the implant as well as the scar tissue that surrounds the implant as one unit. But frequently that leak in the silicone gel implant is not detected quickly and the silicone starts to leak through that scar tissue. A patient will then need a challenging, complicated surgery to get that old implant out and then put a new implant in. If the patient puts new silicone gel implants back in, then they’re just restarting the clock on the next problem or process with a leaked silicone gel implant.”

Structured Breast Implants

The IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant is the newest type of breast implant to be FDA approved, and is available for women 18 and older. Dr. Galumbeck describes the IDEAL IMPLANT telling us, “the third implant that’s been approved since 2014 is the IDEAL IMPLANT. The nice thing about this is it’s an all saline implant, but it’s structured so that it’s an implant surrounding an implant. And because of the structure it looks and feels like the silicone gel implant. It has a very natural look, very natural feel, doesn’t ripple, but it also has the advantage that if it leaks, because it’s saline, the salt water is absorbed by the body.”

IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants were created by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Robert S. Hamas. After spending years listening to patient concerns about the compromises of saline and silicone gel, Dr. Hamas decided to develop a new breast implant option. With IDEAL IMPLANT Dr. Hamas combined what women love about saline and silicone gel. The internal structure of IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants give it stability, meaning it moves and feels like natural breast tissue. Many surgeons and patients have noted that they cannot tell the difference between a silicone gel implant and the IDEAL IMPLANT in blind tests. As Dr. Galumbeck explained above, the implant is filled with saline. Ruptures can be detected instantly, there is no need for repeated MRIs, and the saline is naturally absorbed by the body.

IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants have one of the lowest rates of complications among breast implants. According to FDA Core clinical trial data, the IDEAL IMPLANT has a rupture rate of only 2.1% at eight years after a primary breast augmentation. Silicone gel breast implants have rupture rates as high as 13.6% at eight years after a primary breast augmentation. To compare more statistics and facts between IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants and silicone gel breast implants visit idealimplant.com/compare.

We asked plastic surgeons why they choose to offer IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants alongside other types of breast implants for breast augmentation. Dr. Desman explains, “the IDEAL IMPLANT has a great feel to the touch after surgery and gives women a very natural look. Combine that with the lower capsular contracture rates and lower rupture rates that come along with IDEAL IMPLANT and these are all things that really make it a nice device to work with.” Dr. Larry Nichter, board-certified plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, California, states, “It’s incredibly safe and so there’s far fewer lifetime surgeries with an IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant, compared to traditional silicone-gel implants.”

Visit Your Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon To Learn More

Every woman is different, which is why it is important to have access to a wide variety of breast implant options before your breast augmentation. An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon will review all your options, present up-to-date data, and help you make the best choice for your body. To find a board-certified plastic surgeon near you, visit https://idealimplant.com/find-a-surgeon/.

Structured Breast Implant Outperforms Silicone Implants in 8-year Study

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What Happens During a Breast Augmentation – and How to Ensure Success

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How Breast Augmentations are Performed by Hampton Roads Best Plastic Surgeons

Have you ever wondered what happens during a breast augmentation surgery? Patients are under anesthesia during the surgery and unaware of what is being done. Surgeons sometimes do not explain the step by step process of the surgery to their patients. Now Dr. Matthew Galumbeck, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Virginia Beach, shares what really goes on when the patient is asleep. Dr. Galumbeck uses the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant to give his patients beautiful, natural looking results without worrying about silent ruptures. Learn about a real surgery performed by Dr. Galumbeck as he informs us of the process below.

How to Find the Best Plastic Surgeons in Hampton Roads

Before you can even consider what surgery will entail you need to find a plastic surgeon. Start by searching for a plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. A board-certified surgeon receives training specific to plastic surgery, and stays up to date with medical research. Schedule a consultation so you can get to know your surgeon and feel comfortable with them. Look at before and after pictures of previous surgeries, either at the surgeon’s office or on their website, to judge their skill level. Find out how many breast augmentations they have performed, and look at patient reviews on websites such as RealSelf. Dr. Galumbeck’s patients often call him one of Hampton Roads best plastic surgeons because he is experienced, skilled, and compassionate. Learn more about Dr. Galumbeck’s education and experience by visiting his website.

Your Pre-Surgical Appointment

There are several decisions you will need to make at your pre-surgical appointment that will affect how your surgery is performed. Bring up any questions or concerns you may have about different methods your surgeon recommends. From the first consultation to the final check-up, Dr. Galumbeck welcomes any questions and concerns, and wants all of his patients to feel empowered to make the best decisions for their health. A few of the decisions Dr. Galumbeck discusses at a breast augmentation consultation are:

  • Incision Site
  • Type of Implant
  • Implant Placement

Dr. Galumbeck will assess your size, learn about your desired results, and make recommendations for an individualized treatment plan. Your breast augmentation can be combined with other procedures such as a breast lift or a tummy tuck in order to achieve your goals. While at his office, you will be able to view before and after pictures from real patients on whom Dr. Galumbeck has operated. Dr. Galumbeck is dedicated to listening to his patients and providing them the best options for a safe and effective plastic surgery experience.

Choosing an Incision with the Best Plastic Surgeons in Hampton Roads

Before your breast augmentation, your surgeon will help you choose a type of incision. Your incision site will determine where your breast augmentation scar will be. There are benefits and compromises to each type of incision and your surgeon can explain these in detail. The incision itself will be a few centimeters long if you choose an IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant, or longer if you choose a silicone gel breast implant. This is because silicone gel breast implants are pre-filled with silicone gel, while the IDEAL IMPLANT comes as a shell that can be rolled up, inserted, and then filled with saline once it is placed in the breast pocket. Below is a basic description of each type of incision.

  1. Axillary Incision: An incision through the armpit, made so there is no scar on the breast. However, if a sleeveless top or swimsuit is worn the scar can be seen when the patient lifts her arms. An endoscope is used to create and check the pocket. 
  2. Inframammary Incision: This incision is performed under the breast, in the breast crease. The scar can be hidden under clothing and swimsuits, but may be visible when lying flat.
  3. Transumbilical Incision: The implant is placed through an incision in the belly-button. This type of incision is uncommon because it is not recommended by breast implant manufacturers and many surgeons do not use it. Similar to an axillary incision, an endoscope is used to create and check the pocket.
  4. Periareolar Incision: This incision goes around the areola. Dr. Galumbeck tells us this type of incision “is a good place because the color change hides the scar very well.” He explains that during surgery, “we’re going to go right around the tissue down to the bottom so we don’t cut through the breast tissue. It stays attached to the nipple, so after surgery patients are able to breastfeed, if they get pregnant and have children.”

Choosing Breast Implants: Hampton Roads Best Plastic Surgeons Offer Options

Picking your breast implants is one of the most important decisions you will make. Each implant type has unique benefits and compromises to consider. Silicone gel breast implants used to be a popular choice because they offer a natural looking result. However, they come with a risk of silent rupture, which is a rupture that may show no symptoms for years. The FDA recommends that women with silicone gel breast implants get an MRI every three years to check for a silent rupture. A ruptured silicone gel breast implant must be removed, along with any silicone gel that has leaked into the breast tissue. Many women feel anxiety about not knowing the status of their implant. This, combined with the cost of repeated MRIs, caused many women to desire an alternative to silicone gel.

The IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant was created to give women the beautiful results they want, without worrying about silent rupture. It was FDA approved in 2014. The IDEAL IMPLANT is a structured implant with multiple layered shells. These shells give the implant stability that results in a smooth, natural looking breast augmentation. Dr. Galumbeck is one of the only surgeons in the Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads area to offer the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant. He is also one of the top surgeons in the nation using this implant and was recently named an IDEAL IMPLANT Premier Surgeon.

Breast implant choices are important for women to have. It is up to you to decide the best breast implants for your body and your lifestyle. You can get more facts about how breast implants compare by visiting the IDEAL IMPLANT comparison page.

Breast Implant Placement

Another choice your surgeon will discuss is whether to place the implant under the pectoral muscle or on top of it. When the implant is placed under the muscle it is less likely to ripple, has a lower risk of capsular contracture, and is easier to read on a mammogram. However, implants placed under the muscle can also become displaced upward when the muscle is flexed. Implants placed above the muscle tend to have a rounder shape and are not distorted when the muscle is flexed. This type of implant placement may also prevent the need for a breast lift in some women. However, placing the implant above the muscle does have a higher incidence of capsular contracture and implant rippling. For patients choosing to place their implant above the muscle, the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant is recommended because the structure makes it less likely to ripple and it has a low risk of capsular contracture.

Your Surgical Experience with Hampton Roads Best Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Galumbeck strives to provide his patients with the most effective treatments performed in a private and comfortable environment. He performs breast augmentations in his fully accredited operating suite. The first step before your surgery is to make preoperative markings, to ensure your breast implants are placed properly. A physician anesthesiologist will then administer IV anesthesia. After you are asleep, Dr. Galumbeck will use the incision you have chosen to begin your breast augmentation.

Creating a Pocket in the Breast Tissue

After performing the incision, Dr. Galumbeck will create a pocket in the breast tissue into which the breast implant will be placed. When using a periareolar incision, Dr. Galumbeck says he cuts “around the breast tissue, down to the bottom of the chest. We’re going to pick this tissue up and we’re going down to the muscle.”

Dr. Galumbeck tells us with one recent patient,

“Because she’s thin, we’re going to go under the pectoralis muscle. So we’re cutting down to it. We don’t cut the muscle, we’re just going to lift it up. We’re just going to develop the plane that’s separating the muscle off the chest wall, leaving it attached on the side so it doesn’t affect her strength, range of motion, anything like that. We decided pre-operatively where the pocket was going to be. She selected her size which is a 455cc implant. We’re going to make sure that the dissection of the pocket looks good.”

After checking the pocket Dr. Galumbeck uses a method to reduce risk of infections, “We’re going to get an antibiotic soaked gauze. I’m going to put that in to make sure that we don’t have any worries of infection.” Dr. Galumbeck uses an endoscope to check inside the pocket and make sure everything looks ready to place the breast implant. An endoscope is a small camera surgeons use to look inside the body. Dr. Galumbeck uses it during breast augmentations to check the breast pockets. When Dr. Galumbeck sees the pocket is dry, the surgery can move forward and he knows drains will not be necessary afterward. Using technology such as the endoscope and paying close attention to each detail is part of what makes Dr. Galumbeck one of the best plastic surgeons in Hampton Roads.

Inserting the Breast Implants

Dr. Galumbeck inserts the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant by following a few simple steps. First the implant is soaked in an antibiotic to decrease risk of infection. After soaking, excess air is taken out of the implant and it can be placed through the incision. Dr. Galumbeck tells us, “the nice thing with the IDEAL IMPLANT is we fill it after the implant is in so it’s easier to make a smaller incision. Silicone gel implants, because they’re prefilled, you need to make a larger incision.” The IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant is rolled up to make it small enough to fit through the incision. Once inside it is filled with saline and Dr. Galumbeck points out, “we actually have the ability to adjust to different fill sizes, if we need to adjust for symmetry we certainly can.” There are two fill ports and two fill tubes that surgeons use to fill the implant with saline after they are inserted into the breast pocket. After the breast implants are inserted and filled Dr. Galumbeck sits the patient up to make sure no adjustments are needed. When he is happy with the results, the fill tubes are taken out.

Closing the Incision

Closing the incision is a delicate and artistic process which the best plastic surgeons in Hampton Roads take very seriously. Dr. Galumbeck uses a nylon suture that will be taken out at one week post-op. Dr. Galumbeck tells us this suture “won’t leave any stitch marks, it just slides right out in a week.” After this final step, each patient is taken to a recovery area for monitoring. Patients are typically sent home the same day, and can go back to work and social activities within a week. Remember to follow any post-op instructions given by your plastic surgeon, such as wearing a support bra or taking antibiotics. These instructions will help you to achieve your desired results and avoid excessive pain and infections.

Time to Enjoy Your Body

Congratulations, your breast augmentation is complete! If you chose the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant for your augmentation, there is nothing left but to get out there and enjoy your new body. With a rupture rate of only 2.1% for primary augmentations at 8 years, according to FDA trial study results, the IDEAL IMPLANT offers beautiful results with low risk of future complications. And if the implant does rupture patients know immediately because the implant deflates slightly. There is no risk of silent rupture and no need for MRIs, giving women peace of mind. Women with silicone gel breast implants should schedule periodic MRIs to check for silent ruptures, and visit their surgeon if they feel any symptoms such as tightening, tingling, or hard lumps in their breasts as those can be signs of complications.

You deserve to feel confident and empowered in your new body. Visiting one of Hampton Roads best plastic surgeons, Dr. Galumbeck, is the first step in your journey. If you have ever considered breast augmentation, there has never been a better time to start.

Considering breast implants in Virginia Beach? Contact Dr. Matthew Galumbeck today to discuss your options. Simply call 757-320-4115, or visit www.galumbeckplasticsurgery.com. Dr. Galumbeck’s office is located at  1817 Republic Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.

Dr. Constance Barone Explains How To Pick the Best Breast Implant

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We asked San Antonio plastic surgeon Dr. Constance Barone to explain what options women have when choosing breast implants. Dr. Barone is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience. She is a respected member of the medical community and known for her work as an innovator in plastic surgery, an author, and a teacher. Her extensive background, training, and work has resulted in her designation as one of America’s Top Doctors by multiple professional organizations, patient review sites, and media outlets. Recently she was named an Ideal Implant Premier Surgeon because she is one of the most experienced surgeons performing breast augmentations with the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant.

Dr. Barone is dedicated to providing the safest and most efficient procedures for her patients. She also believes each patient should have access to a variety of choices in order to reach their goals. She offers every type of breast implant at her plastic surgery center and works to educate each patient about the benefits and compromises of each. Read below to learn what Dr. Barone has to say about choosing the best breast implants for you.

Dr. Barone is dedicated to providing the safest and most efficient procedures for her patients. She also believes each patient should have access to a variety of choices in order to reach their goals. She offers every type of breast implant at her plastic surgery center and works to educate each patient about the benefits and compromises of each. Read below to learn what Dr. Barone has to say about choosing the best breast implants for you.

What Breast Implants are Available?

The FDA has approved 3 types of breast implants: saline breast implants, silicone gel breast implants, and IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants. At Dr. Barone’s plastic surgery center, you can see and feel each implant to help you make your choice. Before and after pictures are also available so you can see what the final results will look like.

  • Saline implants are filled with saline (sterile saltwater), which is naturally and safely absorbed by the body if the implant ruptures. Saline has many medical uses, including IV fluids to keep patients hydrated.  A rupture can be detected immediately because the implant will deflate as the saline flows out of it and is absorbed by the body. These implants tend to visibly ripple and women complain that they feel unnatural, especially if they do not have much breast tissue or fat covering the implant.
  • Silicone gel implants have silicone gel inside the shell for a smooth and attractive result, but can give some women anxiety about potential complications. Silicone gel is not absorbed by the body, and it can be difficult to know if the implant has ruptured. Silicone gel has more recommended maintenance and a higher rate of rupture and capsular contracture than some other breast implant types. Many surgeons recommend replacing silicone gel breast implants every 10 years to avoid complications.
  • The IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant is the newest breast implant type. Dr. Barone tells us, “it consists of a saltwater-filled structured breast implant. There is an outer fill valve, which covers the outer area, and then there’s an inner fill valve that covers the inner lumen. So, there’s actually two fill sites, which allows this implant to have a very natural feel, as opposed to saline implants, which felt hard and like a balloon.” The saltwater inside gives women peace of mind in the event of a rupture. Based on 8-year clinical trial results, it also has lower complication rates for capsular contracture and rupture compared to silicone gel breast implants.

How Does the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant Compare to Silicone Gel?

The IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant was created to address common concerns with saline and silicone gel breast implants. Women should know about these concerns before they choose their breast implants. Dr. Barone explains the benefits and compromises of silicone gel breast implants, and how the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant compares:

“We like the feel of silicone gel implants. We just don’t like the fact that we should be getting MRIs at three years and every two years thereafter. That’s an out-of-pocket expense, which can be quite expensive. The other thing is, sometimes there’s silent ruptures. What’s that mean? That means it ruptures without you knowing it and silicone gel leaks out. And what happens when that happens? Well, you can get a hard, calcified capsular contracture, and silicone gel can migrate. There have been studies that show silicone gel has been found in the livers of people who’ve had a silicone gel breast implant augmentation. The IDEAL IMPLANT is called a structured implant because it has little sleeves in the shell, which allows it to have a buoyancy to it, so it feels more natural. It comes with a lifetime warranty. It also comes with a warranty for capsular contracture. We like the fact that this is a very, very user friendly implant. And do you have to exchange it out? No. If you’re having no problems, it’s intended to be kept in place for a lifetime.”

Overall, Dr. Barone believes the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant has many advantages over silicone gel breast implants and recommends them to women who want beautiful, natural looking results with peace of mind.

What Happens If a Breast Implant Ruptures?

What exactly is “implant rupture,” and how does it affect women? An implant can develop a small hole in the shell and begin to leak. In silicone gel breast implants, women may not notice a difference in their breasts, meaning the rupture is “silent,” as Dr. Barone described above. Or they may feel a hardening or tightening, or feel lumps. As Dr. Barone mentioned, the silicone gel may migrate out of the breast capsule and into other parts of the body. In a recent survey of over 900 women 98% reported they would be somewhat concerned to constantly concerned about silent rupture with silicone gel implants. Before the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant was introduced many women felt they had to make the difficult choice between constant concern with silicone gel breast implants, and the unnatural feel of saline breast implants.

The IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant can also rupture, but there is no risk of a silent rupture. The saline inside begins to leak out of the implant and is safely absorbed by the body. A saline implant will deflate completely, leaving just the shell behind. Dr. Barone explains what happens when an IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant ruptures, “one of the advantages of the IDEAL IMPLANT is that, if you get a deflation, it probably just deflates the outer sleeve so it’s not as obvious of a deflation.” This means that although you will notice a difference in your breasts, it will not be as obvious as with saline breast implants. You have the ability to plan a revision surgery around your life and your schedule.

The FDA recommends every type of implant be removed and replaced if a rupture occurs. The IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant can easily be removed and replaced by your plastic surgeon. Silicone gel breast implants can be more complicated to remove after a rupture, especially if the silicone gel has migrated into the body tissues away from the breast capsule. The FDA explains what happens if silicone gel begins to travel outside the breast capsule, “The leaked silicone gel may cause lumps to form in the breast or in other tissue, most often the chest wall, armpit or arm. It may be difficult or impossible to remove silicone gel that has traveled to other parts of the body.”

How Do Breast Implants Compare Aesthetically?

Saline breast implants are often compared to water balloons because they are simply a silicone shell filled with saltwater. They are not as dense as breast tissue and may ripple under the skin. This can especially be a problem in women without much breast tissue or fat to cover the implant. Dr. Barone tells us “I was very excited when the IDEAL IMPLANT came out because one of the things I hated, and most women hated, about the saline implant was just the unnatural feel. They felt like balloons underneath the chest wall.” The internal structure of the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant gives it a smooth, natural looking result that many compare to the look and feel of silicone gel breast implants.

Dr. Barone tells us about the aesthetic benefits of the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant as compared to silicone gel breast implants. “One of the other advantages of the IDEAL IMPLANT is the fact that it’s got a nice contour to it. It’s not super high profile, so you don’t get that real full upper pole, but it’s a more natural look. The other advantage is that there’s less rippling associated with IDEAL IMPLANT. I know everybody says that silicone gel implants don’t ripple, but guess what? They do. There’s rippling associated with both types of implants, but I feel far less with the IDEAL IMPLANT.” Aesthetically, the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant gives women the natural, beautiful results they want.

How Does Dr. Barone Present Choices to Patients?

Patient choice and education are very important. No patient should ever feel pushed into a decision they feel uncomfortable with. Dr. Barone tells us how she presents breast implant options to her patients:

“When people make their selection in my office, I present all types of breast implants to them. I present to them the adjustable breast implant. I present to them the silicone gel breast implant. I present to them the IDEAL IMPLANT. And I present to them the saline implant. Why do I do that? I think that’s an important part of an informed consent. So a woman can make their own decision as to what type of implant they want. I give them brochures on all different types of breast implants so that they can do their homework and they can study on it. I’m an investor in IDEAL IMPLANTS because I believe in this implant. I think it’s a great choice for women who want a breast augmentation. Because, if it does leak, it’s only saltwater. I don’t try to influence my patients. I let them make the decisions as they feel and look at the implants. But I also tell them the pros and cons of all the implants. For breast augmentation, I think the IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant is the choice today.”

How Should Women Choose a Plastic Surgeon?

Women should know it is important to choose an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your breast augmentation. A board-certified plastic surgeon has spent years training and performing plastic surgery procedures, learning about every complication and how to get the best possible outcome. Additionally, to maintain board-certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery physicians must meet continuing education requirements and take exams periodically.

Dr. Barone is board-certified in plastic surgery, so her patients know from the first meeting that she is dedicated to providing safe and effective medical care. Her patient reviews reflect her level of professionalism and her compassion. Read what some recent patients had to say about their experiences below.

“I was very satisfied and comfortable discussing my options with the doctor. She was very attentive to my needs and met all expectations, always very friendly and professional. I love the new me and highly recommend her to make you happy.”

www.RealSelf.com user liviaodabachian

“Excellent doctor and staff! Very caring, they take time to answer questions and follow up. Would recommend to anyone! I have been coming here for years. What a difference it has made in my life and confidence.”

www.Google.com user Ruby Rupprecht

“Dr. Barone is the best of the best and I am very happy with my results. I highly recommend her to my family and friends. Go see her!”

www.Facebook.com user Carmen Pazmino

If you’re curious about plastic surgery, visit Dr. Barone’s website to see what procedures she offers in addition to breast augmentations. She is trained in “awake” surgical technique for patients who feel uncomfortable with full sedation. Dr. Barone’s office is a state of the art plastic surgery center and features a spa facility, a laser center, an outpatient center for cosmetic surgeries, and rooms for treatment and recovery. Her patients enjoy a relaxing environment that allows them to discover their full potential. Don’t wait to start on your journey to a new you, your only regret will be that you didn’t start sooner!

Considering breast implants in San Antonio? Contact Dr. Constance Barone today to discuss your options. Simply call 210-614-0400, or visit https://www.baroneplasticsurgery.com/. Dr. Barone’s office is located at 9502 Huebner Road, Building 2, Suite 202, San Antonio, TX 78240. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.