The Feel of Silicone Gel, the Safety of Saline: IDEAL IMPLANT with Dr. Jonathan Heistein

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As a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fort Worth worth plastic surgeon Jonathan Heistein is part of an exclusive group of surgeons eligible to offer the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant to his patients pursuing a breast augmentation. In a recent interview, he discussed the benefits of this new, innovative structured implant.

What are the different breast implant options available?

“Over the years, breast implant technology has changed a little bit. The choice for many, many years was either the standard saline implants or the newer silicone gel implants. Now we have a third option, which bridges the gap and has some of the best properties of both worlds. The IDEAL IMPLANT is a structured implant and so it offers the ability for the implant to maintain its shape a little bit better than a saline implant would, yet has some of the better qualities of silicone gel in terms of it being softer and more natural feeling.”

How do you help your patients decide what type of implant is right for them?

“When a woman comes in for a breast augmentation consultation, in addition to discussing all of the pros and cons of each of the styles of implants, I allow them to feel each one, see each one, and see how each one looks on them. They are able to try them on. I present the data in an unbiased way, so that they can see what the literature says about the implants in terms of the rupture rate and contracture rate. It gives people who want to have that information a better understanding of what they are choosing.

“Many women come in unsure of the kind of implant that they want. Some have heard good things about silicone gel, and some have heard bad things about silicone gel. They may have preconceived notions about one of the other. But if I present them an unbiased opinion and give them the facts about each one of those, many women are now choosing the IDEAL IMPLANT as a viable option, which can give them some of the properties of a saline that make it better and some of the properties in silicone gel that make it better.”

What happens when a woman with silicone gel implants experiences a “silent rupture” and wants to change her implant type?

“In general, when a silicone gel implant ruptures, it can be problematic. But for women who don’t want to deal with the problem of not knowing that they’re ruptured, then a saline or a ‘structured implant’ might be a better choice. When there’s a ruptured implant and an exchange is planned, I don’t think that the style of implant going back in really has much of a change of the outcome. The majority of the operation, the hard part of operation, is making sure that all the implant, implant material, and sometimes scar tissue, is removed appropriately. But once that groundwork has been laid, the process of putting in that new implant is pretty straightforward.”

How do you help women determine the cup size that will best fit their body?

“Determining size is one of the most important things we do at the consultation for a breast augmentation, because that is ultimately what determines the outcome. First, I find out what each patient’s goals are. So if they’re a B cup bra, and they want to end up something like a D or a C, that can give me a basic idea of where we should start. The first thing I do is take some measurements. That’s important to understand the dimensionality of the implants, and how they’re going to look and function. It also allows me to help decide which implant might look most natural based on those dimensions. Once we’ve determined the dimensions and what would fit and what wouldn’t, I allow patients to try on the different sizes in a bra that we provide for them. They look in the mirror and see what they look like and feel what they look like. This way they can really see what they are getting into with each volume.”

Why do you like the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant?

“As a surgeon, the IDEAL IMPLANT offers some advantages over both saline and silicone gel. The biggest advantage is that it’s useful for women who worry about having a ‘silent rupture’ with a silicone gel implant. So the IDEAL IMPLANT, like saline implants, if there’s a rupture, it will deflate and you will know it right away. The other thing that’s very nice about the IDEAL IMPLANT is that it maintains the shape of the implant like a silicone gel implant would due to the structure that’s inside the implants. It combines the best of both worlds because there’s no risk of ‘silent rupture’ and there is no need for frequent MRIs. That’s also another added benefit that women like in choosing the IDEAL IMPLANT.”

What kind of response do you get from your patients that choose the IDEAL IMPLANT?

“I think that my patients that have come to the conclusion that the IDEAL IMPLANT is the right implant for them, are usually very comfortable and happy in their decision. Most of my patients, no matter what type of implant they use, are usually very happy with their breast augmentation outcome because I’ve involved them in the process of helping them decide how big they are and where the incision sites are going be. They have almost full control over deciding the outcome. My IDEAL IMPLANT patients seem to be very well informed and very happy with both their physical outcome and also their mental outcome as well.”

What is the recovery process after receiving a breast augmentation?

“The recovery process is fairly straightforward. If you take it easy and don’t try to over exert yourself or do more activity than is recommended, most often you will heal just fine. Problems can occur if you go back to activities too quickly or you pull or push something too heavy, then it might displace the implant or cause bleeding. The best advice is just to follow the directions that your surgeon gives you. Most of the time that’s going to be to limit your activity, use a compression bra or a sports bra, and to sometimes do some massage techniques which are shown to you usually at the first or second postoperative visit.”

What if a woman wants a breast lift and a breast augmentation?

“Some women come in and they have breasts sagging in addition to the fact that they want more volume. In those situations, I offer a breast lift at the same time as an augmentation. It does increase the complexity of the procedure a little bit, but it is convenient to be able to accomplish both of those goals at the same time. And so most often we do it that way. It changes the approach a little bit. The scarring is a little bit different, but it all depends on how much sagging and how much rejuvenation is necessary to determine the course of that. The surgery, when a breast lift is combined with an augmentation, is a little bit more complex than just having breast augmentation by itself. The cost is a little bit higher. The recovery is a little bit longer. But for most young, healthy patients without any other medical problems, the recovery period is quite simple and uncomplicated. It generally goes along without any hiccups.”

How do you address concerns about placement of the breast implant and potential scarring?

“In terms of whether I put the implants on top of the muscle or under the muscle, almost 100% of the time I recommend that women put an implant underneath the muscle. I think it offers some significant advantages and very, very few women are candidates for the other approach. Initially, in terms of some women who have already had implants put in on top of the muscle, if they come in for an exchange, for a new implant, many times in those situations, I’ll keep them in the position that they are. But for a primary breast augmentation, almost always I recommend that they go under the muscle.

“With relation to the approach and what scars to use to get that implant in, there are three main options. The underneath breast or the inframammary fold approach, that’s my most preferred and most common approach. Also the incision can be put around the areola on the underside of the areola, and that’s a viable approach. It has some advantages and some disadvantages, but certainly a useful technique when I’m already making an incision around the areola for another purpose. Then a third approach is in the armpit. It’s an option, but seemingly one that I probably use least often.”

What should women consider when searching out a plastic surgeon?

“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 else somebody in the healthcare field that knows which plastic surgeons are better than the others. I think asking for advice from people that have been down the same route is a great way to start. If you don’t have any of those options available, then looking at various websites like realself.com can give you some insights into the doctors in your area that are worth seeing.

“I think that many of my patients are referred to me by word of mouth from other patients of mine that have had good outcomes. I believe that’s a really good way to find out if your surgeon is reasonable, acceptable, and willing to work with you to achieve the goals and outcomes that you desire. My patients are typically very happy with their outcomes, mostly because I start off by educating them about the options, allowing them to help in the decision-making, and then giving them the operation that they are requesting. I’m lucky enough to have a great support staff that really helps our patients both before and after surgery, and become a valuable resource in that process to be able to answer questions and help with anything that might go on.”

Considering breast implants in Fort Worth, TX? Contact Dr. Jonathan Heistein today to discuss your options. Simply call 817-820-0000 or visit www.drheistein.com. Dr. Heistein’s office is located at 521 West Southlake Boulevard, Suite 175, Southlake, TX 76092. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.

The Advantages of the IDEAL IMPLANT: Dr. Adam Hamawy Discusses Structured Implants

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Do you want a breast implant that allows you to achieve a natural look and feel, similar to a silicone gel implant, but also comes with peace of mind of a saline implant? The IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant is a new, innovative choice available to women seeking the advantages, without the drawbacks, of those traditional types of breast implants. In a recent interview, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Adam Hamawy of Princeton, NJ, talked about this unique option.

What do you discuss with women that are considering a breast augmentation?

“I spend a lot of time with my patients. If someone’s coming in for a breast augmentation, they’re here for at least an hour. For the first part of it, we are just talking, seeing what you’re trying to achieve, where you’re at, what’s bothering you. But the next part is the education. I always like to talk about five decisions you need to make with the breast augmentation. We need to decide, is it just a breast implant that we’re looking after or do we also need to do a lift. We also talk about where we are going to put the incision, where we are going to put the implants, what size of implant, and what type of implant.

“Those are five things everyone has to decide, and in order to decide them properly, you need to be educated even if you think you’ve done all your online research. There are so many different things out there. Even if the patient has seen other surgeons, I like to cover everything to make sure we are complete. Once you have all that information, the pros and cons of each one of them, then you can make a proper decision.

“I always tell everybody, ‘You have a lot of tools, and you have to be able to use all these tools to get the best results.’ It’s usually not just one surgery or one technique or one device that will get you to your goals. And by being a plastic surgeon, I have access to all of these and can do a surgical procedure. I have access to different breast implants. We could do fat grafting in addition to implants. If we’re doing breasts, same thing with devices. I don’t have one device that does everything. That’s why I love being a plastic surgeon. We get to talk and tailor results, really tailor them, to what you actually need for your body and your goals.”

How do you help your patients decide on the type and size of breast implant that will be best for them?

“I have a silicone gel implant, I have a saline implant, and then I have the IDEAL IMPLANT. I give them those in each hand, and then say, ‘Feel this.’ Feeling it in your hands is one thing, having it behind your skin and your tissues is a completely different thing. So I apply something over them and say, ‘This is what it is going to feel like in your body.’

“As part of every visit, there is an examination. During the exam, I’m looking at a few things. I’m looking at dimensions, how wide the chest is, how wide each breast is. I’m looking at asymmetry. Everyone’s asymmetric, but some are more asymmetric than others. So if it is within physiological limits, where you can’t really tell unless you look closely, then we’re talking about putting the same size implants in.

“Also, we’re looking at how much skin and breast tissue we already have that you could cover an implant. So someone who is very thin with very little breast tissue, that will factor into our decisions like whether we are going to go over or under the muscle and what kind of implant we are going to place. We’re looking at your actual muscle there, that pectoral muscle. Some people are doing these really hard workouts in the gym, and we’re going to start considering going above the muscle rather than below. These are all individual things that we have to take into account when we are deciding what kind of implant to place and where to place it.

Some patients will choose one or the other based on how they feel. But if I give them all that information, then together we can make a decision, rather than me telling them, ‘This is what I want to do for you.’ We are making that decision together.”

What do you tell your patients about the IDEAL IMPLANT?

“I’ve been working with the IDEAL IMPLANT maybe two or three years. I came across it at a plastic surgery meeting, and they were talking about a better saline implant. Initially I said, ‘Well, who needs another saline implant when everyone’s going with silicone gel.’ But when you place them side-by-side, it’s definitely an option that fills in a gap.

“I tell everyone who’s coming in, if they’re worried about breast implants, ‘This is the most studied device that the FDA has ever looked at, more than anything else.’ But there’s still a certain sense of security when telling someone that we’re going to put in a saline implant that’s going to feel almost as good as the silicone gel, and also give the security of being able to know if it’s ruptured right away. So the IDEAL IMPLANT fills in that gap for people who are still worried about silicone gel, want a natural result, and don’t want the rippling that comes with a traditional saline implant. I tend to find that although most people are happy with traditional saline implants, it does have some issues with rippling and a little bit less natural look in some patients. I haven’t found that to be at all a problem with the IDEAL IMPLANT.

“Plus, the safety record that the IDEAL IMPLANT has so far has been excellent from what I’ve seen personally, as well as in the plastic surgery community.”

What is your advice to women after they receive a breast augmentation?

“Follow your recovery instructions, and follow up with your surgeon. Don’t disappear. Your body heals and changes over time, so I usually like to see people one week later, one month later, and three months later. Then an annual check up with your regular physician, as well as your plastic surgeon, is important as well. You should be doing your self-breast exams. You should be doing mammograms if you’ve reached that age where it’s recommended. You should be taking care of your breasts just like you would if you didn’t have implants.”

What are the potential complications women should be aware of following a breast augmentation?

“The most common complication we see with breast implants is mal-position; this is when one’s a little bit higher or a little bit lower than the other side, something called capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is basically a capsular around a breast, scar tissue that forms around the implant. Just like you can have a scar on the outside, you’re going to have a scar on the inside, and most of the time this is not something that you can see or feel. Everyone has that. But just like some people have poor scars on the outside, you can have a poor capsular on the inside, and that’s when there could be a problem. That’s when it could be a little bit tight, it could be a little bit painful, and it could often move the implant from where it’s at. So, if we notice that two or three months later, that the implant has shifted or there’s a tightness that shouldn’t be there versus the other side, that’s something that can often be fixed, either in the office or in the operating room. We remove the capsule and things are made normal again.”

What should women know about the possibility of implant rupture?

“If an implant ruptures, then we need to change that. One good thing about the IDEAL IMPLANT is that if it’s ruptured, you know right away. You’ll look like you have a deflated implant, a flat tire on one side. It’s filled with saline, and your body will absorb that. You go to your doctor, and he’ll schedule to have that removed.

“With silicone gel implants, it’s a little bit different. They can rupture, but it doesn’t go everywhere, it doesn’t go anywhere at all. What it tends to do is stay in that space. It might cause that capsule we were talking about to form a little bit harder, so it might feel a little bit different, it might look a little bit different, or might be a little bit painful. There’s nothing specific in that case. You actually have to get either an MRI or an ultrasound to confirm that there’s a rupture there.

“The newer silicone gel implants are a lot better than the earlier generation. So right now, if I have a ruptured silicone gel implant, it’s easy to take out. You go in there and pull it out, and there is very little residue that’s left over depending on how old it is. If you have a silicone gel implant that’s over ten years old, it’s a little bit more difficult, especially with the older generations. It could take sometimes hours to get all that leaked silicone gel out.

“Really the issue comes down to detection. Is it ruptured or not? You could have a fall or an accident, something feels different, and there’s a lot of worry that goes with that. Is it ruptured or not? And having a saline implant eliminates that. There’s really no question. I get women who say they have a saline implant, and they come in and say they are worried that it’s ruptured. I just look at it and I can tell them yes it is or it’s not. I don’t need anything more than that. With silicone gel implants, it does take more than that.”

What characteristics should women look for in a plastic surgeon?

“You want someone that is going to give you options, not someone that’s telling you, ‘This is what you have to do and that’s all I do, all the time. I just do silicone gel implants. Or I just do implants that go under the arm.’ If someone does just one thing, then they’re probably not tailoring it toward you. So one consideration is to see how many options they are giving you.

“Two, see how much you are being involved in the conversation. Are they actually sitting down with you, talking to you, giving you different choices and educating you so that you are coming to a decision together?

“And, three, I encourage people to shop around. I don’t think you need to see a million doctors, but I think maybe two or three. It gives you a sense of perspective and even if you like your first doctor more than anybody else. When you go to someone else, it’ll secure your decision and you’ll know, ‘I like that person, and now I know why.’ When people come and tell me I’m going to see a few more other people or I’m seeing someone else, I encourage that. It makes me secure that you’re a little bit more educated, that you know what’s out there, and what you are getting.

“So, go look around. Find a plastic surgeon that is board-certified. Find someone who offers the IDEAL IMPLANT, even though you might not want one. For example, if you wanted the silicone gel implant and you know you don’t want the IDEAL IMPLANT, well maybe it’s at least worth a feel. If they are giving you the choice, even if you don’t choose it, that’s a good thing. Look for choices, and make sure you are looking around at other doctors. Make sure you are comfortable. This is someone that you’re not just going to be seeing at the surgery, but afterwards. You want that relationship, that bond, to be there. That’s very important as well.”

Considering breast implants in Princeton? Contact Dr. Adam Hamawy today to discuss your options. Simply call 609-301-0760 or visit www.drhamawy.com. Dr. Hamawy’s office is located at 106 Stanhope Street, Princeton, NJ 08540. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.

Want a Breast Augmentation? Dr. Thomas Hubbard’s Patients Feel Confident about the IDEAL IMPLANT

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Did you know that there is a new type of breast implant available to those seeking a breast augmentation? Now women don’t have to only choose between saline or silicone gel implants. Dr. Thomas Hubbard, a plastic surgeon located in Virginia Beach, VA, and board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, discussed in a recent interview the differences and advantages of this new, innovative structured implant: IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.

Can you describe your practice and primary focus as a plastic surgeon?

“I’ve been in practice for 25 years now. Breast enhancement surgery has been a big interest of mine, and a large portion of my practice throughout my career. I’ve always had an emphasis on breast surgery. I joined a surgeon who developed possibly the most important technique in breast surgery – the ‘no-touch technique.’ I was with him almost six years. And with that technique, I’ve got my capsular contracture rate down one in many hundreds. But that’s not the only important thing with breast surgery, there are many parameters that need to be controlled, adjusted, and it’s all about pleasing the patient and getting what she wants.”

How do you help women beginning the breast augmentation process determine implant size, implant placement, and incision location?

“All of my implants are placed beneath the muscle. The advantages are numerous: lower rate of capsular contracture, quality mammograms, more natural appearance. I think with age it works out better in the long run as well. And then a recent study even showed that women with implants above the muscle, when they get breast cancer, it’s more advanced. There are so, so many advantages to going beneath the muscle.

“Regarding the choice about incision, most of mine are inframammary. I use a sleeve, whether I’m using saline or silicone gel, which helps with the capsular contracture rate being extremely low, but especially with silicone gel since it helps with the smaller incision in the inframammary area.

“For all my 25 years, I’ve been using sizing. We have several sets of sizers in the office, and a staff member spends plenty of time with each woman where she tries on different sizers in a bra with a top on, looking in the mirror, until she finds that look that she’s looking for. Now I tell her, ‘I don’t know whether that’s a Double D or a C. In fact, one company’s D is another company’s C. So, that really doesn’t matter. I want you to be comfortable with that look, you’ll find out later what the cup size is.’ We also have the Vector System 3D Imagery that we use. That’s a big advantage. It helps women preview the result. It’s nice to have the 3D imager because all of the implants, all the brands and types are programmed in. Sizing preoperatively is extremely valuable for getting those proportions that you want.”

How do you help women decide between traditional saline implants, silicone gel implants, and IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants?

“I have found that women choose, some with my help and some based on their friends, they choose an implant type and I really don’t see many regrets with the implant type. Maybe because they’ve made up their mind and they’re going to stick with whatever they’ve decided. Maybe because we have done a very good job of educating them about the pros and cons, and they’ve worked it through.

“There are some women who have made up their mind before they come in. I’m happy to go along with their choice. All my implants are smooth. I’ve never done the textured implants, so I don’t have to worry about the lymphoma that is related to textured implants. So if you want silicone gel, fine. If you want saline, that’s fine.

“Now, there is a sizable portion of women who have not made a decision and I’m happy to provide unbiased information. I tell them there is no implant that’s perfect and then I go on to describe the three types of implants – silicone gel, saline, and the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant. I talk about the pros and cons of all.

“I had practiced many years before silicone gel implants were available, so there was quite a big change when all the silicone gel became available for women age 22 and older. My experience with saline was so good that I didn’t necessarily go to pushing silicone gel, and I still don’t go to pushing silicone gel. I still feel a woman needs to know the pros and cons of all of them, and I’m not going to tell a woman that she needs to go to silicone gel for sure or saline for sure.

“Now some women are better candidates for silicone gel and some women are better candidates for saline. For example, if there is a woman who is 5’10”, 105 pounds, you can see her ribs with very little breast tissue, she’s a Double A or Triple A, I am actually going to suggest to her silicone gel. She has very little padding, so her whole breast is the implant. But a woman who is even a B or a C, even some As, that have enough tissue, they can enjoy the benefits of saline as well. But they need to make that decision.

“If I were to summarize women who are choosing the IDEAL IMPLANT, I’m going to say I think they get it. They get it because they are looking through a lot of hype, a lot of different opinions on the Internet, and they’re seeing that saline has the same happiness rate as silicone gel. There are some long-term benefits of a saline implant: lower capsular contracture rate, less concern over time, and no need to get MRI scans.

“So, in choosing the IDEAL IMPLANT, they get it. The IDEAL IMPLANT is less likely to get visible rippling. It has a more natural feel. And it’s going to have that extremely low capsular contracture rate, which with saline, one in hundreds and hundreds and hundreds gets capsular contracture.”

What if a woman is concerned about implant rupture or wrinkling?

“If you’re really worried about rupture, if it’s something causing your anxiety, if you’re going to find yourself worrying about the silicone gel and “Should I get the MRI?” or wonder if it’s ruptured, maybe you should be considering saline. And if you’re considering saline, look at the rupture rate of the IDEAL IMPLANT. If the leak rate is a concern to you, the IDEAL IMPLANT leak rate is not even half the rate of other implants. So that is a big advantage of the IDEAL IMPLANT.

“As far as rippling goes, I think rippling rates are greatly exaggerated. If you look at the actual studies on rippling rates, the rate is pretty low unless you’re really, really thin. But if it’s a concern and you’re going the saline route, then look at the benefits of the IDEAL IMPLANT as far as rippling rates go.”

Should a woman be concerned about implant rupture?

“I don’t think women that think it’s not a problem are completely informed about the situation. Yes, you can take a ‘gummy bear’ implant, slice it on a table, and really there doesn’t appear to be anything flowing. But then there is an implant that is under the muscle getting squeezed and smashed and squeezed and smashed all day long with all our daily activities. Things don’t stay that way, so the inside silicone gel does get out.

“And in fact, since very few women actually end up getting the MRI scans, there’s a growing number of plastic surgeons who are recommending that a woman just go ahead and switch out her silicone gel implants at 10 years. At that point you probably have about 8% leak rate and with an 8% leak rate, it’s probably time to switch it out and put new implants in.

“Now with silicone gel implants, you’ve got to think about cost. I do inform women that if they’re choosing the silicone gel route, it’s safe and a good implant, but think of long-term cost with the silicone gel as well. Also, there are many of us who believe that it can lead to a capsular contracture at a later time. Women need to consider that you’re not going to know when you have a rupture. A sign that your implant has had a rupture that could have happened years before, is that your breast has turned firm and hard. That’s a capsular contracture. We do everything we can to avoid a capsular contracture.”

How soon after surgery can women return to their regular exercise routines?

“I feel strongly about some recommendations I make. No exercise for three weeks. Why? This goes back to the capsular contracture rate. We want it one in hundreds and hundreds. We don’t want to see capsular contracture more than every few years. And that’s one, and that’s in my opinion, too many. We want it at almost zero.

“How do you do that? Well, a lot is on the surgeon with the technique. I change my gloves multiple times during surgery. I use a sleeve no matter what I do, and you can go on and on with that.

“After surgery though, some woman bring up that their friend did exercise at a week. Well, but up to three weeks you can have a little bit of bleeding. You may not know about the bleeding, but a little around the implant can increase your rate of capsular contracture. This is an investment for the rest of your life. You want it to go extremely well, so we do need to go three weeks without exercise.”

How do women typically feel about the outcome of their breast augmentation?

“I actually do research on satisfaction rates with breast surgery. This is one of the highest happiness rates of any operation out there. Yes, silicone gel and saline have the same happiness rate. It’s very high. So whether you go with silicone gel or saline, you’re likely going to be quite pleased. The bottom line is you’re probably going to be happy with your choice.”

Do you conduct any other research?

“I’m doing research on controlling the settling of implants. I think there are ways to control the settling of implants. Did you know that when a surgeon puts the implants in, they sit a little high initially? They look a little funny initially, since they sit too high. Then they drop for six to seven months. It’s so out of the control of surgeons as to what happens during that six to seven months. Where they’re going to go is where they’re going to go.”

What should women look for in a plastic surgeon?

“I think she needs to make sure that breast surgery is one of the primary focuses of the surgeon that she’s going to see a consultation with. Reputation is very important as well. That makes a big difference. I would pick a surgeon who is offering saline, silicone gel, and the IDEAL IMPLANT. And why is that? Because all women are different. All women have different goals. Why would a surgeon exclude a class of implants that have the same happiness rate. A surgeon should offer all three implants, because all women are different. Their goals are different, and I think it’s important.”

Considering breast implants in Virginia Beach? Contact Dr. Thomas Hubbard today to discuss your options. Simply call 757-687-1900 or visit www.hubbardplasticsurgery.com. Dr. Hubbard’s office is located at 329 Phillip Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23454. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.

What is a Structured Breast Implant? Dr. Steven Ringler Explains the IDEAL IMPLANT

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If you are considering a breast augmentation, it is important to know all your options. Dr. Steven Ringler, a board-certified plastic surgeon, helps his patients understand the different types of breast implants available. In a recent interview, Dr. Ringler outlined how the new IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants are different from saline or silicone gel implants.

Describe your practice and work experience as a plastic surgeon.

“My practice is totally dedicated to cosmetic or aesthetic surgery. I have been in plastic surgery for over 33 years. My practice is divided about a third facial cosmetic surgery, a third breast and cosmetic, and body contouring the remaining third. I see patients from our local community, but I also see patients from out of town. We have a beautiful facility, very private, with a great team of employees and staff to help patients make decisions about what’s best for them. My cosmetic practice patients are happy. They’re treated with respect. We’re good at listening and learning what patient’s goals and expectations are, and trying to meet those with procedures and treatments we have to offer.

“Many years ago, a patient asked me what I would do if it was my wife, and at that time, it was saline or silicone gel. I said saline without hesitating. I made a decision at that time, that I would specialize in saline breast augmentation because I thought it was a better option for women, and I don’t regret that decision. I’ve always done saline and silicone gel, because I’ve always made it a patient’s option. I think that it is important that the patients have options, and that’s why I like to offer options to patients – saline, silicone gel, and now the IDEAL IMPLANT. I think these are three great options for patients. I don’t think any patient that I see now can’t come up with a decision given those options.”

How do you help your patients achieve their goals?

“I try and manage expectations by getting a really clear understanding about what the patient’s goal is, and what their expectation is. Size is a big factor. We use computer imaging to help with that. We also use external sizers and clinical photographs to help with that. Patients will occasionally bring in photos that they think look good, that they’ve downloaded, and I’ll review those with them. I think the most important thing is that the patient has a pretty good understanding about what the size and shape of the breast is going to look like, and if they need a lift or they don’t need a lift. It’s really important that they understand that. I think that if you’re really good at communicating those points with the patient, and have a long conversation about it, they’re going to be happy with the result. I have a very high level of satisfaction in my patients. Very rarely do I have a patient coming back asking for something to be revised, unless they’ve had an issue with scar tissue or implant position, which is a risk of the surgery.”

How do you help women decide between traditional saline implants, silicone gel implants, and IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants?

“I think it’s really important, as a physician, to educate the patient. That’s part of the informed consent process. I think patients need to understand what their options are. It’s their body. They need to make the decision. That being said, I don’t feel that a ‘gummy bear’ implant is a good option really for anybody anymore, especially with the issues that are coming up with the ‘textured’ implants. I don’t use any ‘textured’ implants, and many of my colleagues have stopped using ‘textured’ implants because of concerns over long-term safety.

“If someone comes in asking for a silicone gel, and I think their physical dimensions are a good fit for the IDEAL IMPLANT, then I generally tell them why I think the IDEAL IMPLANT is as good. I let them feel the implant. I show them the differences between the implants, even the same size IDEAL IMPLANT sitting next to a silicone gel implant has a different shape. I explain to them why I think the shape is better, and then I show them clinical photos of patients with standard implants and the IDEAL IMPLANT. The uniform response is, ‘I like the IDEAL IMPLANT results better. Those look better.’ So it’s fairly easy for me to convince patients. They know I think it’s better. I tell them I have a very strong bias that way. But most patients, by the time I’m through discussing the differences, they pretty much agree with me.

“I still have patients that will end up choosing a traditional saline implant. I had one patient with a very broad chest, and as a result, I thought it would be a better fit for her. She wanted a very large implant. I was concerned that the IDEAL IMPLANT might have too narrow a base diameter. But then there are also patients who I recommend the IDEAL IMPLANT, and they make the decision. A lot of patients come in and they say, ‘Well, if you’ve been getting great results with traditional saline, and my girlfriends have saline, I’m good with that. I don’t see the advantages.’ I have others that say, ‘I want the latest, the greatest thing.’ They want the IDEAL IMPLANT. And I do get good results with both. So it’s a little bit of a unique situation for me to come up with a reason why I should switch. But now that I’ve seen the clinical results, I tend to recommend the IDEAL IMPLANT over traditional saline, if all other things are equal.”

Why do you like IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants?

“As soon as the IDEAL IMPLANT became commercially available, I began using the product. It’s a great advancement because it’s really the best design change that I’ve seen in implants throughout my entire career, especially being a big fan of saline implants.

“I’ve done a little over 50 patients with the IDEAL IMPLANT. When I first started using them, my staff that uploads my photos, they started telling me I was getting better results. I always thought I had pretty good results all along, so to find out from my employees that the IDEAL IMPLANT results were better, I started looking at them, comparing them to my saline breast augmentation that I thought were pretty good. But I think what I’ve really noticed with the IDEAL IMPLANT, is I think the shape of the breast is quite a bit better. Patients have had a very high level of satisfaction. I’ve not had anybody come back saying that they weren’t happy with the IDEAL IMPLANT. And now, I’m getting many patients coming in who have heard about the IDEAL IMPLANT. They’ve seen them online. They’ve heard from other patients. They’re starting to ask for the IDEAL IMPLANT by name.

“I like the shape of the IDEAL IMPLANT. I think the clinical results are better, especially in women who have very little breast tissue and have lost a lot of breast volume. Even with a silicone gel or traditional saline, I don’t think I get as good a shape in those patients as I’ve been seeing with the IDEAL IMPLANT. So that’s been very important to me.”

How do you educate women about the advantages and disadvantages between a saline implant and a silicone gel implant?

“When I’m talking to patients about implants, I always talk about silicone gel also. If it’s a silicone gel implant, I tell them that many surgeons are recommending replacement every 10 to 15 years. I also tell them the issues about requiring an MRI. With a traditional saline or the IDEAL IMPLANT, I tell them my 20-year data is 1.8% deflation rate. [Note: For the IDEAL IMPLANT, the seven-year data shows a 1.8% deflation rate.] So I’m an optimist, 98% don’t leak. If the implant doesn’t leak, and they’re not having problems with implant position, there’s no reason to replace the implant. Nobody can guarantee that the implants are going to last their whole life, but I have patients who’ve had saline implants in for 30 years and are doing just fine. At that point, there’s no reason to replace them, unless they’re having an issue. Maybe later in life their breast volume will change, they’ll want a smaller implant or a bigger implant. That’s a possibility. There’s not a long-term necessity to change the saline implant if they’re not having problems.

“Clearly I like the advantages of saline over silicone gel. I like the safety of saline over silicone gel. I don’t think that women are going to get MRI’s every three or four years to monitor their silicone gel implants. I’ve taken out hundreds of ruptured silicone gel implants during my career. It’s a big operation, removing the silicone gel. If I never see another silicone gel implant related problem, I’d be very happy.

“With the saline implant, if it leaks, it’s a very easy thing to change. There’s minimal downtime, and it’s minimal inconvenience to the patient. A saline implant is not subject to monitoring. They come in for an exam, they look at themselves in the mirror, and they can tell if their implant is leaking. I do think that the double-lumen of the IDEAL IMPLANT is nice because it’s never going to totally deflate. Patients don’t have to worry about that. It’s still going to maintain roughly 60% of its volume, even if the outer shell leaks. That seems to be reassuring to some patients. Overall, I’ve just been very happy and find myself more enthusiastic about the IDEAL IMPLANT. As I use the IDEAL IMPLANT, the long-term results I’ve been seeing, they feel natural. I can’t tell the difference between the IDEAL IMPLANT and a silicone gel implant when I examine the patient. I have to look at their chart to know what they have in.”

How do you help your patients determine an incision location and the placement of the implant?

“I see a lot of patients specifically because they want a transaxillary approach. I feel that I can get an optimal result, without a breast scar. This is a cosmetic operation. I don’t see why we should ever put a scar on the breast if we don’t have to. I see patients back for other procedures or for long-term follow up, and I can’t even find their axillary scar. They’re thrilled with that.

“There are some situations, due to the patient’s anatomy or personal preference, where they want an incision in the breast fold. I’m certainly qualified to do it that way, but I just don’t see any advantage, for the majority of patients, to have a scar on their breast. With the IDEAL IMPLANT, I’ve not had any issues using them through the armpit. I know there are some other surgeons in the country that are doing it that way. I actually find it goes really smoothly.

“For patients who need a lift, and we’re talking about an implant, and I’m going to use the IDEAL IMPLANT, I still as a general rule put the implant in from underneath the arm because I feel like I get better muscle coverage of the implant, and I don’t expose the implant to the breast tissue. Many surgeons believe that this is somehow protective, whether it’s low-grade bacteria or what’s called biofilm that might be from exposing the implant by inserting it through a breast incision. That may be reduced. I looked at my long-term data with saline implants, and have had extremely low incidence of capsular contracture. I’ve always attributed that to the transaxillary approach. I can’t prove that because I don’t have a double blind study, but I think many surgeons in the community feel that that does protect the implant, so I still use that approach, even when I’m doing a lift.

“Also, I almost always put an implant underneath muscle. I do only in a very rare situation where the patient insists that it be in front of the muscle, and then it’s a much longer conversation because it’s a higher rate of capsular contracture. I don’t think the results look as natural. I’ve never put the IDEAL IMPLANT or saline implant in front of the muscle. I’ve only used silicone gel in front of the muscle, and that goes back to my earlier career. I don’t really look forward to doing that again, unless a patient really had a unique situation. I think in the last 10 years, I’ve done that once where the patient had insisted on it.”

What should women consider when they are researching plastic surgeons?

“I think the most important thing that any woman can do that is interested in breast augmentation, start by seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon that has extensive experience in aesthetic breast surgery and offers patients options, whether it’s silicone gel, traditional saline, or the IDEAL IMPLANT. They have options and experience to really address patients concerns and meet their needs. That’s the best way to have a good outcome for the surgery, and minimize any risks.”

Considering breast implants in Grand Rapids? Contact Dr. Steven Ringler today to discuss your options. Simply call 616-328-8800 or visit  www.stevenringlermd.com. Dr. Ringler’s office is located at 1151 East Paris Avenue SE, #200, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.

Breast Surgery Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sophie Bartsich on Breast Implants and the IDEAL IMPLANT

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Ask Dr. Sophie Bartsich why she chose to become a plastic surgeon and she’ll tell you it’s because it unites everything she likes to do: medicine, surgery, working with her hands, and art. Dr. Bartsich practices in New York City, where she aims to restore form and function for each of her patients while seeking an intuitive balance. She is recognized by her patients as a kind, caring doctor who is passionate about her work.

What is unique about your practice compared to others in the New York area?

“I really feel like aesthetic surgery should be a ‘fake out.’ You should not know that someone had work done, it should just look natural. The majority of my patients are looking for something natural, low maintenance, low worry, and very high impact. They don’t want other people knowing exactly what they did, they just want to look and feel great. I try and give that to my patients. During a consultation, I also give my patients a lot of information because I want them to be educated about their choices. I have a very information-driven and natural result-driven practice, and I don’t think that represents most other plastic surgeons.”

Why did you become interested in breast surgery in particular?

“As a resident in training, my program was in the 99th percentile for breast surgeries. I didn’t even realize that that was unique to our program, so for a very long time I thought breast surgery was 60, 70 percent of all plastic surgery. It never occurred to me that it wasn’t! I became very well trained in breast surgery, but it’s also something that I just responded to. I think every surgeon has their tissue, and every surgeon has their body area, and they just respond to some and not to others. I just instinctively responded to breast surgery.”

How is your approach to breast surgery different from other plastic surgeons?

“Whether it’s reconstruction or cosmetic, I think there are a lot of things that you can make unique within breast surgery. There are a lot of ways you can technically approach things that limit post operative pain. I think it’s really important that the nipple be shaped exactly right, instead of considering it as an afterthought. It’s the focus of the whole breast.

“I put a lot of emphasis on symmetry and balance. I think as a woman, I can understand things that maybe a male surgeon might not. For instance, if you go to buy a bikini and you have to purchase two really expensive separate pieces because you can’t just buy a set, it’s really annoying. To me, that defines you not being balanced. If you were balanced, you could buy a set. Balance and harmony are really, really important to me. My goal with each patient is to find that balance.

“The breast tissue is also a tissue I’m very familiar with and comfortable operating on. I enjoy performing breast surgery because it’s a very high reward for my patients and a very high reward for me. I believe it’s important to listen to my patients and understand what they want, and then apply some very basic principles of aesthetics and balance. When you do that, I think you get a great result.

“The other thing I really love about breast surgery is it’s ‘undercover difficult,’ and I like things that are undercover difficult. It might seem really easy to take an implant and pop it in. Any surgeon could take an implant and pop it in. But it’s actually very challenging to get just the right size, just the right shape, and put it in just the right place. It’s very deceptive, because it sounds easy. Everyone knows that a rhinoplasty is difficult, they know that doing a nose is hard and every little thing shows and everyone sort of sweats it out when they’re going to do a nose.

“When it comes to breasts, I think a lot of people are like, ‘Eh, that’s no problem,’ and they send their patients home with a bunch of sizes. They tell them to choose one and they pop it in and they just expect it to be fabulous and it’s not like that at all. You have to understand a lot of things about how tissues reacts, how much breast tissue you have, how stretched it is, babies, no babies, future plans, level of activity, etc. I think there’s so much that goes into it. It takes a certain level of intuition and experience and it’s actually really hard to get a great outcome. If you really know what you’re doing you can get a great result with the satisfaction that what you did was difficult.”

Has the selection of breast implants changed over time? What is your experience with silicone gel and traditional saline implants vs. IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants?

“I’ve never really liked traditional saline implants. For me, the natural look is very important and I found it very difficult to get it with those implants. The way traditional saline implants feel has also been a problem for me and my patients. It doesn’t feel natural. I always had a bit of a hesitation with silicone gel implants, because once you’ve cleaned up a few ruptures, you get a little nervous about it. But the look and feel was so great, and so disproportionately better that I felt like it tipped the balance.

“So, for a really long time I was very pro-silicone gel. I never really subscribed to the form-stable implants that much. To me they felt a little too firm. I also really didn’t like the idea of them rotating. I don’t like having the potential for an additional complication in an elective procedure on a young, healthy person. I felt that was an unnecessary added risk. The textured implants also made me a little bit uneasy. I was never that into using them. When the overfilled silicone gel implants came out, I liked them because they gave women a little more upper pole fullness.

“Most women who are getting a breast augmentation want to finally wear something that’s low-necked that shows off their cleavage. I mean, that’s the whole point. You don’t want to overdo it, but you need something there or there’s nothing to show. I always felt like the silicone gel implants sagged a little and the form-stable ones were skinnier up top, which is exactly where you want more.

“In addition to that, in the last couple years I’ve had several patients who’ve had MRIs done because there was a question about their existing silicone gel implant. I’ve found that sometimes MRIs are not actually very reliable. In some instances, a patient’s MRI said the silicone gel implant had ruptured, and then when I went in to operate on it, it actually hadn’t. I’ve had one or two patients where an MRI showed the implant wasn’t ruptured, but based on my clinical exam I really thought there was a concern, so I went in and it turned out it was ruptured.

“I became frustrated with the constant monitoring of the silicone gel implants, but they looked and felt good so I just dealt with whatever other issues came up. I wanted an option for my patients that felt psychologically and physically healthier and didn’t have these other concerns or challenges attached to them

“When I found IDEAL IMPLANT, I was very excited about it. I remember thinking, ‘If it looks and feels even half as good as silicone gel, I’m probably going to to try it because I think my patients will respond to that. Plus it will make management and monitoring easier and calm a lot of my concerns.’ So I did a few IDEAL IMPLANT cases and my patients were very happy. Then I did a few more and those patients were also very satisfied. When a patient comes in and I discuss all their implant choices, they’re excited to see that there’s something like that. People like the structure, the stability of the shape, and the feel. I’ve had no one complain it didn’t feel normal or natural. The IDEAL IMPLANT has been a very welcome addition to both my practice and my patients.”

What kind of changes have you seen in the last few years of what women want or expect out of breast surgery?

“I’ve seen changes in both the patients and the surgeons, but I’ve seen more changes in the patients. When I was in training, we were taught the most frequent complaint among patients after breast augmentation was, ‘I should’ve gone bigger.’ I think this was very much the teaching a while ago. A lot of the surgeons in practice who are maybe five or ten years ahead of me still have that sort of indoctrinated. So, there was a time when surgeons were putting in as big an implant as they could because they really didn’t want the patient to come back and say, ‘I wish I had gone bigger.’ I think those days are over. Celebrity trends and general lifestyle trends are moving more and more towards the natural look. People are getting plastic surgery earlier on but they’re doing less drastic things. I tell my patients, ‘Listen, no one will know they’re fake unless you feel like showing them,’ and they really like that.

“In my personal opinion as a woman, there’s also a fine line between wanting to be noticed, but not necessarily wanting too much attention. Most women don’t want to walk around broadcasting that they had a breast augmentation. They want to look good in a dress, they want to look good in a T-shirt and jeans. It’s not just about the bikini. They want to feel comfortable. They don’t want to wear an orthopedic device which calls itself a brassiere, because that’s sort of the point we’re at with underwear now. Women are doing this for themselves, they’re not doing this for other people. I think sometimes that also gets misunderstood.”

“Today’s patient is very educated, very sophisticated. There’s also a lot of concern about health.
In the last couple of years, my patients have become more concerned about silicone gel in particular. More and more people are coming in and saying, ‘I really don’t like the idea of silicone gel in my body.’ Patients have access to information on a scale that never existed before. Things are very different than they were ten years ago. If there’s a potential problem or complication a patient is worried about, they will look it up and find out more about it. Women in today’s world want to have peace of mind. These are women who are working and have children and have lives and marriages and households, and the last thing they need is something else to worry about and monitor all of the time.”

How do you help women determine the best size of breast implants for them?

“That’s an important question, because the way most people think about size is A, B, C, D. Those are not exact measurements. The sizing system for bras is actually not anatomic. It’s not based on anything real. Most people have no idea where these sizes even came from. In actuality, bra sizes are a leftover of the old school corset sizing system.

“All your cup size really measures is your projection, or how far from the chest wall your breast goes. If you are narrow and short breasted and perky, you might go pretty far out of the chest wall and have a tiny little breast. If you are wide and high and saggy, and things are sort of all over the place, you might go that same distance from the chest wall and measure the same letter but be five times bigger breasted. That’s why those sizes don’t really mean much.

“A patient might come in and say, ‘Well, I’m a B and I want to be a C,’ or, ‘I don’t want to be a D.’ The first thing I have to dispel is the fact that those letters are actually anything to hold onto. I know what they mean when they say that, and it’s sort of a guide and a concept, but it’s not a measurement. The most important measurement of the breast is its width. Unless the fit model has the same width breast as you, the foundation of the bra is wrong and you’re just trying to squeeze things either narrower or wider depending on how things measure out. So the most important thing is that the implant has to be the same width as the breast. It’s like a foot in a shoe. If you go into to a shoe store and you just pick whatever shoe you think looks nice but you don’t actually pay any attention to size, it’s not going to fit.

“A lot of my breast augmentation patients will show me a picture and say, ‘I really don’t like this,’ and the first thing I say is, ‘It’s not the implant’s fault.’ With implants, (in terms of size), there’s sort of a range. I tell all my patients, ‘There’s a range that will fit you. There is some wiggle room within that range, and you can go on the lower end or the higher end.’ Once you know what that range is, then the patient can give you feedback. Patients can tell you they want to be higher up or lower down within that range. Sometimes people will come in and say, you know, ‘I’m getting married in six months and I want to look classy in my wedding dress. I want to fill it out and not have to worry that I’m not wearing a bra, but I don’t want it to be weird.’

“I understand a woman’s perspective. I know what having breasts means and how the world responds to your breasts and how you feel about your breasts and how you wear them. Because, basically, you wear them. Breast implants are just like anything else you wear. If they’re sized right and proportionate and fit your lifestyle, then they’re going to work great and enhance everything and make you feel awesome. Size is important and the patient can give you guidance, but they can’t pick it because it has to be chosen with training.”

Do you have a preference on placement of breast surgery incisions? What do you say to women who are concerned about scarring?

“A lot of plastic surgeons like to use the trans-axillary technique for breast augmentation. That places the incision in the armpit (axilla). I don’t like that approach. I never really understood why anybody would think the armpit was hidden on a woman. If you go to a black tie dinner, your armpit’s open. It’s not just on the beach or in the shower. It’s shaved and it’s open and everyone can see it. The minute you reach to get your champagne glass, everyone’s going to see it. So that’s not hidden, and if it doesn’t turn out well, you’re stuck with a scar on your armpit. On top of which, technically it’s a difficult surgical approach. So I never really understood the benefit of that either. It makes the surgery much more difficult for a potential scar in a really bad place.

“I also don’t like to make incisions around the nipple, because the areola transitions to skin as a fading rather than a definite line. I’ve done a lot of research on the bacteria that live in the breast. Many people don’t know that bacteria can cause you to get infections when you’re nursing. They’re all in the ducts and they all converge on the nipple where all the ducts meet. So if you do that approach, you’re potentially contaminating the implant and you have a higher risk of contractures. You also have less area to work with, and what if the breast tissue that you just went right through doesn’t line back up again? Now you have an additional problem.

“In my professional opinion, the incision under the fold, or the inframammary approach, makes the most sense. Even if you don’t have a fold, once you have a breast augmentation you’re going to have a fold. That, to me, is the most hidden spot. When my patients come in for post op, for me to see the scar they have to be completely undressed and lift their breast for me. If they’re just standing there, I don’t see it. If my patients have an issue with the scar, that’s about as hidden as you’re going to get. It’s also an area that lends itself to revision if you ever have to cut the scar out for some reason, which is really not very common. You can do that in that spot, but you can’t do it around the nipple. I prefer to make my incisions under the fold. You have the most visibility during the surgery, you have the most control over the surgical field, and the scar is as hidden as you’re going to get.”

What specifically do you like about IDEAL IMPLANT?

“I don’t want to do anything to someone else I wouldn’t want done to myself. I think a lot of the implants I’ve used in the past gave me excellent results, patients were happy, I think that they’re still very reasonable alternatives to use, and I still offer them to my patients. But when I first started using IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants, I thought to myself, ‘I’m sure there’s going to be a couple of patients who just really like the idea of this,’ but I was shocked at just how many patients started requesting it once I introduced it to my practice.

Since I started using IDEAL IMPLANT, I’ve had almost no patients choose anything else. That’s not because I’m pushing one implant over the other, and it’s not because I say to them, ‘Well, this is the one that I want you to use, and also there’s this other stuff.’ I don’t think that’s fair. I think that silicone gel implants are still fine and I’ve gotten amazing results for years. I’ve had many patients in the past who have chosen silicone gel that are happy, they like the feel, they like the look. But, I think there’s something IDEAL IMPLANT offers that I’m responding to and that my patients are responding to.

“So, for me, IDEAL IMPLANT has been a very welcome addition to my practice, and for my patients it’s been wonderful. I’ll tell some of my existing patients who need a revision for whatever reason, ‘Two years ago I didn’t have this option, but just so that you know, this is a new implant I’ve been working with,’ and the majority of them say, ‘Oh, I think I want that instead, I like the idea of that.’

“Also I’ve had a lot of patients who come to me who’ve had silicone gel implants placed many, many years ago and they’re sort of at a loss of what to do. These patients will say, ‘Some people say I should take them out, and some people say leave them alone, and it’s been 15 years. What do I do?’ I’ve had some changes in my approach to that question as well. Now I’m leaning towards the opinion that after a certain amount of time maybe that patient should think about switching them out.

“A lot of those patients say to me, ‘If I’m going to do it, now that I have another option, I think I might actually do it with IDEAL IMPLANT instead. I just don’t want to have to worry about these things again, and it’s really challenging to monitor something all the time. Since we’re going back, let’s just go to something simpler.’ The results have been great and the patient satisfaction is very high. Overall, IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants are a wonderful addition to my practice.”

Considering breast implants in New York City? Contact Dr. Sophie Bartsich today to discuss your options. Simply call 516-773-9200 or visit www.doctorsophie.com. Dr. Bartsich’s office is located at 960 Park Avenue, New York City, NY 10028. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.

A Chat With Alexandria Plastic Surgeon Dr. Eric Desman About Breast Enhancement Surgery and the IDEAL IMPLANT

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Dr. Eric Desman has been providing highly personalized care to residents in the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., areas since he opened the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery in 1999. He greatly enjoys getting to know his patients and building an ongoing relationship with them. Dr. Desman’s practice is focused on body contouring procedures such as breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction.

Why should patients choose your practice over other options in the area?

“At the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery, we help our patients achieve a natural and not overdone look. I help each individual figure out what that means for them, and I do my best to help them achieve their plastic surgery goals.”

Have you seen any changes or trends when it comes to breast implants?

“In general, people are much more educated about breast augmentation and what goals are attainable. Patients get a lot of information from the internet. There’s pretty good information out there, but my job during your consultation is to find out what’s important for you specifically so you can make a good decision for yourself.”

What is your approach to helping women pick the right breast implant size?

“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 2 or 3 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. Some women who want a certain breast implant size have enough breast tissue to achieve that size and some don’t. Taking these measurements gives us the ability to pick the best type and size of implants for your body. We spend a lot of time prior to surgery trying to pinpoint your desired outcome post-procedure. As a surgeon, I can tell by looking at your body frame and looking at a volume number what we can expect in the range of cup size. Since there is no such thing as a standard cup size, most women are after kind of a full C, small D range. 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.”

What should women know before choosing a plastic surgeon?

“You’ve got to look at the surgeon’s years of experience. You should also take into account how their office staff responds to you, because that is almost always a reflection of the doctor. Throughout the course of your surgery, you will sometimes have as much contact with the office staff as with the doctor in the day-to-day visits. So if the office staff treats you well, that’s a good sign. Then once you make it into the office, think about how closely you feel you’re being listened to. Some of it is a little bit of a gut instinct, a gut feeling to make sure that the practice and the surgeon are a good fit for you personally.”

Can you talk to us about placement of the breast implants? Is above or below the muscle better?

“With a breast augmentation surgery, there are two basic choices of where to put the implant. One is above the muscle and one is mostly below the muscle. The very bottom part of the implant is typically not below the muscle, but the upper two-thirds to three-quarters of the implant are covered by the muscle. I like to go below the muscle as there’s a little bit more of a natural feel to the touch. Mammograms are also easier to read if the implant is under the muscle. So most women choose to go underneath the muscle and typically that’s my recommendation unless there’s any special extenuating circumstances that would indicate a need to go above the muscle. Depending upon what type of implant you choose, you have a lot of options on placement of the incisions. I discuss that with my patients throughout the whole process so we’re on the same page.”

How can women speed along the healing process after breast surgery?

“One of the things that we do at the Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery that has been very successful over the past 15 years is a rapid recovery approach to breast augmentation surgery. This rapid recovery approach allows most women to get back to normal activities, (sore but functional), 24 to 48 hours after surgery. There are three things that allow us to get most women back to normal activities very quickly after surgery:

  1. We pick the right implant for your body.
  2. We use a meticulous surgical technique that allows very little bleeding which helps the recovery process.
  3. We ask the patient to come in and complete arm stretches after surgery which will also help hasten her recovery.

“My approach to rapid recovery breast augmentation means there are no special bras or narcotics needed after surgery. You can get into the shower the night of your procedure and women love it because they can get back on their feet very quickly.”

What can you tell us about silent rupture in breast implants?

“Breast implants are man-made devices. They’re not lifetime devices. So every implant, in my opinion, eventually will leak or rupture. 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. With IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants, it’s easy to detect a leak because the breast will just start to get a little bit smaller as the saline leaks out. If that does happen, then it’s a fairly straightforward operation to replace that implant.”

What do you like about the IDEAL IMPLANT?

“From a surgeon’s perspective, I like the IDEAL IMPLANT because they have a fill range and 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.”

What do your patients think about the IDEAL IMPLANT?

“We’ve been using IDEAL IMPLANT for almost a year now, and my patients have been very happy with the results. They’ve been very satisfied with their look, and it’s equalled or exceeded their expectations. With IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants, I see this trend continuing for a long time.

Considering breast implants in Alexandria, VA? Contact Dr. Eric Desman today to discuss your options. Simply call 703-982-7106 or visit www.vcps.com. Dr. Desman’s office is located at 6355 Walker Lane, Suite 510 Alexandria, VA 22310. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.

Breast Augmentation Questions Answered By Dr. Placik

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Dr. Otto Placik is a board-certified plastic surgeon with offices in Chicago and Arlington Heights, Illinois. Dr. Placik has performed hundreds of procedures over the years, with primary breast augmentation being one of the most popular. We sat down with Dr. Placik and asked him about his experience as a surgeon as well as his opinion about the newest implant technology, the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant.

Picking a Breast Implant

Do your patients come in requesting certain types of implants?

“So many people have resources available to them online before they even come in. It’s not unusual for patients to come in saying, “I want silicone under the muscle through a crease incision with a lift,” or, “I want the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant and I see that you’re listed on the website and so I chose you because of that reason.”

What advice do you give women who are trying to decide what size implant they want?

“We try to devote a large amount of the consultation to sizing, but ultimately, it’s very important for them to go home and discuss this with family, to reconsider everything, and come back for a second consultation and to do a more formal sizing appointment. There’s a lot of information given and it’s not unusual that most of the patients will be in our office for two hours for the first visit, which can be exhausting. We want them to let everything percolate in, and think about it for a while. We don’t want anybody making a rush decision.

“One of the most common reasons we know for reoperations is the desire to go larger. Unfortunately, that’s true with patients who choose very small implants and patients who choose what would conventionally be considered very large implants. We have patients who choose implants that range 150[cc] come back and say, “I want to be larger and be 200[cc],” but we also have patients who have some of the largest implants available, which are around 800[cc], 850cc and say that they want to be larger. We try to guide them and let them know that size is one of the most important considerations for reoperations. We generally will encourage them to go larger, but we want to respect their goals and their aesthetic ideal. There are a lot of different options available for sizing and we sometimes want them to try the implants on, do the rice test, do a saline test and wear that size for a little while at home just to get comfortable with it.”

What factors contribute to breast implant cost?

“There are so many factors that go into that. I really want patients to feel comfortable with the prices that we charge before they come in. It’s very common for someone to say, “My breast sizes are even.” Then we measure them and they aren’t even. That means interventions have to be undertaken that will the increase the costs. It may necessitate sizers, different sized implants, or different style implants. It takes more time during surgery and there will, of course, be additional cost. Traditionally speaking, I will tell patients that the vast majority of breast augmentation will be in the $6-8,000 range, but it rarely is less than that. It can sometimes be higher than that depending on what needs to be done, which can include lifts or adjustments such as liposuction or fat transfer.

“There are people who do breast augmentations for less and I urge patients to be very cautious about those lower cost providers. Make sure that they’re board-certified, that they’re doing them in an accredited facility, that you’re being seen by the physician before surgery rather than the patient screen, and that you’re getting good quality implants. Unfortunately, people are using what we call “gray market implants” that are not warrantied. It’s also important to really feel comfortable with your surgeon and the person who’s going to be doing that procedure, and often times the lower cost providers will not allow you to meet the surgeons on the day of surgery.”

Why do you like the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant?

“What I like about the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant is that patients who are reluctant to have silicone gel breast implants can have peace of mind. They can have an implant that provides an aesthetic result that’s comparable to silicone gel without having the anxiety of worrying about the maintenance of silicone gel or the potential risk of silent rupture. I can also give my patients reassurance about the long term complication rates, which are lower when compared to either saline or silicone gel.”

Are your patients satisfied after getting the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant?

“The patient satisfaction is high. These are patients who are interested in the procedure and have done their fair share of reading background studies and research. They’re educated and informed, and I think that gives them a lot of peace of mind in the recovery process, and long-term they feel much more comfortable.”

Breast Implant Surgery and Recovery

What do your patients need to know about scarring?

“Scarring is related to both the placement of the incision as well as a person’s own natural wound healing tendencies. I often times will tell patients that their scar is 50% my skill and 50% their response to my injury. When we go with the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant,  we can use a smaller incision. We can use an incision that is almost half the size of what would be required for a comparable sized silicone gel when we use the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant.”

What can you tell us about silent ruptures in silicone gel implants?

“They call silent ruptures ‘silent’ for a reason. The advantage of the silicone gel implants nowadays is it’s a more cohesive gel that sticks together. The disadvantage is when it ruptures, you don’t know that. MRI’s are not necessarily accurate, even though that’s the best non-invasive test we have. And, unfortunately, that test can be very expensive and not provide us with a 100% result. Then we don’t know about the silicone rupture until we go in during a surgery.

“It’s not unusual for me to have to go into somebody for reasons other than rupture, and then we find that coincidentally there was a silent rupture. When we have a silent rupture it changes the scope of the procedure as we go from what would be considered just capsulotomy to a capsulectomy, which is a much more extensive procedure and no one wants to be caught by surprise with it. When we’re talking about primary breast augmentation, these surgeries are not covered by insurance unless you have some very good insurance coverage.”

What should women know about the recovery process in order to get the best results?

“I think knowing about the process ahead of time makes the recovery a lot easier. There are things that we’ve learned over time that any good practitioner knows, which is what we call a rapid recovery process. I have meticulous inter-operative attention to detail, trying to minimize injury. Then, we involve the patient in the recovery process, meaning that we want them to get active and moving.

“In the past, we used to bind people up and not have them move their arms. We found through time that when we get them moving sooner, the recovery is much faster. I provide my patients with a lot of  instructional brochures beforehand and can have them watch this on YouTube as well. I also have an app where people can time their exercises throughout the day. I think getting them involved, having a plan, and knowing what to expect definitely help the recovery process.”

Considering breast implants in Chicago? Contact Dr. Otto Placik today to discuss your options. Simply call 847-398-1660 or visit www.bodysculptor.com. Dr. Placik’’s office is located at 880 West Central Road, #3100, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.

What Makes the IDEAL IMPLANT Unique? Dr. Paul Leahy Explains

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What makes IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants different from traditional saline or silicone gel implants? Dr. Paul Leahy, a board-certified plastic surgeon located in Kansas City, KS, discussed these three options and more about the breast augmentation process in a recent interview.

Describe your practice and what procedures you offer?

“I am one of currently five plastic surgeons in our group here in Leawood, Kansas, called Monarch Plastic Surgery. It has a lot of history to it. It’s been around for coming up on 25 years. Some of the core members are still part of our practice, so I really enjoy being able to walk down the hallway and say to one of my partners, ‘Hey, look at this case. What do you think about this?’ I can bounce ideas off them, and we really enjoy the collegial atmosphere that we have at Monarch.

“We have a full service range of things that we do, ranging from breast surgery of all kinds. We do a lot of breast cancer reconstruction in our practice, which helps me get a lot of experience using different kinds of breast implants. We do a lot of breast reduction surgery, and certainly a lot of cosmetic breast surgery as well. That’s where my focus is. I’d say the biggest focus in my practice is any kind of breast surgery involving plastic surgery. I really enjoy the cosmetic component but also the reconstructive breast surgery that we do for people that have had breast disease.”

What can your patients expect throughout the breast augmentation process?

“We have several choices and decisions to make together as a team. There are a few things you have to decide as a patient, and first is what incision you’d like to use. The most common incision is directly underneath the breasts in the crease there. It seems very reproducible and controllable, as opposed to, for example, going around the nipple or in the armpit. I usually highly direct patients to that incision. I think it works well.

“Then we have to decide if we should go above the muscle or underneath the muscle in the chest. I think the vast majority of people, at least in our practice here in Kansas City and the midwest area, are going underneath the muscle. There are a couple of situations in which going above the muscle might be useful. But by in large, I think for most people, the implants tend to do a little bit better and look a little more natural underneath the muscle. I present things that way, and then we can make a decision about that.

“Then the last choice comes down to what implant we’re going to use. I like to have a series of different companies, styles, and implants available, and just take a look. I’ll try to give you the pros and cons, and talk you through the advantages and disadvantages. We have a huge range of implants here. We take a non-padded sports bra, and play with the different sizes. I insist that they come in at least twice to do this. I don’t want them to just pick one size and that’s it. I like for them to confirm at a second appointment, after they’ve been able to think about it and bring in different clothing. I really feel strongly about doing that, and even then, it’s hard to know exactly how this is going to look. How are my clothes going to fit? What cup size am I going to be? Those are all questions that are so hard to answer. I really focus on how do you like how this looks. We put a tight fitted top on you and ask, ‘Does that look pretty to you?’ Then we just go left and right, and switch out implants, until we arrive at a size.”

What do you tell your patients about IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants?

“I have a saline implant here, a silicone gel implant here, and then we meet in the middle with the IDEAL IMPLANT. It truly is a blend, and takes the best of both worlds. For cosmetic uses, I really like to use the saline filled implants, especially with the advantages of the IDEAL IMPLANT. It speaks tons in terms of safety. It has a documented less risk of it rupturing and less risk of a scar developing around the implant, a problem called a capsular contracture. I think the biggest selling point is the fact that if there’s a problem with it and it does leak, you know instantly. There is none of the guesswork involved in getting MRIs. Any of us that have gone and taken out ruptured silicone gel implants will tell you, it can be a mess and the silicone gel is very sticky. You have to get the scar tissue around it, and that sort of thing can lead to other sorts of issues. When you take out a saline implant that’s ruptured, it couldn’t be easier. It’s simple.

“We can use a little smaller incision to get the implant in there. And because you fill it during the surgery, you can make accommodations if someone’s left or right breast is a little bit different. Also, the IDEAL IMPLANT is really nice because if we get to surgery and the person shows up and says, ‘I’ve been thinking about it, and I think I’d like to be at the upper end of the range that we can put in the implant.’ I say, ‘Great, no problem.’ We can decide that there that day.

“So it’s come to the point where I’ve used the IDEAL IMPLANT enough and had enough exposure to it, I really think it is something women should be considering.”

What do you say to women that are concerned about how new the IDEAL IMPLANT is compared to saline implants or silicone gel implants?

“I feel really confident in offering the IDEAL IMPLANT, even though it is relatively new. I’m just beginning my 11th year of private practice, and I definitely have seen some fads or trends in plastic surgery, including in breast implant technology. Sometimes you get a new device and you think, ‘Oh, this is going to solve all the world’s problems.’ As it turns out, issues arise that we simply couldn’t have predicted until we started using them more and more. However, because the IDEAL IMPLANT is sort of an extension of things we’ve already had, just reworked and re-engineered, I don’t think we’re going to see that. I don’t anticipate big problems with the IDEAL IMPLANT, especially with the seven-year data that we’ve got so far. When people come and they look at the different implants, I like to show them what data we’ve got. The numbers don’t lie. The data really is leading us to believe that everything about the IDEAL IMPLANT is better, including its stability and durability too. I’m really excited about it. I know it’s relatively new, but it’s not like the surgical techniques are all that different. It’s really just a different device that we’re using. Looking at the data that’s already been collected, and having done some of these cases already, it’s just so smooth and slick to work with that I have no reservations about offering it at all.”

After receiving a breast augmentation, what can women anticipate afterward during recovery?

“We try to put a limit on too much strenuous activity for the first week. Little by little, we’ll give you instructions about more things that you can do. I let people shower within 24 hours and wear a sports bra day and night. I don’t like people going underwater for about three to four weeks. You can go to the gym and do light things, but just no heavy, strenuous chest exercises for about three to four weeks. I’ve found yoga to be not so good. That’s a very stretching exercise, so we limit that too.

“Most people, within a few weeks, turn a corner. They’re feeling better. When you meet people a couple of days after surgery, some people think, ‘What I have done to myself? I wasted my money. I shouldn’t have. Why did I put myself through this?’ Then we say, ‘Okay, we know. We’ve seen this. It’s normal to have a little bit of the blues.’ A little depression sets in temporarily, but by three weeks, most people turn a corner and are feeling back to their lives. If you look at the well-done studies and even some of the more recent websites where people rate their experiences with surgeries, breast augmentation is almost at the top of that list in terms of patient satisfaction.”

What advice would you give women looking for a plastic surgeon?

“When trying to choose a plastic surgeon, my advice to people is to ask their friends. Ask some friends who have had some surgery, could have been reconstructive, it could have been cosmetic. Ask your doctor – your primary doctor, your OBGYN, you name it. They are going to have some idea about the community, who people have had good outcomes with and a good rapport with.

“Do a little homework. I think the most reputable site to research doctors is the American Society of Plastic Surgery website. There’s a listing there of all the surgeons who are part of that big society. You must be board-certified to belong to it. I think as long as you’re getting someone with good training, it’s really hard to go wrong.

“Go in for a consult. I think you will get a feel right away whether or not you’re going to be a good fit. I think it’s a good idea to probably see at least two doctors. I wouldn’t go and shop 10 though. I think that’s a bad idea. I’ve been a part of people who have done that. They get so lost in the details that they can’t remember who said what and why they were going to choose or make this decision. Don’t make it too complicated. But see two doctors, and ultimately, go with your gut feeling on which doctor you feel is going to get you to where you want to be.”

What is your goal as a plastic surgeon?

“I think the key to having a good result and a good outcome, and ultimately what you really want, is a happy patient. That’s what we’re all after. It doesn’t really matter if I like a patient’s choice or not. If the person is not happy with it, then we’ve not accomplished our goal. So, I think it all starts way back in the office when we meet for the first time, and the second time. We counsel people about how this is going to go, what to expect, and what I expect, plus the research we have patients do. All of that before you’ve gone to surgery is so important.

“None of us are born exactly the same, mirror image left to right, men or women. When we’re done with this operation, we’re just basically making the breast bigger. Yes, we can try to accommodate for little differences here and there. But in the end, if you’re the type of person that’s going to take a laser pointer across your breasts and obsess about something in the mirror, this is not a good operation for you. This is not how it works. There are more broad strokes in creating curves, and more beauty in the breast in the way of sizing, shaping, and profiles, as opposed to measuring my incision and making sure it’s exactly the same as on the other side. Mother Nature does not cooperate with us as surgeons. You can be as precise as you want to, and I am. I pride myself on trying to be that, but ultimately, things are just not that way. That’s not how we heal. Having said that, the vast majority of breast augmentation patients come back very happy, once you’ve healed.”

Considering breast implants in Kansas City, KS? Contact Dr. Paul Leahy today to discuss your options. Simply call 913-663-3838 or visit www.monarchps.com. Dr. Leahy’s office is located at 4801 West 135th Street, Leawood, KS 66224. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.

What Questions Do You Have About Breast Implant Surgery, Recovery, and More?

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If you’re considering a breast augmentation, or just curious about what is involved, you probably have a lot of questions. Below are the top questions we get about breast implant surgery, recovery, and breast augmentation cost.

Implant Types, Pros, and Cons

Q. What types of implants are available?

A. There are three main types: saline, silicone-gel, and the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant.

Q. Which type should I choose?

A. This depends on your lifestyle. Saline implants give many women peace of mind because if they rupture the saline is naturally absorbed by the body. However, traditional saline implants tend to ripple and look less natural. Silicone-gel keeps its shape and ripples less, but the silicone-gel is not absorbed by the body, and a rupture is only detectable on a costly MRI, often not covered by insurance, which adds to the breast augmentation cost. The IDEAL IMPLANT is filled with saline, so it provides the same peace of mind that other saline-filled implants give, but has a unique internal structure that gives the implant a natural look and feel comparable to silicone-gel.

Q. Are there any concerns I should know?

A. Breast augmentation is very common and safe. However, it is surgery and does come with risks. If you are worried about the recovery or anything else surrounding your breast augmentation bring up these concerns with your surgeon.

Breast Implant Surgery Recovery and Costs

Q. What does breast augmentation cost?

A. Costs can vary depending on where you live, what type of implant you choose, and whether or not your insurance will cover your surgery.

Q. What is breast implant surgery recovery like?

A. As with any surgery, you can expect some soreness and swelling. You will most likely be counseled to stay away from heavy lifting and exercise for a few weeks. Swelling will begin to decrease by two weeks, and you should feel back to normal between 6-12 weeks.

Post-Op Life

Q. What long-term costs should I expect?

A. With the IDEAL IMPLANT, you do not need to worry much about maintenance. The IDEAL IMPLANT has a lower rupture rate than the silicone-gel implants and includes a limited lifetime warranty. Silicone-gel implants, however, require more maintenance. The FDA recommends an MRI every two years for life to detect a silent rupture which significantly increases the overall breast augmentation cost.

Q. How will I know if my implant ruptures?

A. For saline implants and the IDEAL IMPLANT, you will be able to detect a rupture by looking at your breasts. For Silicone-gel implants, you will need an MRI to detect a rupture.

To find a board-certified surgeon in your area use the surgeon finder tool on the IDEAL IMPLANT website. For more questions and information visit idealimplant.com.

Taking Charge of Your Breast Augmentation

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You deserve to have the best breast implants, the best surgeon, and the best overall experience for your breast augmentation. So, how do you make sure that you’re selecting a qualified and compassionate surgeon and an outstanding implant that will help you achieve this reality?

What to Ask Your Doctor

You need to take control of your initial consultation and come ready to discuss a list of your questions and concerns about your procedure. If your doctor is hesitant or refuses to answer them, you may have to look elsewhere for a surgeon who is willing to take their time putting your mind at ease. The following questions are a good place to start:

  • Are you board-certified in plastic surgery? (Most doctors will have this listed on their website, but it’s a good idea to double check.)
  • How many years of experience do you have in breast enhancement surgery?
  • Am I a good candidate for breast implants?
  • Can I view breast augmentation before-and-after photos before making my decision?
  • Which implants do you offer?
  • What kinds of risks and complications are possible with my procedure?
  • How long will it take me to recover from the surgery?
  • How many additional implant-related operations should I expect to undergo in the future?

Your board-certified plastic surgeon should be caring, respectful, and direct about their answers to these questions. After all, this is major surgery, and you deserve to know all the facts.

Choosing Quality Breast Implants

Here are some types of implants available on the market today. Your doctor may or may not offer all of these options.

  1. Silicone gel-filled breast implants. These implants were developed in the 1960s, and are filled with soft, elastic silicone gel. Though these implants do give you a natural feel, they carry a high risk of “silent rupture” and require an expensive MRI every two years to ensure they’re intact.
  2. Traditional saline-filled breast implants. These implants are filled with sterile salt water. They are considered a “safer” option than silicone gel-filled implants for your breast augmentation because they are filled with only saline, but they have no internal structure, so they tend to ripple and feel less natural.
  3. IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants. These breast implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution, and contain layers of shells to give the implant structure. These internal nested shells support the implant to prevent “rippling” and collapse. This means they look beautiful and feel natural. Plus the IDEAL IMPLANT has a lower rate of rupture and lower rate of capsular contracture when compared to other implants.

“7 in 10 women state lower rupture risk is their top priority in choosing between implants with similar look and performance.”

With the IDEAL IMPLANT, patients don’t have to spend money for expensive MRIs, because if an implant ruptures, you can tell just by looking at your breast in the mirror. Plus, you won’t have to worry about side effects to your health from silicone gel, because the IDEAL IMPLANT is filled with salt water, which is not harmful to your body. Bottom line: the IDEAL IMPLANT promises a great look and peace of mind.

Considering a breast augmentation? Ask your doctor for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.