Choosing the Right Breast Implants

Women who choose breast enlargement in the Dallas - Fort Worth area are fortunate to have better options than at any other time in the past. Not only are there a variety of surgical techniques to choose from, but the number of safe and effective breast implant options has also increased significantly.

While saline implants have been used predominantly since 1992, silicone is regaining popularity since being re-introduced to the U.S. market in 2006. Each different type of implant has a unique set of characteristics and considerations, and Dr. Bogdan's extensive experience with both saline and silicone will help him to guide you in choosing the implant that will best achieve your breast enhancement goals. Choosing a breast implant in Dallas is a very personal decision, and Dr. Bogdan will take the necessary time to go over all of your options at your consultation.

If you would like to find out more about which implant type is right for your breast enlargement in Dallas, click here to request a consultation with Dr. Michael Bogdan, a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast augmentation.

A board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic surgery, Dr. Bogdan provides advanced surgical skill for his patients' needs.

Choosing a Breast Implant in Dallas

Breast enlargement can be an exciting process. Along the way to your new look, you will face numerous decisions, perhaps none as important as what type of breast implant will help you to achieve the results you want. In addition to breast augmentation, implants may be used as a part of a combination breast enlargement / breast lift, or during post bariatric surgery.

Saline Breast Implants

From 1992 to 2006, saline-filled breast implants were the only option available for the majority of women seeking breast augmentation in the United States. There are no health risks associated with the medical-grade saltwater solution that fills these implants. In the case of leakage or rupture, the saline is harmlessly absorbed by the body and eliminated. These implants cost less than silicone gel filled implants due to lower manufacturing costs. And since they are often filled during the surgery, Dr. Bogdan has some ability to "fine tune" the size of each implant for your procedure.

Most women report that the biggest drawback to saline-filled implants is that they tend to look and feel less natural than silicone gel implants. For instance, saline implants at times may exhibit a wrinkled or rippled appearance, particularly for women with little existing breast tissue or when the implants are placed above the pectoral muscle. Also, if a saline implant leaks or ruptures, there is an immediate and conspicuous loss of volume, which makes revision surgery a more urgent concern.

Silicone Gel Filled Implants

The new "fourth generation" silicone gel implants are a safe and effective option for many women considering breast enlargement in Fort Worth or Dallas. These implants have undergone more than a decade of testing and clinical studies, and were found by the FDA to pose no significant health risks. In 2006, the FDA lifted its voluntary moratorium on the use of silicone implants, granting marketing approval for a new silicone gel implant type. However, there are some restrictions on their usage, including age restrictions - these implants may not be used for women under 22 years old.

The new silicone implants are vastly improved over the earlier generations of silicone, and are filled with a cohesive silicone gel which is much less likely to leak or migrate if punctured, torn, or cut. To ensure ongoing safety, the FDA continues to monitor silicone implants as part of a post-approval study. The findings of some of these studies are summarized in the file link to the right - click to read Mentor's informational pamphlet.

Silicone gel filled implants are the most popular choice worldwide by a significant margin. This is because women find that silicone produces the most natural looking and feeling results. They rarely ripple or wrinkle and do not slosh like saline implants sometimes do, which is one of the reasons why many women are trading out older saline implants for silicone gel.

Your Next Step

Selecting the right breast implant type is not a one-size-fits-all process. There are numerous considerations, such as your particular anatomy, your lifestyle, and the look and feel that you hope to achieve. For some women, saline implants are the right choice, while for others, silicone makes the most sense. Dr. Bogdan has the experience and the knowledge to help you choose the implant that best compliments your breast augmentation procedure.