Types of Breast Implants

Silicone, Saline, Gummy, Soybean?

What Breast Implant is Right for You?

Life with no bust or a bust not worth mentioning can be an unnerving thought, simply because breasts are not only meant for breastfeeding, but also have a cosmetic role in enhancing your appearance and self-confidence. So, if you desire breast enhancement or reconstructive surgery, implant is the answer.

Why breast implants?

Although not the original thing, breast implant is much sought after, as it not only rebuilds your bust, but your self-confidence too! Want a flattering celebrity figure? It‘s the implant that comes to your rescue! However, if you ever happen to lose your breast to cancer or accident, there‘s nothing better than a breast implant for reconstructive purposes. Even women with asymmetrical breasts opt for it to balance the difference in size. Many women also correct reductions in breast size, resulting from fluctuating hormones after pregnancy, by breast implant surgery.

Types of breast implants

So, what all implants are available in the market? Amongst the several types available, silicone and saline breast implant rule the roost, since some others are still in the trial stages. Let‘s have a look at some of them:

a. Silicone breast implant: This implant, at one time, was the most sought after by celebrities and wannabes alike. The reason was its natural feel and texture, and the fact that even a ruptured implant did not deflate suddenly, but lost its shape gradually. However, this implant came into disuse and was finally banned by the FDA, as it fuelled fears of cancer through leaked silicone gel in the body. However, if you want it you can still get it, but you‘ll have to become a part of a study. It‘s allowed in reconstructive surgery.

b. Saline breast implant: The risk of silicone gel entering the body was obviated with the introduction of the saline implant. Although a saline implant has a silicone bag, it‘s filled with harmless salt-water that precludes the risk of leakage. However, where silicone implant had scored, this implant suffers. It doesn‘t have a natural feel and feels more like a ‘water filled balloon‘ and can deflate, almost immediately, like one too!

c. Gummy bear breast implant: If you‘ve handled gummy bear confectionary, you‘d know how this cohesive implant would feel. Its new type of shell coating doesn‘t cause inflammation, scarring or wrinkling. Even if it ruptures, it maintains its shape, since the gel filled in it just doesn‘t seep out! And more importantly, it feels like the breast tissue, not a water balloon! However, it‘s still under trial in the US.

d. Soybean oil breast implant: Although, soybean oil breast implants have not been approved by the FDA for use in the US, they enjoy great popularity overseas. However, further clinical trials on humans and mammals are being conducted in the US and Canada.

There are many other types too, like round, anatomical, low profile, moderate profile and high profile breast implants.  

Choosing breast implants

The quality of a breast implant that goes into your body is important. The choices you‘re required to make may include the type of implant surface, whether textured or smooth; the shape of the breast implant, whether round or anatomical; and the like. You‘d do well to answer six basic questions, before you choose an implant; What size? What fill? What shape? What surface? What profile or projection? Which manufacturer?

The two top companies currently manufacturing breast implants are Mentor and Inamed. Of course, there are many others too. Mentor breast implant comes in both saline and silicone variety for use in both breast enlargement and breast reconstruction.

Till the time the scientists come up with a live breast clone, you‘d have to do with the artificial implant! So, when shopping for one, be sure what‘ll suit you the best, without compromising on quality.