The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery published a study that shows that in 2009 breast augmentation was the most popular cosmetic surgery in the U.S. After breast surgery, the other procedures that make the top five list are liposuction, eyelid surgery, nose jobs and tummy tucks.
Women get breast augmentation done to improve the size or shape of their breast or in many cases for medical reasons to reconstruct it after illness, accident, or surgery. Depending on the patient, different plastic surgeons will use different techniques to meet the patient’s goals. Each procedure would have to be customized to achieve the result that the patient wants.
An initial consult with a plastic surgeon would result in a discussion around the type of an implant that should be used and where it needs to be placed. Choices can be saline-filled or silicone gel.
Most implants in the United States are either saline solution fillings or using silicone gels. Although silicone gels were banned in the 1990’s, after extensive studies that proved their safety, the ban was lifted in 2006.
So what are the benefits of using silicone gel implants over saline fillings and vice versa?
First, Silicone gel filled breasts feel softer and more natural when compared to saline-filled implant which are firmer. Silicone gel implant surgery is more expensive than saline-filled implants. Saline filled implants can be done through smaller incisions because they are filled after being implanted versus silicone gels which are filled and then implanted.
Breast augmentation can result in enhanced patient confidence and self-esteem. But a through due-diligence with an experienced AND board-certified Plastic Surgeon is the number one thing we recommend if you are considering breast augmentation surgery.
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