silicone or saline breast implants

December 19, 2012

Breast Bet: Implant Options Explained

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Breast augmentation surgery is a cosmetic procedure designed to change the size and shape of a woman’s breasts while creating a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. For many women, breast augmentation allows them to create a look that is more proportionate with other features and to fit into clothes with confidence. While the reasons for wanting breast augmentation are numerous, Dr. John LeRoy encourages any woman contemplating breast enhancement to fully understand her implant options before undergoing surgery to maximize satisfaction with her results.

In addition to implant size (measured in cubic centimeters), patients must also elect the type of implant they’re to receive. Currently, there are three FDA-approved or indicated breast implant types: saline, silicone, and silicone gel. Saline implants are composed of a silicone elastomer shell that is inserted into the body deflated and then filled during surgery to the pre-determined volume with sterile saline solution once in place. Many patients choose saline breast implants for fear of side effects from silicone breast implant rupture. Because saline is inherent to the chemistry of the body, there are no known biological side effects in the event of saline implant rupture whereas the long-term effects of silicone exposure are still inconclusive.

The other side to the breast implant coin is the natural look and feel of silicone breast implants. Composed of a silicone elastomer shell, silicone implants come prefilled with a silicone gel congruous to the consistency of human fat. Like saline implants, silicone implants are surgically inserted to create the previously decided contour. Because silicone gel is more viscous, a breast implant leak or rupture may be slower and less noticeable. For that reason, the FDA currently recommends that all women who have silicone implants receive an MRI every 2 years, beginning 3 years after their surgery, to detect any changes in the implants such as leaks or ruptures. In the event of a leak, most board certified plastic surgeons will recommend patients to receive breast revision surgery to remove and replace the affected implant.

The most recent option, undergoing further FDA study as of March 2012, Sientra’s PMA silicone gel breast implant is made of a silicone shell filled with a cohesive, semi-solid silicone gel. Referred to in popular media as the “gummy bear implant”, the Sientra implants were designed to offer an additional textural option as well as hold their shape in the event of implant trauma like leak or rupture. As with any cosmetic procedure, Dr. LeRoy encourages all of his patients to examine their medical history as well as their lifestyle and cosmetic goals when pursuing breast surgery.

To learn more about breast implant surgery in Atlanta with Dr. John LeRoy, visit his website and continue to read his blog. You can also connect with Dr. LeRoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Google + for the latest plastic surgery and breast implant technology news.

November 9, 2012

How do I know if Breast Augmentation is Right for me?

Latest News breast augmentation Atlanta, Breast enhancement Dr. John LeRoy, breast implant doctors Atlanta, breast volume, cosmetic breast surgery, how to fix sagging breasts, making breasts bigger Atlanta, silicone or saline breast implants, what happens during breast augmentation

How do I know if Breast Augmentation is Right for me?

There is no question that a woman’s breasts are intimately connected with her sense of femininity; therefore, the decision to undergo breast augmentation is not one that should be made without careful thought and collaboration with your board certified plastic surgeon. For all of my Atlanta breast enhancement patients, the decision to pursue cosmetic breast surgery begins with a conversation.

My first question to prospective breast augmentation patients is what their cosmetic goals are; do they want a change in their breast size, shape, position, or several of these things? It’s also important to know if they’ve had any previous breast surgery as the presence of scar tissue can be an issue for breast revision patients. By discussing these topics and allowing the patient to explain their surgical goals, we’re ensuring that patients will know what to expect from the breast procedure(s) they select.

Breast augmentation, or the surgical insertion of a saline or silicone filled breast implant, is designed to increase breast volume in patients with inadequate breast tissue or those who’ve lost volume with age. Breast augmentation may be performed using one of several incision techniques based on the type of implant selected, the presence of existing scar tissue, and the patient’s preference.

For patients who are researching breast augmentation to restore more youthful looking breasts, breast lift surgery is often performed at the same time as breast augmentation to restore the breasts to a higher, more youthful position on the chest. Both breast surgeries must be performed by a board certified plastic surgeon. Although there are those who offer awake breast augmentation, I only perform breast enhancement under in a hospital with the assistance of a qualified anesthesiologist and surgical team for patient safety.

To learn more about the other cosmetic breast surgery options I offer, visit my website or contact my office. You can also connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest cosmetic surgery news.