Breast Implants

Patients seeking breast augmentation cosmetic surgery should have a clear understanding of the various breast implant options available to them today. The type of implants they choose will have an impact on the final outcome of the procedure. Therefore, the best choice must be made in close consultation with the breast surgeon.

Pre-eminent plastic surgeon Dr. Neal Handel has been providing breast augmentation and other procedures for many years. During the initial consultation process, Dr. Handel will discuss various implant options and help the patient make the right decisions suiting to their unique needs. He receives patients from Beverly Hills, California, and surrounding communities.

Saline Implants

Saline breast implants have been approved by the FDA for women above the age of 18. These are traditional implants where the outer shell is made of silicone, but the inner core is filled with a saline solution. These implants can provide a uniform shape, feel, and firmness to the breasts.

The saline solution is completely biocompatible, which eliminates any risk to the body if the implant gets damaged and the solution leaks out to other parts. The cost of these implants is relatively lower, which will reduce the overall cost of breast augmentation cosmetic surgery to some extent.

Silicone Implants

Silicone breast implants have been approved by the FDA for women above the age of 21. The core of these implants is filled with a thick silicone gel. This deeply viscous gel resembles the touch and feel of the natural breast tissue to a marvelous extent. That makes silicone implant a more popular choice today as compared to saline implant.

Over the years, the safety and effectiveness of silicone implants has been established thoroughly. In the event of implant damage or breakage, the silicone gel does not leak out to other areas because of its highly cohesive nature and consistency. Dr. Handel is a well-known plastic surgeon who receives patients from Beverly Hills, California, and nearby areas for breast implant surgery.

Gummy Bear Implants

Gummy Bear implants or form stable implants, as the name suggests, have a strong cohesiveness. These implants are produced with a highly cohesive silicone gel core. The higher density of the gel allows these implants to maintain their shape and form.

Another advantage with gummy bear implants is that if the implant shell gets broken, damaged, or cut into two pieces, the highly cohesive silicone gel will not leak out to other areas of the body. In that sense, the safety quotient of these implants becomes higher than any other implants.

These implants have been approved by the FDA, and are gradually catching up in popularity. The cost of form stable implants is relatively higher compared to standard silicone or saline implants. However, the higher aesthetic appeal and improved patient satisfaction may compensate for the higher cost.

Size and Shape

Breast implants are usually available in a variety of sizes ranging from 120 cc to 960 cc to match with the breast anatomy of different patients. The shape of the implants may be round or tear drop, and the profile sizes will also vary. Implant surface can be plain or textured.