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Why Do Silicone Implants Feel More Natural?
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A question that many women have when they are considering breast augmentation is how natural their breasts will look and feel with implants.
The good news is that silicone implants are truly excellent at simulating a breast’s “natural” look and feel. Given that appropriate choices are made in size, configuration, and other factors, the ultimate results can be outstanding.
Saline implants, on the other hand, are quite significantly inferior in comparison to the silicone ones. This fact is not really debatable.
What Are Silicone Implants Made Of?
Silicone implants have a tough, rubbery outer shell that is made of medical-grade silicone. This “envelope” is filled with a cohesive silicone gel that simulates the feel of youthful breasts, which allows for quality results.
Silicone implants are among the most tested medical devices in human history, having undergone decades of intensive tests and studies to support their safety.
Do Saline Implants Not Feel Natural?
Silicone implants are universally considered to provide a far more natural feel than saline implants. The reason for this is because of how similar the consistency of silicone gel is to that of breast tissue. Furthermore, the movements and contour changes, including pressure and gravity, occur in a unified harmony, which is consistent with natural tissue.
Saline implants, in comparison, somewhat simulate the actions and responses of a water balloon. In addition, the interface between the firmer shell of the implant and the watery saline fill results in a much greater likelihood of a person being able to feel the “edges” of the implant through the skin. In women with very thin skin, this interface can even translate into visualized rippling seen on the breast skin that can be exacerbated by bending over.
Not quite the look you want.
Why Does Gel Cohesiveness Matter?
A crucial factor in accurately simulating the feel of natural breast tissue is the cohesiveness of the silicone gel. If the gel is too soft (or similar to saline), the implant may fail to hold its shape and configuration. Gel that is too dense may feel quite unnatural and unlike a normal breast. Fortunately, the implants recommended by Dr. Turkeltaub are selected to fit his patients’ needs.
Based on a variety of factors, Dr. Turkeltaub can determine the level of implant cohesiveness that is right for you to help you obtain the desired results for your breast augmentation.
How Are Silicone Implants Customized?
Silicone implants can vary in size, shape, profile, cohesiveness, and texture, allowing for more customizable and finessed surgical results to meet the patient’s goals and desires.
Size
Implants should be sized appropriately within a range to match a patient’s body, anatomy, and tissue characteristics. Implants that are too small may have a limited aesthetic impact, whereas implants that are too large may create oversized breasts that appear strikingly unnatural. They can also disrupt anatomical structures creating problems and complications that may be extremely difficult to treat.
Shape
Implants come in two different shapes, round or anatomical (teardrop), though the latter is used on a limited basis for several reasons. Despite the obvious differences in shape between these two implants when looking at them on a table, there is often little to no discernible difference in the appearance of the breasts following their insertion.
Profile
Breast implants of similar size (in cc’s) can have different configurations or proportions, which are categorized as “profiles.” This is based on the relationship of the diameter of the implant to its projection. A lower profile implant will be broader with less projection, whereas a higher profile implant will have a smaller diameter but greater projection.
Women with broader chest walls will usually do better with a lower profile implant because its wider base will cover more of the chest and provide better cleavage. Higher profile implants benefit women with narrower chest walls as they will provide more projection in a narrower base implant.
Gel Cohesiveness
Gel cohesiveness is, in essence, the denseness and firmness of the gel used in the implant. It ranges from softer to firmer, the levels which do vary among implant manufacturers. This variability of firmness allows for an important level of customization of results. Selection of a particular cohesiveness level would depend on several patient-based factors, and Dr. Turkeltaub will provide you with his extensive experience-based recommendations.
Texture
Breast implants are available with both smooth and textured surfaces. For various reasons, particularly the identified association of textured surfaces (especially macro-textured surfaces from one manufacturer) with the rare development of BIA-ALCL, virtually all implants used in this country are smooth surfaced. Furthermore, with advances in implant technology, the theoretical advantages that textured implants were thought to have over smooth surfaced ones related to capsular contracture have not been seen.
Interested in Learning More?
If you are considering breast augmentation surgery, contact the Arizona Center for Breast Surgery to schedule your consultation with Dr. Turkeltaub. You can reach us by calling (480) 451-3000 or filling out our online contact form.