Questions About Breast Implants

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

What are some of the differences between textured implants and smooth implants?

Textured implants have a rougher surface, similar to a very fine grade of sandpaper, which helps prevent them from moving around, flipping or folding within the breast pocket. The shell, or lumen, of a textured implant is thicker to accommodate this rougher surface. Contoured or teardrop-shaped implants are made using textured implants. Claims have been made that textured implants reduce the possibility of capsular contracture (scar tissue hardening). The risk of leakage and of rippling is, however, slightly higher in textured implants than in smooth implants.

A smooth implants surface resembles that of an inflated balloon. These implant types are considered more natural looking than textured implants. Smooth implants are available only as round-shaped and have a thinner shell than textured implants. They move freely within the breast pocket, but do not change shape due to movement. Smooth implants have been shown to last longer than textured implants and have a smaller chance of rippling.

Is one type of implant better than another?

No evidence exists to suggest that smooth, textured, saline or silicone gel breast implants differ with regard to safety or quality. For many years, silicone gel implants were thought to be unsafe and were banned in this country. However, after extensive research and better manufacturing techniques, silicone gel implants have been approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and are no longer considered a health risk.

Is there a difference in incisions between silicone gel implants and saline implants?

Because silicone gel implants are pre-filled, the incision must be made larger to enable Dr. Barber to properly place them within the breast pocket. Conversely, saline implants do not require large incisions since they are not filled until after they are placed during surgery.

Does one type of implant look more natural or realistic than another?

Anatomical or teardrop-shaped implants are often mistakenly thought to look more like natural breasts than round-shaped implants. However, the realistic look comes not from the shape of the implant so much as other factors. These include the womans anatomy, the size of the natural breasts and the implant placement.

Do silicone gel implants feel different from saline implants?

Saline-filled implants feel slightly different than silicone gel implants. To get an idea of the difference, fill one plastic bag with jelly or hairstyling gel to resemble a silicone implant and another bag with water to approximate how a saline implant would feel. The difference is slight, but may be important to the individual.

If you have further questions regarding the types of breast implants, please contact the offices of Dr. James Barber to set up an initial consultation.

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