Women who visit our practice to explore their breast augmentation options usually can’t wait to begin their transformation! But when the time finally arrives to choose between silicone or saline breast implants, many patients struggle to make this pivotal decision. To help you navigate your aesthetic journey, here are 5 factors to consider when choosing implants to align with your vision and complement your frame.
1. Saline Breast Implants May Feel Less Natural Than Silicone Implants
Some women prefer saline implants to silicone implants because they are filled with a sterile saltwater solution that is considered more natural than silicone. However, opting for a more natural filling doesn’t mean your breast implants will look and feel more natural. The truth is that saline can make the implants feel a little firmer than natural breast tissue. There’s never a one-size-fits-all solution, and some people will gladly take the tradeoff of firmer-feeling implants for the peace of mind that an implant leak will be instantly noticeable and harmless to the body.
2. Bigger Isn’t Always Better
While most breast augmentation patients want to enhance their cup size, we caution patients to remember that “the bigger, the better” doesn’t always apply to breast implants. Your needs may differ from the friend that referred you to us! We encourage you to select an implant size that complements your unique body frame. Not to worry, I will help guide you toward choosing implants that are best suited for your body proportions and aesthetic goals.
3. Incisions: Location, Location, Location
The location of your incision matters due to potential scarring and other lifestyle factors. The 3 most common incision options are the periareolar (around the areola), inframammary (in the crease under the breast), and transaxillary (in the armpit) incisions. Most patients prefer inframammary incisions because the natural fold of the breast easily hides the scar. Because the inframammary incision doesn’t involve the nipple, it’s also a safe and popular choice for women concerned about their ability to breastfeed in the future. Of course, I do everything possible to conceal your scars no matter which incision approach we take.
4. Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation May Not Be the Best Option
Women who choose us for breast augmentation typically want naturally beautiful and noticeable results. This isn’t always possible with breast fat transfer vs implants. While the idea of using your own fat to enhance breast size is appealing to some women, this approach achieves very modest results compared to breast augmentation with implants. Fat grafting can require multiple procedures to achieve satisfactory results and cause calcifications in the breast that make mammography more difficult to interpret. Furthermore, these calcifications can feel like breast lumps to women, causing unnecessary worry.
5. Some Implants Cost Less Than Others
Budget considerations may also factor into the type of implant you choose. For example, saline implants typically cost less than silicone implants, and “gummy bear” (highly cohesive gel) silicone implants tend to cost more than traditional silicone breast implants. The price tag for your surgery will increase if you choose to combine your breast augmentation with a breast lift to boost sagging breasts. We work with health care financing companies like CareCredit®, Alphaeon®, and PatientFi® that offer flexible financing options to help you achieve your aesthetic vision on any budget!
Of course, choosing a skilled, experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon for your breast augmentation procedure is essential. I encourage you to visit our practice so that we can thoroughly explore your breast implant options and goals. It’s easy to request a consultation online or call us at (713) 571-0600. Let’s make your transformation happen together!
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