Maryland Breast Implants

Learn About Breast Implants

Dr. Garazo uses the latest generation of silicone breast implants because they have a proven track record for performance and safety. This page outlines the benefits of saline and silicone gel implants.

What Are Breast Implants?

First, to define what a breast implant is: A breast implant is a sphere (an implant shell) made of silicone, a rubber-like substance. It is filled with either silicone gel or saline. The sphere is surgically implanted under your chest tissue, sometimes beneath your chest muscle.

Breast implants come in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate various body types. The range of sizes of silicone breast implants and saline breast implants include High Profile, Moderate Plus Profile, and Moderate Profile—each offering a different level of projection (the profile) for an individual woman’s preference and body type.

Saline & Silicone Breast Implants

Saline Breast Implants

Both silicone and saline breast implants are safe. Saline-filled breast implants, however, have four distinct advantages:

1. They cost less.
2. They are not pre-filled, so Dr. Garazo can fill them during surgery to specific amounts to battle asymmetry.
3. Since they are not pre-filled, the augmentation surgery requires a slightly smaller incision.
4. It is easy to tell when they need replacement, since a leaking implant deflates noticeably.

Saline breast implants come in the same sizes, shapes, and textures as their silicone sisters. Which type of breast implant is right for you depends on your preference, as well as your body type and your enhancement goals.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for breast augmentation in the US. In use for over 50 years, millions of women all over the world have them. Silicone gel implants feel more like natural breast tissue than saline implants. After decades of research with surgeons and patients, the latest generation of silicone gel breast implants have performed at a very high level. Silicone gel implants feature a cohesive, gelatin-like substance that acts as a solid rather than a liquid. It holds together uniformly while still retaining the natural give of breast tissue.

Silicone breast implants are available in a variety of profiles, which refers to the amount of forward projection off the chest wall in relation to the base width of the implant. This allows Dr. Garazo to achieve a better match between your desired breast projection and your individual body frame. Ask Maryland plastic surgeon Dr. Garazo for greater detail on selecting the right breast implant for you.

New Gummy Bear Breast Implants

A third type of implant is rapidly gaining in popularity: highly cohesive silicone gel implants, often referred to as “gummy bear implants” for their firm but pliable consistency. These implants are available only through board certified plastic surgeons and are some of the most natural-looking and feeling implants available. Benefits include:

• The implant is comprised of form-stable silicone, which holds its shape throughout the lifetime of the implant.
• Because of the shape of the implant, final results are often seen more quickly.
• While these implants are firmer than other styles, this firmness is complemented by a suppleness and flexibility that mimics natural breast tissue.
• Gummy bear implants have a reduced rate of complication.

Gummy bear breast implants are comprised of a firm silicone outer shell that is pre-filled with high-strength, highly cohesive silicone gel. They are available in either teardrop shaped or round options and, just like traditional silicone gel implants, their size, base shape, and projection can be all be customized to achieve your preferred look.

Breast Implant Styles

If you decide to have breast augmentation in Maryland, you will need to decide what kind of breast implant will help you best achieve your goals. Both silicone and saline breast implants are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Prior to your breast enlargement surgery, you will discuss with Dr. Garazo the implant size, shape, and surface that are most appropriate for you.

Breast Implant Sizes

For many women, deciding what breast size they want can be the most difficult part about choosing breast augmentation. Generally, the larger you want your cup size to be, the larger the breast implant you will need. Dr. Garazo will evaluate your existing breast tissue to determine if you have enough tissue to accommodate the desired size of breast implant.

If you want a breast implant that is too large for your tissue, you may have unexpected complications. For example, you may be able to see the implant’s edges through your skin after your operation or you may be able to feel the implant more easily. You may also increase the risk of having complications during the surgery. Furthermore, excessively large breast implants may increase the effects of gravity on your body, which may cause your breasts to prematurely droop or sag.

Smooth & Textured Breast Implant Surfaces

Breast implant shells for both silicone and saline implants have a smooth or textured surface. As a natural reaction to any device placed in the body, scar tissue will form around the breast implant surface, creating a capsule. In some women, the capsule can tighten and squeeze the implant. This occurrence is called capsular contracture.

Textured breast implants were designed to reduce the chance of capsular contracture. Some small studies have suggested that surface texturing reduces the chance of severe capsular contracture, but clinical information from studies of a large number of women with implants shows no difference in the likelihood of developing capsular contracture with textured implants compared to smooth-surfaced implants. Still, breast implants with a textured surface have been gaining in popularity.

Shaped Breast Implants

Breast implants come in two shapes: teardrop-shaped and round. The teardrop implants feature a contoured shape that re-creates the teardrop outline of a mature breast. This style is often preferred by women who are looking for a gently sloping breast silhouette. Also available are contoured implants that provide the elliptical shape of the mature breast with moderate or high projection. This breast implant shape is wider at the base to accommodate women with wider chest walls.

Round breast implants are currently the most popular choice for breast augmentation procedures. Round breast implant shapes are available in a wide array of sizes to accommodate various body types. Round breast implant shells come in two textures: smooth or textured.  Talk to Dr. Garazo about which implant type, size, and surface texture is right for you.

If you are considering breast augmentation, Dr. Henry Garazo invites you to explore your options through a patient consultation. To schedule a consultation at Plastic Surgery Services, contact us online or call (301) 791-1800.