Questions in Breast Implant Surgery
	By Dr. Michael Weinberg BSc, MSc, MD, FRCSC www.mississaugacosmeticsurgeryclinic.com View Dr. Weinberg's profile

"How does one decide which breast implants is best when considering Breast Enhancement?". This is a question I’m frequently asked.

There are a number of factors to consider when making the decision on implant type. The choice of implant is intimately related to the choice of surgical technique. The goal should always be the most natural looking result. As a general rule, breast implants placed above the chest wall muscle tend to have a more natural look and feel. Placing the implant above the muscle is also a somewhat less invasive surgery, with an easier and more comfortable recovery. For women with hanging breasts (breast ptosis) , placing an implant above the muscle can also give the impression of lifting the nipple.

A Gel Cohesive implant should probably be the first choice If one is going to place an implant above the muscle, as it is more likely to give a natural appearance, and is less likely to wrinkle. Gel Cohesive implants also have other advantages. The consistency of silicone gel is more similar to the texture of human fat, so the implants feel more natural, and one can choose the shape of the implant, for eg. tear drop , as opposed to saline implants which mostly give a round appearance once implanted.

Despite all this, there is still a significant role for saline implants. For most small breasted, thin women, despite the desirability of above the muscle placement, going above the muscle may not be possible, as there may not be enough skin and soft tissue to cover the implant. If one must therefore go below the muscle, the advantages of Gel Cohesives becomes less critical. Wrinkling and texture become less of an issue, and saline implants are more affordable. Furthermore, saline implants can be placed with a smaller incision. Lastly, leakage of a saline implant is obvious as it causes deflation, while leakage of a Gel Cohesive implant can be hard to detect and may even require MRI scanning.

The good news is, with so many great choices available in type of implant, surgical technique, as well as incision type, breast augmentation surgery can be customized to meet the goals and budget of each patient. The absolute best way to determine what type of implant will best suit your needs is to come in for an in depth consultation. At that appointment you’ll have plenty of time to discuss the size and shape you’d like ot be, and you’ll have the opportunity to try on sizers, which really help in the decision making process. We’ll talk in detail about what to expect before, during and after surgery, and you’ll also have the opportunity to view many before and after photos of patiients who have had a variety of implant types so you’ll have a better idea of how they actually look after the procedure.

To get a better picture of the implant decision process you can view a video detailing the personal journey of 2 sisters that underwent breast implant surgery with me by clicking HERE.