Breast augmentation is the surgical operation in which breast implants are placed over or under the tissue, in order to increase the volume of the breasts. There are various types, sizes, and brands of implants that are used for breast augmentation. The ideal breast implant depends on the case, based on the body type, the desired look, and the budget. The price range of breast implants is between £2800 and £3600. The factors that affect the price are; the type of the implants, the texture of the implants, the size of the implants, the brand of the implants, and the shape of the implants.
Implant Types: Saline and Silicone
Contents
Saline Breast Implants
Saline breast implants are basically hard silicone shells filled with salt water. Some saline silicones are filled with salt water before the surgery, while some are filled during the operation. Saline silicone implants are FDA-Approved for augmentation for women over the age of 18. When a saline implant ruptures, leaks, or the shell cracks, the salt water is naturally absorbed by the body, and it usually doesn’t pose any danger to the patient. Saline implants may last up to twenty years, depending on the quality and the brand. The usual lifespan of saline implants is anywhere between ten and twenty years, but in ideal conditions, the implant may last even longer.
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone breast implants are basically silicone shells pre-filled with a special kind of silicone gel. This gel mimics the human fat with a thick, sticky, and fluid structure. Most patients that have undergone breast augmentation surgery say that silicone breast implants look and feel more natural, compared to saline breast implants. Silicone breast implants are FDA-Approved for breast augmentation in women older than the age of 22. The average lifespan of silicone gel breast implants is ten to twenty years, and most patients have their implants replaced within eight to ten years.
Silicone vs. Saline: Pros and Cons
The two types of breast implants come with different pros and cons, and we will be examining the pros and cons of the two different types in comparison.
| Saline Breast Implant | Silicone Breast Implant |
| Doesn’t pose any risks when ruptured. | May pose risks if the shell cracks or the implant ruptures. |
| Can be used for women over the age of 18. | Can be used for women over the age of 22. |
| Feels and looks less natural. | Feels and looks more natural when compared to the saline implants. |
| Can be slightly less costly. | Can be slightly more costly. |
‘’Baffled’’ Saline Breast Implants
A different method used while producing the saline implants called ‘’baffling’’ is able to create a more natural feel and look, by layering the shell and allowing the sterile salt water inside the implant to mimic the silicone gel implant by moderating the flow via these layers, according to some experts. The method is not widely known or used yet, but it is likely to be more popular in the future.
Breast Implant Shapes
There are two basic shapes of breast implants; the round (anatomical), and the tear drop (contoured) breast implants. Both of these implants come in many different sizes and profiles. Choosing an implant over another depends on a number of variables such as; the desired look, the body type of the patient, and the preferred incision location. The selection process can be complicated, thus, getting help from the professionals and not hurrying while making the decision is very important.
Round (Contoured) Breast Implant
The round breast implant is the one that is preferred by most women. This implant type provides a more full look compared to tear drop shaped breast implants. The round implants can be filled with bot silicone gel and sterile salt water. Patients can choose either a textured or smooth surface for the implant. Compared to a teardrop implant, a round implant is less likely to wrinkle. Even if it wrinkles, it is almost not noticeable and causes very few problems. It can be also said that the round implants are safer compared to the teardrop implants.
Tear Drop (Anatomical) Breast Implants
The tear drop implants are usually preferred by patients who want the most natural look and feel possible. People who usually find round breast implants ‘’artificial’’ prefer to have a breast augmentation with tear drop breast implants. The typical tear drop breast implants are thinner at the top than they are at the bottom. This provides a more natural look and feel. The tear drop implants are also ideal for people who have mild sagging in their breasts. The anatomical structure of the tear drop shaped breast implants offers the opportunity of correcting the mild saggings.
Breast Implants Profiles
Breasts implants come in a variety of sizes, shapes, brands, and profiles. The ‘’profile’’ term in breast augmentation refers to how far the breast projects forward from the chest wall. A high-profile breast implant refers to the smallest base width and produces the most pronounced silhouette, while a moderate-profile implant means a wider base width and a more natural-looking forward projection from the chest.
Breast Implants Brands
Mentor
Mentor is a breast implant manufacturer that produces silicone and saline breast implants, exclusively in the US. The brand is one of the most popular breast implant manufacturers and the satisfaction rate is considerably high. Mentor has a patented special technology called ‘’MemoryGel’’, these implants come with four projection options, allowing you to choose the best for your desires and body type.
Allergan Natrelle
Allergan is one of the world’s largest breast manufacturers. Allergan Natrelle only manufactures silicone gel implants with smooth surfaces. It can be said that the company has expertise in this type of breast implant. Allergan offers breast implants in five profiles ranging from low to extra-full projection.
Sientra (Sientra Opus Breast Implants)
Sientra OPUS breast implants can only be used by Board Certified and Board Eligible Plastic Surgeons. Sientra offers both round and tear drop shaped breast implants. As for Allergan, Sientra round shaped breast implants also come in five different projections and offer a proprietary texturing technique to maintain the implant positioning.
Motiva
Motiva is a breast implant manufacturer that prioritizes the ergonomy, and the safety of the patient. Motiva implants come in two shapes (Round and Tear Drop), and various sizes and projections. Motiva only manufactures smooth surfaced implants because they aim for the most natural look and feel. The company also implies that the textured implants are riskier than their smooth surfaced counterparts.
Nagor
Nagor is a British breast implant manufacturer that aims for the best quality in their products. The company is the only breast implant manufacturer in the United Kingdom and it has a rooted history. Nagor produces both round and anatomical shaped breast implants and they only produce breast implants filled with silicone gel. They also have a special technology called ‘’SiloGard 360° Barrier Layer’’ that aims to enhance the integrity of their implants and minimize the gel diffusion.
