Dr. Tim R. Love, MD believes under the muscle is preferable. This allows for the patient’s own tissue to better cover the implant, thus helping prevent rippling and show-through of the implant’s edge. Also, placement under the muscle allows for clearer mammograms and more natural aging of the breasts.

Saline is simply salt water. A saline-filled implant can provide excellent results and is very easily monitored. A saline-filled implant has the characteristics of a water balloon. Patients can sometimes experience rippling and show-through with this implant if they are slender or don’t have a lot of existing breast tissue. Silicone gel-filled implants are more natural looking and feeling than saline-filled implants. They are more ‘forgiving’ in terms of adding volume to a patient who doesn’t start with a lot of her own breast tissue. The latest technology in gel implants, referred to as the”gummy bear implant” due to its solid filler, provides excellent results with its anatomically-shaped composition.

Both saline and gel-filled implant are safe, FDA-approved and provide excellent results. Implant choice is a patient choice once advised by her plastic surgeon. Implant type may also be driven by the patient’s anatomy.

Yes. All breast implants will eventually fail and need to be removed & replaced. With a saline-filled implant, a deflation will be noted immediately because the patient will loose volume on the effected breast. The released saline will simply be excreted from the body. A gel implant deflation, however, will be detected by either mammogram or MRI as the gel filler stays in place. Typically there is no noticeable change in appearance. Implants are warrantied by the manufacturer to help with the cost of the remove/replace procedure however this warranty only covers the cost of the implants.  It does not include cost of surgeon fee, anesthesia, or facility fee.

Depending upon what type of work you do, usually a few days are adequate. It is best to restrict any lifting for about a week. Breast augmentation is typically an uneventful procedure which allows a patient to resume normal activities in a relatively short time.

Depending upon what type of work you do, usually a few days are adequate. It is best to restrict any lifting for about a week. Breast augmentation is typically an uneventful procedure which allows a patient to resume normal activities in a relatively short time.