Breast Implant Options
Breast enhancement surgery is about creating each individual woman's ideal breast size, shape, and feel. Determining what is "ideal" for you is a very personal decision, and one that we can help you with. One of the key components to achieving your ideal results is selection of the right breast implants at our Virginia cosmetic surgery practice.
Saline implants have been around for years, and are routinely chosen for breast augmentation in Virginia. Silicone gel filled implants are the most popular implants worldwide, due to the more natural looking and feeling results that they can create. Each implant type comes with unique considerations, and Drs. Goldberg and Krieger will use their knowledge of both of these implant types to help you choose which is best for you.
To learn more about your implant options, click here to request a complimentary consultation at Goldberg and Krieger Board Certified Plastic Surgeons.
Saline Implants
Although they have been available since the 1970's, saline implants did not achieve widespread use until 1992, when they became the only option for most women seeking breast augmentation in the United States. These implants are filled with a medical-grade saltwater solution which is harmlessly absorbed by the body in the case of rupture or leakage. Use of saline implants usually offers a wider range of incision options, and saline implants are generally less expensive, due to decreased manufacturing costs. Also, some saline implants offer the surgeon the ability to "fine tune" the size and feel of the implant by adjusting the fill level.
However, many women do not believe that saline implants look and feel as natural as silicone implants. They sometimes produce a wrinkled or rippled appearance, which may require revision surgery. In the case of rupture, a saline implant will lose volume almost immediately, making replacement a more immediate concern.
Silicone Gel Filled Implants
In 2006, the FDA lifted its voluntary moratorium on silicone gel filled breast implants for almost all breast surgeries. The new "Fourth Generation Silicone" implants are composed of cohesive silicone gel which holds its shape even when punctured or torn. These implants have undergone more than a decade of tests and clinical studies, and the FDA continues to monitor them as part of a post-approval study. As investigators for the silicone gel adjunct study, Drs. Goldberg and Krieger have particular knowledge and experience in dealing with issues related to silicone gel implants.
The new silicone implants have not only proven to be a safe choice, they also offer the most natural looking and feeling results available to our Fairfax breast augmentation patients. However, there are some restrictions and recommendations that accompany silicone implants. According to FDA guidelines, these implants are not available to women under 22 years of age. Also, your surgeon may suggest specific mammography or MRI procedures as a part of your implant maintenance and long-term care. Drs. Goldberg and Krieger will go over all of these considerations with you during your initial breast implant consultation in Virginia.
To learn more about your breast implant choices, click here to request a complimentary consultation with one of our surgeons, specializing in breast augmentation in Virginia. Or you can call Goldberg & Krieger Board Certified Plastic Surgeons toll free at 888-245-6513 to make an appointment.
