Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants Information Web

The of Breast Implants

Everything You Need to Know
About Saline and Silicone Gel Breast Implants:

Don't be overwhelmed - be educated. Before you undergo breast augmentation surgery with breast implants, you need to make several choices about your surgery. One of those choices is which implants to use and that choice involves several basic options.

First, you must choose implant fill: saline or silicone. You must also choose whether the surface of the implant is textured or smooth and whether the shape of the breast implant is round or anatomical. You must also choose what size implant you want, what profile you want and which manufacturers' implant you want to use. Your surgeon will help with all of these.

So, here are the 6 basic questions to answer before you choose an implant: What fill? What shape? What surface? What Profile? What size? and Which Manufacturer? Follow the outline below to learn about each choice. If you get lost, use the Roadmap or the Quick Links you'll find on every page, to get back on track! Let's get started:

First Stop: Breast Implant Fill: Saline or Silicone?

Helpful Hint! Occasionally, there will be links to articles which expand on a topic discussed, but which diverge from this outline. They will open a "new window" and often be marked as a "detour." When finished with the detour, close the window and resume the order of the outline.

Breast Implants:
The Full Roadmap:

1. Breast Implant Fill - Saline or silicone?

Saline
Silicone

History & Controversy
Studies about Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Who Qualifies for Silicone Breast Implants?
Cohesive Gel and Gummy Bear Silicone Breast Implants

2. Breast Implant Size - How do I choose the right size?

-Methods of determining ideal breast implant size choice
-Using Nicole's Photo Gallery to help choose size
-Choosing from Implant Manufacturer Specifications

3. Breast Implant Shape

-Shapes: Round vs. Anatomical (Teardrop/Contoured/Shaped))
-Profile: Low, Moderate, High

Choosing breast implant shape may seem complicated since manufacturers have so many styles in their lineups. However, it’s really only a matter of making two choices. The first choice is the Shape; the second choice is the Profile. Shape refers to the actual shape of the implant, round or anatomical. Profile refers to the distance the implant projects off the chest wall.

4. Breast Implant Surface

Textured Surface Breast Implants
Smooth Surface Breast Implants

5. Breast Implant Profile / Projection

Moderate Profile (regular / standard)
High Profile
Low Profile
Moderate “PLUS” Profile

6. Breast Implant Manufacturers

Mentor Corporation
Inamed Aesthetics
Silimed, Inc.
Breast Implant Warranty Info
See All Implant Dimensions and Specifications

Other Implants / Considerations

Overfill
Insurance
The Inamed (McGhan) Style 410 Implant
The Mentor CPG (Contour Profile Gel) Implant
Soy
Expandable Breast Implants
Becker Double Lumen Breast Implants

Breast Implants:
Quick Links:

1. FILL - Saline v. Silicone

7. Other Considerations