Breast Implant Textures and Shapes

Breast implant surgery is one of the most widely performed cosmetic surgeries today. Techniques and materials have improved over the past twenty years and currently, there are several types, shapes and textures of breast implants. Breast implants approved for use by the FDA are either made of silicone gel or made of a silicone shell filled with saline.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline breast implants are made with a thick coating, or ‘skin', of silicone. The implants are filled at the time of surgery so the incision to accommodate the implants may be very small. The implants are inserted into the body, and then filled with a safe saline solution. Should the implant burst, the saline solution is absorbed by the body.

Silicone Gel Breast Implants

The FDA for use approved silicone gel breast implants in 2006. Silicone breast implants are pre-filled with a silicone based gel. Therefore, the incision to accommodate the implants must be larger than for the saline implants. Silicone gel implants are considered to be nearly indestructible and burst-proof.

Shapes of Breast Implants

Breast implants come in two shapes: Round and anatomical or contoured. Depending on the pocket created to hold the implant, the surgeon may choose to implement a round or anatomical / contoured breast implant.

Round Breast Implants

Contrary to the beliefs of some, round implants appear and feel as natural as anatomical implants when the surgery is performed well. The surface of round implants may be smooth or textured. Smooth implants are able to move and shift within the pocket, whereas textured implants remain stationary within the pocket.

Anatomical / Contoured Breast Implants

The anatomical / contoured breast implant is a tear-dropped shaped device and was originally produced for reconstructive surgery and they are made to appear and feel natural. When viewing an anatomical implant from the front, the breast implant appears to be oval in shape. Anatomical implants are constructed with a textured surface to keep the implant in place in the body. The textured surface enables the body tissue to ‘grip' the surface of the implant, keeping the device in place.

For an anatomical implant, the pocket must be created with a very precise hand, as the pocket must fit the implant perfectly. Be sure to select a cosmetic surgeon experienced in this type of breast implant surgery.

Smooth versus Textured Implants

Even though smooth implants were historically most often used for cosmetic procedures, some surgeons now prefer to use textured implants with their patients. Textured implants adhere to the body and prevent the implant from shifting and moving in the pocket. However, textured implants are more likely to rupture than smooth breast implants. This is because there may be imperfections and light spots in the textured surface. Silicone implants tend to have a lower rupture rate and tend to last longer.

No one breast implant type is considered better than the others. The decision regarding what size, shape and texture of breast implant to utilize depends on the surgeon's experience with a given implant, the woman's body and the size of the breast implant.