decisions you must make for beautiful breast augmentation results

Breast augmentation involves several choices to ensure you get the results you’re looking for with the right breast implant type, size, and placement for your body. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Erwin Bulan, is known for his personalized and comprehensive surgical plans that consider your anatomy, aesthetic goals, and medical history. At Bulan Plastic Surgery, customizing your breast augmentation starts with these decisions.

BREAST IMPLANT TYPE: SALINE, SILICONE, AND “GUMMY BEAR” IMPLANTS

The type of implant you choose will affect the look and feel of your breast augmentation results. For some women, this decision may depend on their body type, amount of breast tissue, and skin condition. Your goals, such as addressing volume loss or asymmetry, also play a role in selecting the right implant type for your surgery. Dr. Bulan offers saline, silicone, and gummy bear (or form-stable) breast implants.

SALINE BREAST IMPLANTS

Saline breast implants are approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for women 18 and older. A silicone shell is filled to the desired size with sterile saltwater after it’s surgically placed under or over the pectoral chest muscle. If the implant ruptures, the saline solution is naturally absorbed, and the breast loses shape, making it clear that the implant leaked. Saline breast implants involve a smaller incision and are more customizable because they are filled during the procedure.

SILICONE BREAST IMPLANTS

These implants are silicone shells filled with a cohesive silicone gel. The FDA has approved silicone breast implants for women 22 and older, and this implant type is the most popular choice because the gel provides a natural look and feel that mimics breast tissue. Silicone implants are less likely to show visible rippling than saline implants and work well for women with minimal body fat or thin skin. However, the silicone gel stays within the breast implant pocket if the implant rips or leaks, causing a “silent rupture” that requires an MRI to diagnose. It is recommended that women with silicone breast implants need MRIs every three years for implant surveillance.

GUMMY BEAR BREAST IMPLANTS

Gummy bear implants are the latest FDA-approved implant type for women aged 22 and up. The silicone gel is more cohesive and maintains its shape in a rupture. These form-stable implants are less likely to ripple and may be the better choice for revision breast augmentation when the breast pocket is already stretched from the original procedure.

ROUND AND TEARDROP-SHAPED BREAST IMPLANTS

Breast implants can be round or tapered like a teardrop to imitate the natural breast slope. Round implants provide more breast projection and fullness for optimal cleavage, while teardrop implants are anatomically correct for a more natural appearance. Currently, Dr. Bulan prefers smooth round implants. The teardrop implants are currently not available in the market due to an FDA investigation into issues seen with textured tear-drop implants that are not seen in smooth round implants.

SMOOTH AND TEXTURED BREAST IMPLANTS

Implants may come with a smooth or textured feel. A smooth silicone shell moves freely in the breast and is suitable for round breast implants. Textured implants stay in place with the overlying breast tissue and are less likely to rotate. Teardrop implants may be textured to prevent breast shape changes should the implant rotate. As mentioned above, there is no current option for tear-drop shaped textured implants due to ongoing FDA investigation.

The right implant type, shape, and size for breast augmentation depends on your goals and anatomy. Dr. Bulan is known for his surgical talent and thorough evaluations. Before making a recommendation, he will discuss your aesthetic goals, medical history, lifestyle, anatomy, and other factors that may influence these decisions. At Bulan Plastic Surgery, our plastic surgeon and staff hold ourselves to the highest standards of excellence, ensuring a positive experience and satisfactory results for every patient who comes to our Millburn, New Jersey office.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION AT BULAN PLASTIC SURGERY

If you’re interested in breast augmentation, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Bulan today by calling (973) 467-9744 or filling out our online contact form.