Breast augmentation is one of the most popular types of cosmetic plastic surgery sought after by women who wish to improve the overall aesthetic of their breasts. This can either be for reconstructive reasons, such as after a mastectomy, or personal reasons, such as wishing for a larger cup size or improved symmetry between the breasts.
Whatever the reasons a person may have for seeking breast augmentation, deciding on the right implants for you can be a little overwhelming, especially with the abundance of selections out there.
To help give you more insight, here are some need-to-knows about different types of breast implant and augmentation materials.
The Materials Used
There are two main types of breast augmentation to help increase cup size and improve the symmetry between the breasts. The first is implants, and the second is a fat transfer augmentation.
When it comes to implants, the two basic types used are saline and silicone.
Saline implants are the most well-known style of implants used and are a casing filled with the sterile water solution known as saline. This type of breast implant is the cheaper of the two materials, and its contents may safely be absorbed by the body in the event of a leak or rupture. However, these implants are not quite as realistic as their silicone counterparts and may more obviously show beneath the skin, rippling during moments of activity such as exercise or leaning forward.
Silicone implants, meanwhile, are a more modern type of implant and are slightly more expensive than saline implants. Silicone implants are filled with a dense gel that is form-stable, which is where their alternate name, “gummy bear implants,” comes from. These implants are more realistic in feel and do not ripple during movement. However, the biggest drawback to silicone implants is that the gel material within them is not absorbable by the body and thus requires surgical removal in the event of a rupture.
Moving away from implants altogether is the fat transfer breast augmentation, which utilizes the body’s own natural fat to increase cup size and improve symmetry in the breast. This is done by using liposuction to remove fat from an unwanted area on the body, such as the thighs or stomach, and repurposing that fat to the breasts. This procedure is gaining popularity from those who wish to avoid foreign materials such as implants but still desire breast augmentation.
Both types of implants are available in a plethora of different cup sizes, as well as a choice between circular and teardrop-shaped implants.
Fat transfer breast augmentation can also be performed alongside getting implants, placing the fat over the top of the implants to further enhance cup size and create a more natural look and feel to the breasts, which can be especially helpful when getting saline implants, as the fat can hide the effects of rippling beneath the skin.
Costs
The cost of breast implants can vary greatly depending on where in the world you get them. For example, Toronto breast implants cost roughly $8,000-$13,000 on average. However, other factors like material type, cup size, and more can affect this pricing.
