What are the types of Breast Implants available?

Breast implants vary in shape, size, and shell feel and texture. Breast implants are designed to enlarge or reshape breasts, as well as reconstruct the chest following the removal of the breast due to breast cancer care. Dr. Capone performs breast augmentation using FDA-approved silicone or saline implants to help you achieve beautiful results. He assures every patient that the surgery is safe and can be performed as an outpatient procedure. Our before and after photos show the impressive results Dr. Capone has helped patients achieve. At Shadyside Surgi-Center, patients can expect safe and effective care. The facility has a very low infection rate - 1/10th of that that recorded at local hospitals.

Which type of implant is better, silicone or saline?

It depends on the woman. Silicone is the best choice if you have very little soft tissue or are very thin. This is especially true of recently FDA approved 5th generation silicone gel implants with their high cohesivity. Silicone implants have a silicone bag; it's filled with a jellylike substance called silicone gel. It is considered more natural-feeling. Saline implants have been compared to water balloons.

Saline requires a smaller incision than silicone. Using endoscopic techniques Dr. Avery C. Capone and Dr. Raymond A. Capone, Jr. can perform saline breast augmentation through a hidden short armpit incision. Saline implants are a good option if you already have an adequate cushion of skin, fat, and muscle to cover the implant. However, women who are undergoing reconstructive surgery after breast removal and those who have problems with their implants typically choose silicone.

Are silicone and Saline Breast Implants safe and effective?

Both options are considered safe and effective, though there are pros and cons to consider each.

The FDA considers saline-filled implants less risky. Although they have the same silicone rubber envelope as gel-filled implants, leakage or rupture would release only salt water, not silicone gel, into the body. However, this advantage has been mitigated by recent 5th generation cohesive gel implants which have little or no gel leakage risk. The drawbacks to saline are that it deflates, meaning it may possibly wear out, normal body movements may weaken the implant where it might fold or bend. Saline lacks the naturalness of a gel and must be camouflaged under a thicker cushion of fat, gland or muscle.

Can Breast Implants cause breast cancer?

Several large and well-structured studies have indicated there is no increased risk of breast cancer in women with implants  (2). It was also revealed that there is not an increased risk of traditional autoimmune, or connective tissue disease, from silicone gel implants.

To learn more about breast augmentation with breast implants and discuss how we can help you improve your figure, we encourage you to call or book an appointment online today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Capone. Our office is located in Shadyside, Pittsburgh, PA. and we offer free parking at our facility as well. Call us at 412.363.6626 or use the convenient online appointment booking tool to get in touch with us. Betsy, our Patient Coordinator and our team of care experts are happy to do a consultation with you to understand your needs and help you figure out the next steps.