Saline Breast Implants
Surgery to make breasts larger or fuller is called breast augmentation. Breast augmentation is the second most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States behind liposuction. The surgery is done to restore volume that may have been depleted after weight loss or pregnancy. It is also done to create a fuller appearance that did not occur during the normal growth process. Augmentation may also be performed in conjunction with reconstructive surgery after a trauma or catastrophic illness.
A breast implant is a sac made of silicone that can be filled with either salt water (saline) or silicone gel. Of the two types of breast implants available, saline or silicone, the saline breast implant is the most frequently used implant in the country. Made from a strong silicone shell, the saline implant starts out empty at the time of surgery. During the procedure the surgeon will fill each implant with sterilized normal saline after it is positioned correctly in the chest wall. The shell is made with a self sealing valve that once filled to the appropriate size will seal itself closed.
Saline implants come in several sizes and shapes to allow for a customized fit for various body types. The size and shape of the implant is usually agreed upon by both the patient and the surgeon prior to the surgery. The actual implant can be smooth or textured, round or “anatomical” shaped. Implants are offered in a variety of sizes that can be filled from 120 cc- 850cc of saline. Larger sizes can be offered, however special customization is required.
The implant can be inserted either under the chest muscle (submuscularly or subpectorally) or above the chest muscle behind the breast tissue (subglandular). When performing augmentation the surgeon has 4 routes of insertion available to place the implant. The infra-mammary crease is when the incision made is placed under the fold of the breast. The areola incision is when the incision is made around the nipple. A trans-axillary incision is made in the crease of the armpit. Lastly the transumbilical breast augmentation otherwise known as a TUBA is when the incision is made inside the belly button and the implants are guided up through the abdomen and placed above the muscle.
Some complications of a saline breast implant surgery can include capsular contractions (scar tissue that forms around, tightens and squeezes the implant), leakage or rupture. Saline implants are considered safer than silicone implants because should a rupture or leak occur the body will absorb the liquid without incident. Talk to your plastic surgeon about your cosmetic expectations to determine if breast enhancement with saline implants is right for you. |
