Types of Breast Implants
If you feel dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, or require reconstructive breast surgery, you have many choices in customizing a breast augmentation. There are three types of breast implants available at the San Antonio surgical practice of Dr. Constance Barone: traditional saline and silicone, as well as gummy bear implants. To learn more about breast implants and determine which type works best for your goals, contact Dr. Barone today.
What is the Difference between Silicone and Saline Implants?
Silicone and saline implants have exclusive characteristics that are appealing to different women.
Saline Implants
Saline implants consist of a collapsible silicone shell that is filled with saline (salt water) solution. They are filled partially or completely after the saline shell has been inserted into the breast. Because they are filled after insertion, saline implants can be inserted through more types of incisions, including transumbilical breast augmentation, or TUBA, through the navel.
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants are composed of a silicone shell pre-filled with silicone gel, and are available in a variety of sizes. They are fully filled when they are placed within the breast. Many patients say that silicone implants look and feel more natural than saline implants, as they are filled with a gel that mimics the feel of fat. Because of Dr. Barone's expertise in placing implants, both types can result in a beautiful, natural look.
Dr. Barone now offers MENTOR® MemoryShape™ implants as well. MENTOR® MemoryShape™ implants are a special type of silicone implants, often referred to as gummy bear implants. They are comprised of MENTOR® MemoryGel®, which is shaped in a more natural way to resemble the shape of a natural breast. Dr. Barone is one of only a few plastic surgeons in Texas certified to use the MENTOR® MemoryShape™ implants, which come in a variety of volume sizes to match each woman's unique goals.
Saline implants are generally less expensive than silicone and MENTOR® MemoryShape™ implants. During your initial consult, Dr. Barone will help you to better understand the cost of breast augmentation.
IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants
Dr. Barone proudly offers IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast implants at her practice, an advanced implant option that combines the desirable qualities of both traditional saline and silicone gel. IDEAL IMPLANT® is a multi-layered and structured implant that contains saline, but has been designed to feel 
natural, mimicking the feel of silicone gel implants. This quality is made possible by the internal structure of the implant that consists of nested shells and two separate chambers filled with saline solution. This design creates a cushioned feel comparable to a silicone gel and lowers the risk of implant failure by reducing wrinkling and folding, the main causes of implant rupture and deflation.
Dr. Constance Barone reviews the benefits of IDEAL IMPLANT® on Great Day SA.
These unique features can ensure there is a very low risk of silent rupture, and patients only need to look in the mirror to know that their implants are intact. Unlike silicone gel implants, patients who receive IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast implants have the peace of mind knowing that even in a case of rupture, the saline solution filling their implant can be harmlessly absorbed by the body. However, these implants are FDA-approved and have been tested to show a lower capsule contracture rate and a lower rupture rate compared to other breast implants available in the market. You can watch Dr. Barone explain the difference, and how it offers unique advantages over traditional saline and silicone gel implants.
Dr. Constance Barone reviews the differences between IDEAL IMPLANT®, silicone, and saline implants.
Deflation/Rupture (MRI cohort)
FDA Trial Data
PRIMARY AUGMENTATION
| Implant Type | Clinical Trial Period | Deflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| IDEAL IMPLANT* | 6 yr | 1.8% |
| Allergan Gel | 6 yr | 5.5% |
| Mentor Gel | 6 yr | 3.4% |
| Sientra Gel | 6 yr | 5.4% |
| Allergan Saline | 5 yr | 6.8% |
| Mentor Saline | 5 yr | 9.7% |
Capsule Contracture Baker III/IV
FDA Trial Data
PRIMARY AUGMENTATION
| Implant Type | Clinical Trial Period | Capsule Contracture |
|---|---|---|
| IDEAL IMPLANT* | 6 yr | 5.7% |
| Allergan Gel | 6 yr | 14.8% |
| Mentor Gel | 6 yr | 9.8% |
| Sientra Gel | 6 yr | 10.0% |
| Allergan Saline | 5 yr | 11.4% |
| Mentor Saline | 5 yr | 10.1% |
Gummy Bear Implants
The type of implant a women chooses for her breast enhancement surgery can make a significant difference in the resulting shape and feel of her breasts. Gummy bear implants, now available at the San Antonio surgical practice of Dr. Constance Barone, are the newest innovation in breast implants. Dr. Barone is certified in gummy bear breast implant placement, and can help you achieve beautiful results.
The Consultation
During your personalized consultation with Dr. Barone, you will discuss the different types of breast implants she places. By learning more about your goals and lifestyle, Dr. Barone can help determine what type of implant is best suited for you. 
While no type of implant is necessarily better than another, each carries with it unique benefits, considerations, and risks. Gummy bear implants are the newest type of implant available. They have undergone rigorous testing by the FDA, and are as safe as the other types of implants we offer. Dr. Barone is certified to place MENTOR® MemoryShape™ implants, made of the highest-quality silicone and tested for durability.
Why Choose Gummy Bear Implants?
Gummy bear implants contain a cohesive, comparatively firm silicone gel with a consistency reminiscent of gummy bear candies. Gummy bear implants are teardrop shaped. When the are placed within the breast, they create a perky, youthful shape. These implants offer many benefits that can make them an excellent choice, depending upon your goals:
- These implants retain their shape better than silicone or saline implants.
- Implants stay more cohesive after rupture than saline and traditional silicone implants.
- Gummy bear implants have a unique teardrop shape that mimics the look of a natural breast.
- Gummy bear implants come in a variety of sizes and shapes to meet each woman's unique aesthetic goals.
- These implants are great for breast reconstruction because they add not only volume, but shape to breasts.
It is important to note that gummy bear implants always retain their shape. As such, they require larger incisions than saline implants. Also, if they happen to shift, they will drastically alter the shape of the breast, and will require revision surgery. On the other hand, round saline and silicone implants can shift within the breast without changing the shape of the breast. Gummy bear implants can be textured to prevent shifting. You can also greatly increase the likelihood of satisfying long-term results by choosing an experienced surgeon to perform your breast augmentation.
Candidates for the Procedure
Whether you need reconstructive surgery, enlargement, or augmentation for improved appearance, gummy bear implants are FDA-approved for women age 22 and over. Candidates for these and other implants should be in good general health and able to undergo surgery.
Adjustable Breast Implants
When receiving breast implants, it can be difficult to decide on the right size for you. Once you have fully recovered, you may feel unhappy with the final results of your new breast size if it does does not match your desired goals. To help patients gain lasting satisfaction, Dr. Constance Barone offers adjustable breast implants for patients in the San Antonio, TX, area. These implants can be altered in size for up to six months after they are placed, allowing you to achieve the precise results you want. Dr. Barone is renowned for her superior results, extensive training, and dedication to providing the most advanced technology at her state-of-the-art facility.
How Do the Implants Work?
One of the most common causes of revision breast surgery is dissatisfaction with final results. Adjustable breast implants help patients increase or decrease their breast size after surgery for more precise effects that matches their proportions and meets their goals. These specialized implants come with a small injection port or valve that is attached to your implant through a small tube. The port and tube will be left for a period of time after surgery, allowing Dr. Barone to add or withdraw saline post-operatively.
When choosing adjustable implants, you still have multiple options to customize the procedure. Dr. Barone provides implants that have an outer layer of silicone that surrounds the saline, or all-saline implants. You can also choose from different sizes and heights of injection port. You will have an in-depth consultation with Dr. Barone to discuss your options and goals, and she can help you choose the best implants for your needs. She can also discuss your choices for implant placement and the amount of saline the implant will initially be filled with.
Following your surgery, you will return to our office for adjustments to your implant size. You can receive up to 100cc (cubic centimeters) of saline twice a week after surgery, but most patients receive about 50cc at weekly visits. Your injection port will be removed within six months of your initial surgery to avoid risks of infections or other complications. Dr. Barone can complete port removal through the same incision, preventing further scarring. The port removal procedure only requires local anesthetic, so you will not have to undergo full surgery again.
Benefits of Adjustable Breast Implants
Adjustable breast implants are an economical and safe option. Patients who are unsatisfied with their initial results do not have to undergo the entire process of a breast augmentation surgery and recovery multiple times. The risk of potential complications increases with the number of surgeries one undergoes. In addition, these implants offer a variety of options to ensure they can be customized for each patient's unique needs and goals. You can communicate with Dr. Barone to achieve your desired contours.
Breast Implant Risks
The predominant risk associated with breast implants is rupture. Because they are filled with salt water, breast implant revision following the rupture of saline implants is much simpler than replacing a silicone implant. While the implant will need to be replaced, the solution itself will be harmlessly absorbed into the body. Should a silicone implant rupture, it may not become apparent to the patient for a while, as the viscous gel stays in place. Silicone that enters the breast tissue can be more difficult to remove after time.
Dr. Barone is renowned for her superior results, extensive training, and dedication to providing the most advanced technology at her state-of-the-art facility.
A risk associated with both saline and silicone implants is capsular contracture, a condition in which the scar tissue surrounding a breast implant begins to contract, distorting the shape and texture of the implant. Should this happen, the breasts may adopt an aesthetically unpleasant shape, and will need to be replaced. The best way to reduce the risks of breast augmentation is to choose an outstanding surgeon.
Why Choose Dr. Barone?
Dr. Barone is the top plastic surgeon for breast enhancement in the San Antonio area. She constantly innovates, seeking further training to improve upon her vast experience and offers the latest treatments for her patients. Apart from adjustable breast implants, Dr. Barone offers several types of breast implants to suit different needs, including the IDEAL IMPLANT® structured breast implant, an advanced saline breast implant that mimics the natural feel of a silicone gel implant while containing saline for patient safety.
Dr. Barone also focuses on patient education and makes it her priority to explain treatment procedures in detail, including risks and alternatives. With her focused care, you can make informed decisions and achieve your cosmetic dream silhouette.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are considering breast augmentation surgery, Dr. Barone can help you better understand the unique benefits of each type of implant. Contact our office to schedule your consultation today.
