Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift
Breast Reduction
Breast Augmentation Revision
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One of America's Top Plastic Surgeons by Consumer Research Council
Diplomat, Board Certified, American Board Plastic Surgery
Breast Implant Choices: Saline or Silicone, Incisions, Placement & Sizing
Saline or Silicone?
Dr. Houser uses both saline and silicone breast implants for breast augmentation. During your breast augmentation consultation in our Columbus, Ohio office, both types of implants will be available for you to see, feel, and compare. Dr. Houser is also happy to answer any questions that you have about breast implants.
About Saline Breast Implants
Saline implants are approved for all women over the age of 18. Saline implants are filled with a sterile salt water solution. Dr. Houser can adjust the volume or fill level of saline implants during your surgery. Saline implants are slightly less expensive than silicone. If a saline implant ruptures, the implant will deflate and the saline solution is simply absorbed into the body.
About Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone implants are available for all women who are over the age of 22 who are having breast augmentation, and women of all ages who are having breast reconstruction surgery. Silicone implants were taken off the market for 14 years while extensive research was conducted to study their safety. No evidence was found linking silicone implants to any negative health related issues.
The silicone breast implants that Dr. Houser uses (Mentor Memory Gel Implants) are composed of a cohesive silicone gel. Silicone breast implants come pre-filled in various volumes (cc’s). Because the implant is made up of a cohesive gel, if it ruptures, it will not “deflate,” but instead it will hold its shape.
Although this is a very personal decision, most of our Columbus, Ohio area patients who are concerned about having the most natural feeling breast implants usually choose silicone.
**Sometimes silicone implants are referred to as “gummy bear” implants, but gummy bear implants are actually slightly different (although they are also silicone) from regular silicone implants. Gummy bear implants are currently available only in clinical trials, while their safety is being studied.
Breast implant profiles
The breast implants that Dr. Houser uses come in three profiles “moderate” “moderate plus” and “high profile.” The profile refers to how far the implant projects out from your body as well as to the width of the implant at its base. Dr. Houser will help you decide on an implant size and profile based on your desired outcome (the changes you would like to see in your breasts) and your anatomy (the width of your chest as well as your overall body size and proportion).
Breast Implant Placement
During breast augmentation surgery the implants are either placed above the muscle (subglandular) or below the muscle (submuscular). Although Dr. Houser usually recommends submuscular placement of breast implants, some patients are better candidates for subglandular breast augmentation. This is something that Dr. Houser will discuss with you and make recommendations on during your breast augmentation consultation in our Columbus Ohio office.
Breast Augmentation Incisions
Breast implants are inserted through an incision either at the breast crease (inframmary), at the edge of the areola (periareolar) or in the underarm area (transaxillary). Although some surgeons do use other incisions, these techniques are not recommended by Dr. Houser and are not widely accepted by most ABPS board certified plastic surgeons.
During your breast augmentation consultation in our Columbus Ohio plastic surgery office, Dr. Houser will help you decide which incision will work best for you.
Breast Implant Sizing
Nothing in the breast augmentation decision process causes as much anguish as sizing. Understandably, women often worry that will go too big and also worry that they won’t go big enough. One way to try them on for size is to use the rice test in the privacy of your home.
The Rice Test
Measure uncooked rice into a plastic baggie or cut the foot/ ankle section out of a pair of pantyhose and use it. Fill the baggie or footie with different amounts of rice, spread out evenly in a non-padded bra. Wear with a snug t-shirt and various styles of clothing and see what you think. After you do this, talk about it with Dr. Houser at your next appointment. (Measurements are approximate)
- 1/4 cup of rice = 59cc’s
- 1/2 cup of rice = 118 cc’s
- 3/ 4 cup of rice = 177 cc’s
- 1 cup of rice = 236 cc’s
In general, you will increase a bra cup size for every 150cc’s that you add.
For more information or to schedule a consultation contact our office.
