Physical Evaluation
Next, Dr. Durkin examines you. During this phase, Dr. Durkin talks about his surgical plan for achieving your desired result. During this time, Dr. Durkin takes measurements of your body and discusses breast shape with you. If you require a breast lift, then Dr. Durkin shows you why a lift is anatomically required, and a discusses different breast lift techniques such as, his proprietary “internal bra” technique, with you. Dr. Durkin also discusses the overall contributions of posture, bone structure, and breast position to breast symmetry. Dr. Durkin strives in giving you a comprehensive analysis of your anatomy. He correlates your specific anatomy with the best possible breast implant available to achieve your desired goal.
Which Breast Implant is Right for You?
When evaluating breast implants, the choice of implant is a key driver of patient satisfaction. The key again is good preoperative communication. At Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery, we meet with you more than once regarding breast implants in order to give and receive as much information as possible prior to surgery. The more everyone knows, the better everyone does.
Saline vs. Silicone Breast Augmentation
There is a great deal of misimformation regarding saline versus silicone breast implants. Many still are under the impression that silicone implants are unsafe, which is categorically false. Saline implants are supplied as an empty silicone shell with a fill valve. During surgery, the implant is placed into the breast pocket, and is then filled to the appropriate size based on preoperative evaluation and implant dimension. On the other hand, silicone implants come “pre filled”. Both types of implants have advantages and disadvantages. .
Advantages of Saline Implants
Advantage #1 – Smaller incision size. Since the implant is empty prior to your surgery, the incision can be less than 3cm in size, and any sized implant can placed through the same incision
Advantage #2 – Implant rupture detection. If a saline implant gets ruptured, you lose volume immediately, and over the course of hours to days, the diagnosis of a rupture becomes very evident. Removing the ruptured implant and replacing it is usually a simple operation.
Advantage #3 – Cost. This is the absolutely least important advantage. Breast augmentation is not an accessory. It is a lifestyle choice. If you are looking for the cheapest type, reconsider your reasons for having this done.
Disadvantages of Saline Implants
Disadvantage #1 – Rippling. Extremely common with saline implants. This is a design flaw in the implant, and absolutely nobody likes it. For athletic women, saline implants will always cause rippling.
Disadvantage #2 – Less natural feel. A saline implant is just that, an implant filled with saline solution. It will feel different than the feel of your breast. This is unavoidable.
Disadvantage #3 – Swimming. If you swim in cold water with a saline implant, the saline implant temperature balances with the water temperature, while your body remains warm. This can lead to a “turkey is done” effect, which can be socially awkward on the beach or at the poo
Advantage of Silicone Implants
Advantage #1 – Natural feel. No question about it. Silicone implants feel remarkably like the natural breast tissue. Because of this, we see 1-2 patients a week with saline implants requesting a change to silicone. Dr. Durkin has NEVER had anyone ask to go from silicone to saline because they like the “fake feel” better.
Advantage #2 – Safety. Silicone breast implants have been scrutinized like absolutely no other surgical device or prosthetic. The FDA recently completed a 10 year double-blinded clinical trial that clearly demonstrated the safety and efficacy of silicone implants. The cohesive gel implants (i.e., Gummi Bears) are safe.
Advantage #3 – Swimming. Silicone mimics the body tissue. You get less of the “turkey is done” effect.
Advantage #4 – MINIMAL RIPPLING. Almost never see or hear of it unless a very, very large implant is selected in a petite patient. Very common with saline.
Disadvantages of Silicone Implants
Disadvantage #1 – Rupture. If you have an implant rupture, your implant will not deflate. This is a good and a bad thing. With the new cohesive gel implants, the majority of ruptures are completely un-noticed and asymptomatic because the new implants have solid state silicone, not liquid. So, you can have a ruptured implant for years without any problems whatsoever. However, if you have concerns over rupture, you can only diagnose it with an MRI scan.
Disadvantage #2 – Incision size. Silicone implants come prefilled. Because of this, it is common to use a slightly larger incision to place the implant. As well, you cannot have this type of implant placed through the belly button.
Disadvantage #3 – Cost. Again, I shudder to mention this, because it is more of a difference than a disadvantage. A silicone implant is superior in quality, feel, and minimizes rippling. In the end, you are paying for a superior product.