Saline and silicone breast implants are FDA-approved devices with an outer shell filled with either sterile salt water or silicone gel, approved for patients 18 and 22 years and older, respectively. Silicone implants tend to look and feel more natural than saline. A third option, cohesive silicone gel implants—also offered by Holzapfel + Lied Plastic Surgery—provide an even softer, more natural feel, resist wrinkling, and better maintain their shape and integrity in the event of a rupture. These implants are available in various models to help balance body proportions.
Breast augmentation involves inserting an implant behind each breast, typically under general or twilight anesthesia. The incision—usually about 1½ inches long—is made in the breast fold, around the areola, or in the armpit, and generally fades over time. Implants are placed either behind the breast tissue or beneath the chest muscle. Patients may experience soreness for 24 to 72 hours and swelling that takes several weeks to subside, though most return to work within a few days. Many women are still able to breastfeed after the procedure.
Breast implants require regular self-exams and mammograms. Though generally low-risk, complications can include capsular contracture (tightening around the implant), infection, changes in nipple sensitivity, and implant rupture over time. Most issues are treatable, and placing the implant under the chest muscle can reduce certain risks.
*The photos in this gallery are a representative sample with a goal to provide realistic expectations for post-operative results and may not be your surgeon’s patient.
