Plastic surgeons perform nearly 100,000 breast augmentations each year. Thanks to recent advances in breast implant design, technology and surgical techniques, there has never been a better time to consider breast augmentation. Many women consider breast augmentation to enhance the size of their breasts, but others are more interested in obtaining a little "lift" or filling up the loose skin which has resulted from pregnancy or breast feeding. Breast augmentation is not the answer for everyone, but many women feel it has helped improve not only their appearance, but also their self-confidence. Deciding if breast augmentation is right for you requires a thorough understanding of the procedure and recent advances.

FDA Approved Silicone Implants are Now Available.

There are now more options available for patients seeking primary breast augmentation.  Previously, a patient who was seeking a breast augmentation procedure would not be offered silicone gel implants as an option, unless they met specific criteria to enter the Silicone FDA Adjunct Study.  Dr. Short was an active participant and main investigator in the FDA approved silicone study with both implant manufacturers, Mentor and Inamed, with enrollment of over a hundred patients for the last 8 years.  After extensive research and studies involving more than 120,000 patients across the United States, the FDA has approved silicone gel implants in the U.S.  This is the most studied device in the history of the FDA.  Dr. Short is committed to patient safety and patient education and is excited to be able to offer this choice.

Silicone gel implants are advantageous because they offer a softer feeling implant and more natural appearance after surgery.  Silicone implants also decrease the risk of implant wrinkling.  For patients who do not have ample breast tissue for good coverage of an implant, silicone implants offer a more natural option compared to the saline implant.  Silicone implants offers the touch and feel resembling natural breast tissue.

Silicone gel implants feature a unique cohesive silicone, not a liquid or semi-liquid, allowing the substance to hold together uniformly.  This physical property allows the silicone to remain intact even with such an event as a rupture to the shell of the implant.  This revolutionary technology offers patients a choice unlike any other.  We are dedicated at the Gillian Institute to provide you with the knowledge and information to make an educated decision for yourself.  The selection process is a very personal choice and you should feel very comfortable with using silicone implants prior to proceeding with surgery.

How do I choose an implant?
Saline implants are currently the most popular type of implant in America. Saline is simply a salt water solution which is normally found in the body, so it is safely absorbed if a leak should occur. Although uncommon, if an implant does leak it must be replaced.

The use of saline implants has been associated with a significant decrease in the risk of contracture, or scarring, around the implant which can cause hardening in some cases.  Saline implants can provide a natural breast shape with a softer feel compared to the anatomical or textured implant. 

The smooth round implant has a thinner, softer implant shell implant by design.  The anatomical implant can provide a more natural upper pole in patients who are looking to increase their breast volume by two or more breast cup sizes and who have minimal breast tissue.  The anatomical implant is shaped like a tear drop and due to the shape, it is extremely important that the implant remain upright.  To decrease the risk of implant rotation in the body, the implant has a textured surface to increase the adherence in the body, making it more difficult for the implant to turn in the body.  However, this texturing component on the anatomical implant makes the implant feel more firm and hard and increases the risk of implant wrinkling.  For patients whom have minimal breast tissue for good coverage of the implant and are concerned with appearing "too round" with a smooth round implant; a round implant can be placed under the muscle (subpectoral) to achieve an anatomical appearance.

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