Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation with Saline implants

“Saline breast implants” are made up of a “shell” or “bag” made with  silicone-rubber and filled with saline, a solution made with water and salt which resembles the normal fluids contained in the body.  The shell has a small valve through which the implant is filled.  The valve is in the front of the implant, in the area where usually the nipple would be.

Saline breast implants are the most popular breast implants used for cosmetic augmentation in the USA for the last 20 years.

Saline breast implants:

·         Are firmer than silicone.  Saline implants that are filled to the appropriate size range do feel firmer than silicone filled implants.
 

·         Provide a virtually endless adjustability in size.  This can make them more suitable for someone with some asymmetry (size difference) who wishes for a very accurate size match between the two breasts.
 

·         Are adjustable after the initial procedure.  Adjustable saline filled implants are available and allow for precise adjustment of size up to 6 months after the initial procedure.
 

·         Feel and look more round if filled to capacity or overfilled. Since saline filled implants can be filled to the desired level of firmness, the final firmness of your breast can be more directly controlled.  A firmer, more filled implant will look more round, particularly in the upper pole (the area above the nipple-areola that may show in clothes)
 

·         Are less expensive than silicone filled breast implants.  In general, saline filled implants cost approximately 40% less than silicone filled implants.
 

·         Are visible on mammogram.  Saline breast implants will hide areas of the breast in standard mammogram, so it is important to discuss the presence of implants with the technician or radiologist before the mammogram so that they may take the necessary precautions and special views of the breast.
 

·         Are not lifetime devices.  We cannot define the actual life expectancy of saline breast implants, but a rule of thumb that can be used is that at least another surgery will be necessary in someone’s lifetime.

You should consider saline breast implants if:

·         You want a rounder, firmer look

·         Have at least a B cup breast size.  If you are smaller you may see more wrinkling (also called “Rippling” due to less breast tissue and fat covering the implant.

·         Want to be sure that if the implants leak you would know immediately (because the implants would deflate and go flat)

·         Want to ensure a more accurate size match between the two breasts

·         Want to be able to adjust size of the implants after the initial procedure.  This can be done by adding saline fluid to the implant if a woman desires a further size increase or adjustment after the initial procedure.

Saline breast implants can be inserted via the:

·         Armpit (“axillary” or “trans-axillary”).  This incision is hidden in the armpit so no breast scars are visible. Once healed, it will look like a small wrinkle.  Saline breast implants placed via the armpit incision may be placed in front or behind the muscle.
 

·         Areola-nipple (“periareolar”).  This incision is placed in the lower aspect of the areola (the darker area around the nipple) and usually heals very well and it is barely visible.  Saline breast implants placed via the periareolar incision  can be placed in front or behind the muscle.
 

·         Breast fold (“inframammary”).  The incision is in the lower breast, usually right at the fold between breast and chest skin.  This scar is usually not visible  in normal breast position unless the breast is lifted up.  With this incision the saline implant may be placed in front or behind the muscle.
 

·         Belly button  (“TUBA” or Trans Umbelical Breast Augmentation).  The incision is placed in the upper half of the belly button so there are no scars in the breast area.  With this incision the saline implant is usually placed in front of the muscle.

Saline breast implants can be placed:

·         In front of the muscle.  In this position the saline implants will:

1.      look rounder

2.      will be more easily felt.  The breast implant feels firmer and the edges are more easily felt.

3.      Have a shorter recovery because the muscles are not affected.
 

·         Behind the muscle. In this position the saline implants will:

1.       look less round, particularly in the upper pole (the area above the nipple). 

2.      be higher initially and the settle more over time.

3.      Less palpable.  The muscle will cover the saline implant in the upper aspect and make it less easily felt.  This is particularly important in thinner women with less breast tissue and fat.

4.      Have less chance to form a firmer scar or “capsular contracture”.  Saline filled breast implants placed behind the muscle develop a capsular contracture with about half the rate of saline implants placed in front of the muscle.

Saline breast implants are available in many sizes and shapes.  The most commonly used saline filled implants at New Day Plastic Surgery Center are:

See it for yourself: Virtual Breast Augmentation in San Antonio Texas!

One of the first questions people are likely to ask when considering breast augmentation in San Antonio is: What will I look like? With the advent of advanced computer technology, that question can be answered more thoroughly and clearly than ever.  New Day Plastic Surgery Center has introduced a new tool for women considering  breast augmentation in San Antonio and Texas: the Portrait 3D Surgical Simulation Platform. This new technology is a way for patients to essentially see into the future of their breast implant procedure, and get a glimpse of the most likely appearance the results of their breast augmentation procedure.

Our philosophy is that your best breast augmentation results should be achieved with the very first surgery!  Therefore, accurate planning is essential to achieve exactly the breast augmentation outcome you are looking for, without breast implant adjustments, replacements or other "twicks" that prolong your treatment, increase your costs and ultimately do not give you any better an outcome than a properly, carefully designed procedure.  Whether that is restoring your pre-baby shape, increasing bust size, lifting your breast to their former position, or any combination of these procedure, we specialize in breast surgery and our mission is "Your best breast first!"

How it Works

Our Portrait 3D system is the first and only system available in the area for women looking into breast augmentation in San Antonio, Tx.  This device uses an actual image of the patient relayed onto a computer. The technology allows us to simulate the likely outcome of a breast augmentation surgery, giving patients a visual image of what they can look like before the procedure takes place.  This technique allows patients seeking breast augmentation in San Antonio to view the exact effect of a specific breast implant on their own shape and breast size.   The simulated results can be viewed from all angles, and specific sizes of breast implants can be input into the computer so the patient can see results in a number of different scenarios. Portrait 3D offers precise capture of the surface anatomy, displaying measurements on both the “before” and “after” images so patients can make the most detailed comparison possible. The technology can help patients establish realistic expectations, and better communicate their wishes to us, resulting in a much more precise surgical outcome of breast augmentation.

What’s more, the Portrait 3D Surgical Simulation Platform is a standard part of all of our initial breast augmentation consultations. So, when you ask us what you may look like after breast augmentation surgery… he can now provide you with the most detailed – and visual – answer!

View A Demo

Cosmetic Surgeon San Antonio Breast Augmentation Texas
Plastic Surgery San Antonio

If you are interested in finding a Cosmetic Surgeon in San Antonio,
or Breast Implants in San Antonio, Texas, or Smart Lipo in Texas,  San Antonio or Austin, Dr Mario Diana has years of experience in Plastic Surgery in San Antonio.

 

 

Tummy Tuck | Breast Lift | Breast Implants | Rhinoplasty | Breast Revision | SmartLipo

Dr. Mario Diana is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with a profile located on RealSelf, a  Tummy tuck, Breast Augmentation,  Liposuction and general Plastic Surgery resource.

Dr. Mario Diana is a San Antonio breast augmentation and Texas SmartLipo expert.