Louis P. Bucky, MD, FACS
Award-Winning, World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon
Premiere Destination for Finest Injectables & Skin Care
Breast Implants
Since every woman’s body is unique and each patient has different surgical goals, there is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” breast implant. During your initial breast augmentation consultation, our experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Louis Bucky, will talk with you about your goals, answer your questions, and show you a number of different breast implant options so that you can get a firsthand look at the differences. He can also use the VECTRA® XT imaging system, a state-of-the-art technology that allows you to see a projected digital image of how each implant may ultimately look on your own body. Dr. Bucky will review all of your options, including:
- Implant type
- Size
- Shape/Profile
- Incision technique
Dr. Bucky outlines all of the information you need to make an informed decision about your implant selection.
Saline and Silicone Breast Implants
There are two types of implants that are currently used for breast augmentation procedures: saline and silicone. In addition to the lower cost of saline implants, they typically require a smaller incision and cause less scarring compared to their silicone counterparts. These implants are made of a salt-water solution encased in a silicone outer shell. They have been used in breast augmentation procedures for decades with great success. However, saline implants may look and feel less natural than silicone implants because they are heavier and firmer.
Silicone breast implants offer a more natural look and feel, and are not known to cause a “rippling” effect that can sometimes occur with saline implants. They are composed of a thick silicone solution inside a silicone outer shell. Though silicone implants have a lower deflation rate, a ruptured silicone implant can be more difficult to detect. This makes it necessary for all women who have breast implants, either saline or silicone, to do routine self-exams, have the recommended number of mammograms each year, and let their doctor know of any concerns they may have.
Natrelle INSPIRA® Round Gel Implants
Designed and manufactured by Allergan, FDA-approved Natrelle INSPIRA® implants can be a great option for many women seeking to increase breast fullness while maintaining a soft, natural feel. Available with both smooth and textured surfaces, these silicone gel-filled implants have a round shape and come in five different profiles—low, low-plus, moderate, full, and extra-full. In addition, patients have a choice between two gel compositions:
- TruForm® 1 – A relatively soft cohesive gel that reacts to movement and is easily molded into the desired breast shape
- TruForm® 2 – A slightly firmer, more cohesive gel that responds less to movement but maintains its shape a bit better over time
The patient satisfaction rate for Natrelle INSPIRA® implants was remarkably high throughout the entirety of clinical studies, and Dr. Bucky has found the same level of success when using these implants in breast augmentation, breast revision, and breast reconstruction procedures at our practice. By selecting the most appropriate size, texture, and profile for each patient’s needs, Natrelle INSPIRA® implants can help to create improved fullness with exceptionally natural-looking and -feeling results.
Implant Shapes and Projection
Size is not the only aspect of the implant to consider when making your selection. The shape and profile of the implant also play important roles on the look of the final results. Round implants, which are the most commonly used shape, are symmetrical, natural-looking, and are usually not able to rotate out of their position. Shaped gel implants—such as the Natrelle® 410—are designed to mimic the anatomical shape of a breast and provide a natural shape for women whose breasts lack a significant profile.
In addition to shape, profile selection allows patients to choose the projection of the implant. Patients can choose among low, moderate, and high profile implants, depending on their individual aesthetic goals.
Incision Types
At Dr. Bucky’s private practice, patients have the option of two different incision types for their breast enlargement surgery: inframammary and transaxillary. Inframammary incisions are made beneath the breast near the natural fold. In addition to providing Dr. Bucky with a greater degree of control over the position of the implant, patients often benefit from a faster recovery and reduced visible scarring. Additionally, since the natural breast tissue is not altered, patients are typically still able to receive routine breast exams and breastfeed normally.
Transaxillary incisions, typically used for saline implants, are performed endoscopically through the armpit. This incision type requires a slightly longer recovery, but the scar is nearly invisible afterward.
Contact Our Office
To learn more about breast implant options, or to schedule a consultation at our practice, please contact Dr. Bucky today.
Dr. Bucky has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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