Breast Implants in Austin

Understanding your implant options.

Choosing a breast implant is one of the most important decisions in breast surgery. The type, shape, profile, and size you select — and how your implants are monitored and maintained over time — all shape your long-term result. This page walks you through the options Dr. Chow offers and how he helps you choose.

There is a wide range of breast implant options available, offering various types, shapes, sizes, profiles, and textures, including smooth and round varieties. Dr. Chow, at Plastic Surgery of Austin, provides an array of choices, including saline and silicone gel breast implants, form-stable anatomic gel implants, and highly-cohesive silicone gel breast implants, often referred to as "gummy bear" implants. These options are sourced from reputable manufacturers such as Mentor® and Sientra®, as well as the Natrelle Inspira® series by Allergan.

What Are the Implant Types?

SALINE BREAST IMPLANTS

Saline breast implants are FDA-approved for women aged 18 years and older. This historically popular implant option is composed of a saltwater-based solution encased in a silicone outer shell. Saline implants have proved to provide excellent, natural-looking results for a diverse range of patients.

SILICONE BREAST IMPLANTS

Silicone breast implants are widely believed to achieve a more natural look and feel in comparison to saline implants, and they last longer. FDA-approved for breast augmentation patients 22 and over, these conventional implants are composed of thick silicone gel enclosed by a durable outer silicone shell. They are generally considered to be more resistant to issues such as rippling and leakage, and they are typically regarded as an excellent option for patients with a thinner body frame. Since the FDA re-approved the use of the silicone gel implants in 2006, the pendulum has swung greatly in favor of silicone gel due to their natural feel and long-lasting integrity.

MENTOR® BREAST IMPLANTS

Manufactured and distributed by Mentor®, MemoryShape® breast implants are highly-cohesive, silicone-gel filled implants constructed to more closely resemble the look and firmness of natural breasts. MemoryShape® implants are exclusively designed with a SILTEX® Microtexture imprinting process to hold the implant in place. Unlike traditional round breast implants, MemoryShape® implants are designed with more of a teardrop shape, meaning they are thinner at the top and slope gradually into a fuller projection. In addition to MemoryShape® implants, Mentor® also produces MemoryGel® smooth, round implants. The company also now produces the XTRA line of silicone gel implants, which have a higher “gel to shell” ratio. This basically provides a soft silicone gel implant that does not compromise the feel of the implant while “filling the shell” with more, which can further reduce the risk of rippling/wrinkling in patients with very thin tissues. These implants are really ideal for the kind of patient that is looking for a more “saline look” and wants more fullness, but with the better feel of the gel. This implant option comes in a variety of profiles, including the “Ultra High Profile,” which can often provide exceptional results for patients who want their implants to be maximally full without being too wide. Overall, highly cohesive, silicone-gel filled implants from Mentor® are considered to be some of the softest gel implants available, helping them to create an incredibly natural look and feel for a wide variety of patients.

OPUS® BREAST IMPLANTS FROM SIENTRA® – HIGH-STRENGTH COHESIVE (HSC) IMPLANTS

Approved by the FDA and available only to board-certified or board-eligible plastic surgeons, OPUS® High-Strength Cohesive (HSC) gel breast implants are considered to be some of the most natural-looking and natural-feeling breast implants on the market. The newest line is a 5th generation silicone gel that is very cohesive and has very little chance of any rippling/wrinkling. Composed of durable silicone gel, these form-stable implants come in a variety of shapes (round, oval or “classic”) and sizes, with the option of either a smooth or textured outer shell. Depending on their particular size and shape, OPUS® implants can add volume while also producing a proportionate, seamless blend between the chest and the breasts. Additionally, the unique design of these cohesive gel implants has been known to reduce the risk of rippling as well as the probability of gel leakage in the unlikely event of a rupture. Ultimately, OPUS® breast implants may be an excellent option for patients seeking to achieve the most natural look and feel for their breast enhancement results.

NATRELLE INSPIRA® ROUND GEL BREAST IMPLANTS

Developed by Allergan, Natrelle INSPIRA® Round Gel Breast Implants are the newest line in cohesive silicone gel breast implants. They have three cohesions. The Response is the standard cohesive, the Soft Touch Inspira is more cohesive, which can be an excellent choice in revision breast augmentation patients and patients with thinner tissues. Finally, the Cohesive Inspira is the most cohesive gel in the lineup. Natrelle INSPIRA® implants can be an exceptional option for many women seeking to achieve improved fullness and a soft feel. These round, silicone-filled implants have a smooth outer texture and are available in 100 different sizes. In addition, they come in five projection styles to produce a customized fit for every patient. These include extra-full, full, moderate, low-plus, and low profiles. Throughout clinical studies, Natrelle INSPIRA® Round Gel Breast Implants have boasted an extremely high patient satisfaction rating for primary breast augmentation, revision breast augmentation, and breast reconstruction patients. Ultimately, Natrelle INSPIRA® implants can be ideal for helping many individuals attain the increased upper pole fullness they desire without sacrificing natural-looking and feeling results.

How do I choose the right Breast Implants?

Selecting the ideal implant for your unique needs depends on several factors, including your specific goals. When you have a consultation with Dr. Chow, he will provide a comprehensive overview of all available options, meticulously explaining the pros and cons of each choice.

Furthermore, Dr. Chow will take precise measurements of your breasts and chest wall to create a "biodimensional plan." This plan helps identify which implants can be safely accommodated by your breast tissues. After thoroughly exploring all potential choices, Dr. Chow will guide you in choosing the breast implants that align most effectively with your breast augmentation objectives.