Breast enhancement is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures available. Breast surgeons have been performing this procedure for over 40 years. There have been major advances in the past decades for breast implants. The current implants available are the safest and most natural looking, and a new type of breast implant is under study for approval in the United States.
There are three types of breast implants currently marketed in Europe. These breast implants all have certain benefits and the one chosen depends on your body type and the look you desire. The three types of implants are:
- Saline Implants
- Silicone Gel Implants
- Form-Stable (Gummy Bear) Implants
Form-Stable silicone implants are not yet approved for marketing in the United States, but some doctors may use them. This is considered an off-label usage, but is permitted by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.
All three implant types have their advantages and disadvantages. All three implants are extremely safe and give the desired results to women around the world.
Saline Implants
Saline implants have the huge advantage of being filled after they are inserted into the breast. This advantage allows for more incision placement options and a smaller scar after the procedure. The breast surgeon is also able to fill the implants to the desired volume and adjust as necessary during (and sometimes after) the procedure because the implants are not pre-filled.
Silicone Gel Implants
Silicone gel implants are ideal for women with less elastic skin because they do not stretch the skin like saline implants. These implants are less likely to sag over a long duration of time and they do not leak or run if ruptured or cut. The breast implant technology used for silicone gel implants is relatively new with the assurance of being time-tested, safe, and giving excellent results.
Form Stable Implants (Gummy Bear Implants)
Form stable implants are more commonly known as Gummy Bear Implants. They get their name for the filling that makes up the implant. The filling is pliable, soft, strong, and cohesive. These implants can be pulled, pushed, twisted, or cut and they will never lose their shape.
Gummy Bear Implants are the newest type of breast implant and they were invented in the early 1990s. They are not FDA approved and are still being tested for their safety and effectiveness. Gummy Bear Implants are common and very popular in Europe even though they are still being tested in the United States.
Breast Implant Technology
There is no reason to put off getting breast enhancement. The safest and most effective breast implants are available to you now. You can wait a few decades for the newest technology, but there is no telling what that technology will be or when it will be FDA approved and time tested.
