What is a saline-filled breast implant?

A breast implant is a sac (implant shell) with the outer shell made of silicone elastomer (rubber). The implant is surgically implanted under the breast tissues, and then filled with sterile saline (a salt-water solution) through a valve.

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure done to increase the size
and proportions of a woman's breasts.

What size implant should be used?

Generally, the larger you want your cup size, the larger the breast implant the surgeon will consider (measured in cubic centimeters, or cc's).

The McGhan Medical BioDimensional® Planning System is used with the  Style 468, Style 363, and Style 163 BioCurve™ Shaped Breast Implants to help provide more consistent and predictable results. With this unique planning system, you and your surgeon can consider important dimensions like breast width, height, and lateral protrusion to establish the ideal implant
size and shape to complement your figure. Breast width is significant, because it figures prominently in both cleavage and lateral (sideways from the body) protrusion. No other system provides such exacting techniques to determine what breast implant will work best for you.

Your surgeon will also evaluate your existing tissue to determine if you have enough to cover the breast implant. If you desire a breast implant size too large for your tissue, the doctor may warn you that breast implant edges may be apparent or visible post-operatively. You may even risk surgical complications. Also, excessively large breast implants may not maintainas youthful an appearance over time.

Where is the incision made?

There are three locations that are commonly used to insert the breast implant. The inframammary fold incision is made where the lower portion of the breast meets the chest wall. The periareolar incision is made where the darker tissue around the nipple meets the skin. And the transaxillary incision is made in the armpit. This last incision site usually involves the surgeon using an endoscope
(a small telescope with a video camera) to help with the surgery. Augmentation with all of these incisions can be done in a manner that leaves a minimal scar after healing is complete.

How long does the surgery take?

Breast augmentation surgery times vary due to the surgeon's technique, the location of the incision, and the placement location of the implant. Typically, surgery takes from one to two hours.

Are breast implants available in different shapes?

The most commonly used breast implant has a round shape. The round breast implant will enhance breast size, and may produce a more rounded appearance to the upper breast.

Shaped breast implants are designed to reflect the slope of the breast. With its upper area gently sloping downward and outward, the shaped breast implant is more likely to shape the upper part of your breast with a gentle slope.

Why do some breast implants have a testured surface?

Breast implant shells with a textured surface were designed to reduce the chance of capsular contracture (a hardening of the breast). The BIOCELL® large-pore surface texture, found only in McGhan Medical breast implants, may help hold the breast implant in place.

Are studies available on results with breast implants

There are many studies that were considered by the FDA before McGhan Medical saline-filled breast implants were approved. Results of studies done by McGhan Medical appear in Breast Implant Surgery:

Many other studies were done by independent investigators that show no higher prevalence of cancer or autoimmune disease in patients with breast implants, compared to patients without breast implants.

What are the possible complications?

With breast implant surgery, there are possible complications from the surgery, and from the implant.

Undergoing any surgical procedure may involve the risk of complications such as the effects of anesthesia, infection, swelling, redness, bleeding, and pain.

Possible complications specific to breast implants include deflation or rupture, capsular contracture (a hardening of the breast tissue if it compresses the breast implant), formation of calcium deposits, hematoma (a collection of blood), seroma (a collection of fluid), and changes in breast and nipple sensation. Some other possible complications are related to dissatisfaction with cosmetic results, such as wrinkling, asymmetry, implant displacement, incorrect size or shape, implant palpability, scar deformity, or sloshing. A list of complications and the rate of occurrence is available in Breast

How long will a breast implant last? Breast implants are not considered lifetime devices. You will likely undergo implant removal with or without replacement over the course of your life. What happens if the implant deflates?

The saline solution is quickly absorbed into your body. You would need to have a new implant surgically implanted to replace the deflated implant, in order to regain the volume lost by the deflation.