Breast Implants
Portland, OR

Types of Breast Implants

Breast implant shells may have a smooth or textured surface. As a natural reaction to any device placed in the body, scar tissue will form around the breast implant surface, creating a soft tissue capsule. In some women, the capsule can tighten and squeeze the implant. This occurrence is called “capsular contracture”. 

Smooth Breast Implants 

We usually recommend smooth breast implants when round implants are used. The rare form of lymphoma that can occur around breast implants, called ALCS, does not occur with smooth implants. Also, smooth implants are softer and feel more natural than textured breast implants. Smooth implants move with the breasts better than textured implants.  

Textured Breast Implants

Textured breast implants were designed to reduce the chance of capsular contracture and to hold teardrop implants in position. With the correct technical approach, smooth-shell implants give the same capsular contracture rates as textured implants.  

Teardrop Implants Must Be Textured

All teardrop implants require a textured surface to prevent rotation of the implant within the breast. If a teardrop implant rotates (for example, upside-down), then the breast will be misshaped. We now only use textured implants when a teardrop implant is used. 

Breast Implant Before and Afters

View Breast Implant Gallery

Breast Implant Safety

The results of the vast body of information on breast implants have led to the worldwide acceptance of silicone breast implants as an appropriate means to enhance and reconstruct the female breast. 

Breast implants are among the most extensively studied medical devices available to patients. Concerns about breast implants, breast cancer, and connective tissue diseases have been addressed in many publications and forums. 

Breast Implants And Breast Cancer

The Institute of Medicine reported in 2000: “Evidence clearly shows that silicone breast implants do not cause breast cancer or the recurrence of breast cancer. In fact, some studies suggest that women with breast implants have fewer new or recurring cancers.” 

Breast Implants And ALCL 

Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) is an exceedingly rare form of cancer that can occur because of breast implants. It is only caused by textured shell implants. We use smooth breast implants, so this risk is essentially eliminated in our patients. In cases where textured implants are used, we use textured implants with an extremely low risk of causing ALCL  

Breast Implants And Autoimmune Diseases

Research and evidence suggest that such diseases are no more common in women with breast implants than in women without them.” 

Breast Implant Safety Update

In 2011, the FDA published an update on the safety of silicone implants. They reviewed the most recent studies on implant safety. In addition, the recent data was compared to historical safety data. The evidence reaffirms prior studies; that silicone gel implants are safe devices for breast augmentation and reconstruction.  

Are Breast Implants Always Trouble-Free?

Though breast implants have not been shown to cause systemic disease, certain uncommon conditions can occur after the placement of breast implants. Some of those issues include firm scar tissue formation around the implant (capsular contracture), deformation of the breasts, calcium deposits in the tissue around the implant, nodule formation around an implant (silicone granuloma), pain, and changes in nipple sensation. 

Though these complications are not the norm and can usually be successfully managed, we mention these concerns because breast implant placement – like any surgery – has its risks that patients should be aware of. 

Women considering breast augmentation must recognize that breast implants add an increased level of complexity to the maintenance of the health and aesthetics of the breasts. And that once implants have been placed, additional implant-related surgery will likely be needed at some point in a woman’s lifetime. 

Breast Implant Patient Story

Understanding Breast Implant Options: Shape, Texture, Fill

Shape and Texture

There are two basic breast implant shapes: Round and Teardrop. Understanding the differences in these designs is central to your implant selection. 

A key advantage to round implants is that a soft, smooth implant shell can be used. The smooth shell is less likely to be felt than a textured shell. The smooth shell tends to cause fewer implant ripples, decreasing the chance of visible implant rippling through the skin. And smooth implants are not associated with causing ALCL. 

The teardrop implant requires a textured shell. We only use textured implants when a teardrop implant is desired. 

Fill

Breast implants are filled with either saline or silicone gel. Millions of women have had successful breast augmentations with saline and silicone breast implants. So, which breast implant is best for you? There are important things to consider: We break down the issue into four key points: the actual aesthetic appearance achieved, the feel the breasts have after implantation, the implications of implant failure, and the impact of the implants on the maintenance of breast health. With the advanced technology now available with silicone implants, Dr. Connall recommends, and nearly every woman in our practice chooses silicone breast implants.

Schedule Your Breast Implant Consultation

Find out more about breast implant shape, texture and fill. Contact our in Portland office for more information on breast implants or to schedule a consultation. Call Esprit® Cosmetic Surgeons at (503) 783-0544 or use our online form today.