Saline and Silicone - Smooth and Textured
Dr Becker prefers using smooth implants because he feels these give the most natural shape and feel, with less tendency to ripple and less tendency to form fluid collections after surgery.
These implants were developed by Dr. Becker and act as short-term “tissue expanders” after reconstruction surgery – and as long-term breast implants. The Becker and Becker 50 are double-lumen implants – with the outer lumen being pre-filled with gel while the inner lumen is filled with saline. The Spectrum is a single-lumen implant filled with saline. All three of these implants can be gradually filled for tissue expansion – until the desired volume is obtained.
- Implants are available in a single chamber filled with saline or a double lumen containing silicone in the outer chamber & saline in the inner chamber.
- Implants can be placed under-filled to avoid excess tension on the incision & reduced risk of cutting off the blood supply to the remaining skin.
- Later adjustability allows you to shape the breast & achieve the size & symmetry you desire.
Adjustable Implants: Gel and Saline
Advantages:
- Volume can be changed after surgery
- Patient has input into final size
- Better able to correct asymmetry
- Better able to treat complications following previous breast surgery i.e., irregularities in shape, capsular contracture, symmastia (disruption of midline)
Disadvantages:
- Injection dome has to be removed (can be buried or externalized)
- If the injection dome is buried, a second minor procedure, performed under local anesthetic, is necessary to remove the infection dome.
- If the injection dome is exteriorized,no further surgery is necessary for removal.
Adjustable Saline Implants: Smooth versus Textured
- Thinner Shell
- More elastic
- May be filled beyond recommended fill volume
- Less rippling and scalloping
- Smooth surface is less abrasive
- Easier to use
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- Thicker shell
- Less elastic
- Must be filled to optimal volume only
- More rippling and scalloping
- Rough surface is more abrading
- More difficult to use
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Advantages:
- Very low leakage rate (cohesive)
- Lighter than saline therefore less tendency to cause sagging if placed above the muscle
- More natural feel
- Less chance of rippling
Disadvantages
- Larger incision necessary
Advantages:
- Smaller incision
- Lower cost
- Slightly less incidence of capsular contracture
Disadvantages:
- Higher leakage rate
- Higher incidence of rippling
- Heavier than gel, therefore preferable placement is behind the muscle to avoid sagging
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