Adjustable Breast Implants

Adjustable Saline and Gel Implants
The most common complaint following breast augmentation surgery is the size and shape of the breast. Adjustable implants add a new dimension to breast augmentation by converting a static procedure into a dynamic procedure – The volume can be changed after surgery, thus allowing the patient and surgeon to make changes to the volume, shape and projection after surgery. Adjustable implants include single-lumen saline, double-lumen saline-gel, and adjustable gel.

The Becker/ Mentor adjustable implants are available in several configurations:

• 100% saline
• 25% silicone gel, 75% saline
• 50% saline, 50% silicone gel
• Anatomical shaped known as the CPG Becker 35% Gel 65% saline
• The recently introduced adjustable gel implant 100% gel to 80% gel. The implant is adjusted by injecting saline into a small inner bag. This implant functions like a silicone gel and has the feel and natural shape of the silicone gel implant with the added advantage of adjustability. 

Adjustable Saline and Gel Implants

Saline 25% Gel 50% Gel CPG 35% Gel

Adjustable Saline Implants
The adjustable breast implant which was developed in 1985 by Dr. Becker is used in this procedure. The implant consists of a membrane that is filled with saline via detachable dome. Saline (salt water solution) is added or removed from the implant post-operatively by inserting a thin needle through the skin into the injection dome. Once the patient is satisfied with the size and shape of her breasts, the dome is removed usually three to six months post-operatively. The implant seals at the self-sealing valve. alternativly the injection dome may be exteriorizied and removed one week later.

Empty implant with fill tube Implant filled with fill tube and injection port Implant filled with fill tube and injection port removed

Expansion with internal injection domes

Before Surgery

Implant Expanded Day after surgery Patient not satisfied with size and shape Volume Reduced Patient now satisfied with size and shape

Overexpansion Saline added to implant Injection dome removed

Expansion with external injection domes

Before Surgery

Implant Expanded After surgery injection domes externalized patient not satisfied with size Saline added to implant

Injection dome removed Final result

It is the ability of the adjustable breast implant to correct or improve difficult breast problems such as ptosis, tubular and unilateral breast development that makes this implant so unique. The adjustable-fill breast implant is useful in expanding underlying tissue and generating more breast tissue to create a more natural and symmetrical breast shape. Because these implants can be filled gradually over a period of several months, discomfort is minimized while the skin slowly stretches. In order to avoid the unnatural, hard-looking appearance of some augmentations, especially the upper fullness. Adjustable breast implants can be overfilled, then the volume reduced, allowing the breast to relax, producing a more natural appearance.

Adjustable Gel Implants

Intraoperative Adjutable Gel Implants

Specific Adjustable Implants

Single-lumen saline implant (Spectrum)
The adjustable saline implant functions exactly like a normal saline implant, with the added advantage of volume increase and decrease capabilities.

Double-lumen saline-gel implant (Becker-Mentor)
Model implant names of the double-lumen saline-gel implant are as follows: Becker 50/50, Becker 25/75 and the Contour Profile Gel (CPG) Becker Implants. The Becker 50/50 is composed of 50% gel in the outer chamber and 50% saline in the inner chamber. The Becker 25/75 is a double-lumen implant with 25% gel in the outer chamber and 75% saline in the inner chamber. The CPG Becker is an anatomically shaped implant with 35% gel in the outer chamber and 65% saline in the inner chamber. These implants are mostly used in reconstruction surgery. However, in selective cases they are useful in treating complications of the breast following breast implant surgery.

Becker Adjustable Breast Implants / Expanders

The Becker is the only gel product that gives you the option of a single or two-stage breast reconstruction. These unique products have an inner lumen containing saline that allows for tissue expansion and an outer lumen of gel, that is designed to provide a softer feeling implant. The remote injection dome makes volume adjustments simple and can easily be removed when expansion is complete.

Adjustable gel implant (Spectra)
The Spectra adjustable gel implant is a dual-lumen gel implant. However, it has a small inner chamber that can be filled with saline. Gel percentage in the Spectra can range from 100% to 80% of total volume. The implant can be placed in the patient with or without any saline in the inner chamber. If the size is satisfactory, then the fill tube is removed. The implant for all intents and purposes is then a gel filled implant. If, however, further volume is needed, the inner lumen can be filled to the desired volume before the fill tube is removed. If increased projection is desired, the inner lumen can be overfilled. Projection can thus be increased without decreasing the base diameter. The firmer pressure of the overfilled inner chamber aids in projection but without creating undue firmness, due to the presence of the soft gel. The ability to alter implant size and projection at the time of surgery eliminates the need to discard an implant that does not have the correct dimension. In addition, in the event that the desired gel implant is not available, the Spectra adjustable gel implant can be an ideal alternative because of its flexibility.