Alexandria Breast Implants
Restore Fullness & Symmetry
Get perfectly proportioned curves — even after pregnancy, weight loss, or general aging — with breast implants from Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery.
Our double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Eric Desman, can help you achieve your cosmetic goals and get the appearance and confidence you desire.
What Are the Different Kinds of Breast Implants?
When it comes to breast implants, the options might seem overwhelming. Our Alexandria and Northern Virginia clinic offers numerous implants for breast enhancement, including variations in shape, size, texture, and materials. It is important to remember that despite these options, the right ones for you depend on your body and specific aesthetic goals.
Structured Implants
Structured implants are filled with saline and contain several implant shells nested together. This innovative structure addresses some of the disadvantages of traditional saline implants. Specifically, the internal structure controls movement of the saline, which produces a more realistic breast movement and a reduction in folding and wrinkling. These implants also feel very natural to the touch.
Additionally, the IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implant is a new type of implant designed by a plastic surgeon. It combines a natural feel with the safety of only saline inside, for peace of mind. With IDEAL IMPLANT®, you can look in the mirror and feel confident that your implants are intact.
IDEAL IMPLANT® is a Structured Breast Implant made from safe and proven breast implant materials and manufacturing processes. It contains no silicone gel or new materials. It has a natural feel because of its unique design with an internal structure. And because the design is patented, no other breast implant company can manufacture or sell the IDEAL IMPLANT®.
Saline Breast Implants
When silicone breast implants were removed from the market for a short time, saline breast implants were the only option available. Since then, they have remained a popular choice. This type of breast implant is filled with saline or salt water after they are fitted in place. Because of this, saline implants are more flexible when it comes to the type of incision that is used.
The volume can also be adjusted to fix an asymmetrical appearance. Since saline occurs naturally in your body, if there is a rupture, the saline is absorbed safely. A rupture will be noticeable almost immediately as the breast size and shape changes.
The drawbacks of saline implants include:
- Rippling effect around the edges of the implant, especially on women with thin physiques
- A potentially unrealistic look for women who have thin or minimal breast tissue
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone implants were reintroduced to the market by the FDA in 2006. Today’s silicone breast implants are vastly improved from the ones previously removed from the market, and they are extremely safe. They are approved for women who are at least 22 years old.
Because silicone breast implants are pre-filled by the manufacturer, the incision made during the breast augmentation surgery will be larger than that of a saline implant. In the event of a rupture, silicone will stay within the implant area due to the cohesive nature of the silicone gel.
Silicone breast implants are noted for their natural appearance, which makes them a popular choice for Alexandria and Northern Virginia patients wanting to maintain a more organic aesthetic.
The potential drawbacks of silicone implants include:
- Difficulty in noticing a rupture since the silicone stays within the implant shell
- MRI is usually the only way to tell if there has been a rupture
Important Breast Implant Considerations
Before anyone in Northern Virginia or Alexandria considers breast implants, there are some important factors to keep in mind. First, these are not lifetime devices - you will likely need to undergo implant removal with or without replacements at some point.
Many of the changes to your breasts after implantation are irreversible, so if you have your implants removed, you might experience cosmetic changes like wrinkling and dimpling.
Since it is difficult to detect ruptured silicone implants just by looking at them or feeling them, the FDA recommends you should have a first ultrasound or MRI 5-6 years after your initial implant surgery and then every 2-3 years thereafter to look for a leak/rupture.
If I have symptoms or uncertain ultrasound results for breast implant rupture, an MRI is recommended. Breast enhancement is an elective procedure, so the surgery and related treatments might not be covered by your insurance. Likewise, your insurance premiums might be raised, coverage can be dropped, or future coverage may be denied.
If you plan on breastfeeding with silicone gel-filled implants, be sure to speak to Dr. Desman before your breast surgery, as these implants may affect your ability to breastfeed. While implants can enhance the shape and fullness of breasts, they cannot prevent sagging. Implants can also make mammograms more difficult, so you’ll need to inform the person doing your procedure so they can make proper adjustments.
Implants greater than 350 cc in volume have a greater risk for complications, including: extrusion, capsular contracture, hematoma, infection, visible skin wrinkling, and palpable implant folds.
The top three complications at four years post-op are: reoperation (23.5%), capsular contracture III/IV (13.2%), and breast pain (8.2%). The top three reasons for reoperation at four years are: capsular contracture (28%), implant malposition (15%), and sagging/ptosis (14%).
During a consultation, Dr. Desman can help patients in Northern Virginia and Alexandria analyze and understand the numerous considerations associated with breast implants.
Contoured vs. Round Breast Implants
In addition to implant type, it’s important to consider which shape will work best for you. Your two options are contoured and round breast implants. While both enhance the chest by adding volume and fullness, the difference is in how they achieve these effects.
Contoured Option
Also known as teardrop implants, contoured inserts have a subtle, sloping shape that is designed to match the look of natural breasts. They have less volume at the top, and then gradually fill out toward the bottom like a teardrop.
For patients seeking a more natural appearance, contoured breast implants are an excellent option. Because these implants are teardrop-shaped, there is the possibility that they will rotate. This means that they require a textured surface to prevent rotation.
Round Option
Women who choose round breast implants are drawn to the way they significantly enhance fullness and cleavage while simultaneously offering lift to the bust. These implants tend to have a more projected appearance, with volume and fullness in both the upper and lower parts of the breasts.
They can have either a smooth or textured surface. In the rare event that they rotate, the breasts will look the same because the implant has an even, rounded shape all the way around.
Speak With Dr. Desman About Breast Implants in Northern Virginia
When considering an augmentation surgery, there are a few different breast implants in Northern Virginia and Alexandria that you need to understand. The ideal option for you depends on your goals, physique, and health, which makes learning about the possibilities key.
Thankfully, Dr. Desman and his team are here for you at every step. They can analyze your situation during a consultation, perform the ideal operation with care, and provide you with the resources and attention you need to recover fully. Call today to schedule your initial consultation.