At Dr. Barrera’s, first and foremost, we want our patients to be comfortable with the decisions they are making about their bodies and potential cosmetic surgery. Sometimes patients have mixed feelings about silicone breast implants because they can rupture without the woman knowing, a phenomenon known as “silent rupture.” In most cases, they will only know after the recommended MRI (recommended after the first three years, and then every two years for the duration of the implants). 

That’s why Dr. Barrera likes offering his patients the choice of the Ideal Implant. We wrote a blog describing the Ideal Implant last fall, and you can read it here. These implants are the newest option for implants, approved by the FDA in late 2014. But they were in development and testing for 10 years prior to that approval. 

Beyond the descriptions in that earlier blog, this month let’s do some comparison shopping, if you will (it is the holiday season, after all!). Here are some statistics patients could find relevant when comparing Ideal Implants with silicone implant options. 

Risk of Capsular Contracture

•     Allergan — 16.2%
•     Mentor — 10.9%
•     Sientra — 11.2%
•     Ideal Implants — 6.6%

Risk of Rupture

•     Allergan — 7.4%
•     Mentor — 13.6%
•     Sientra — 7.2%
•     Ideal Implants — 2.1%

MRI Recommendations

•     Allergan — 3 years, and then every 2 years for life of implants
•     Mentor — 3 years, and then every 2 years for life of implants
•     Sientra — 3 years, and then every 2 years for life of implants
•     Ideal Implants — None

Material Absorbed?

•     Allergan — No (sticks to tissue in breast pocket)
•     Mentor — No (sticks to tissue in breast pocket)
•     Sientra — No (sticks to tissue in breast pocket)
•     Ideal Implants — Yes, body simply absorbs the saline water

Feel of Implant

•     Allergan — Natural
•     Mentor — Natural
•     Sientra — Natural
•     Ideal Implants — Natural

The drawback to saline implants has always been the feel — they have never felt the same as natural breast tissue. That has changed with the Ideal Implant, thanks to its innovative design. 

If you’re interested in breast augmentation with Dr. Barrera, be sure to include the Ideal Implant in your research. Then when you’re ready, give us a call at (713) 468-5200 to set up a consultation.