Patients considering breast implants in Los Angeles now have more breast implant options than ever before. Two brands of silicone gel implants received FDA approval in 2006 after more than a decade of careful clinical studies. Saline implants, which I now use less commonly, are still a smart choice for some. There are now far more implant styles, sizes, shapes and textures available to accommodate the needs of every breast augmentation patient.
For a 22-year-old, this woman's breasts drooped significantly, making them appear older. She wanted to find a Los Angeles breast implants specialist who could give her breasts a fuller and more youthful appearance. She came to Dr. David Stoker's practice to discuss her options with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.Because her breasts... Read More
The two main categories of breast implants are silicone gel or saline-filled implants. Silicone gel implants have been popular since the early 1960’s, and they have gone through multiple generations of improvements since that time. From 1992 to 2006, the FDA restricted the use of gel implants while carefully controlled studies were performed to confirm their safety. Because extensive studies demonstrated that the silicone gel implants are safe, the FDA the implants for use in patients age 22 years and older.
Educated at some of the most elite institutions in the country, Dr. David Stoker uses his highly advanced knowledge to ensure that each patient achieves beautiful, harmonious results — whether it's through a simple non-surgical procedure or a more advanced surgical transformation. Learn more about his unique credentials and his approach to plastic surgery.
The main advantage of silicone implants is that they feel more natural than saline implants. Gel implants are less prone to rippling than saline, which makes them particularly advantageous for thin patients. The current generation of silicone implants is cohesive, meaning that the gel is viscous enough that even if the implant ruptures the gel tends to remain in the same place. The cohesive gel implants are an important advance in implant technology.
I am one of several surgeons in Southern California conducting a clinical trial on a new generation of cohesive gel implants. The gel is firmer than the current FDA-approved options. In theory, the implants may be even less likely to ripple or rupture. This newest generation of implant is most popular outside of the United States. In the U.S. we will await the FDA ruling on the current clinical trial to determine if the implants will become widely available. Participants in the clinical trial must be at least 18 years of age. Other restrictions apply as well.
Sientra® Breast Implants
A newer cohesive gel implant giving women more options. Dr. David Stoker offers the latest FDA-approved silicone breast implants including gel implants by Sientra.
Saline implants have a long record of safety and are less expensive than silicone gel implants. Because they are placed when they are empty and filled once they are inside the breast pocket, the access incisions may be even smaller. When a saline implant leaks, most of the saline from the implant is rapidly and harmlessly absorbed by the body. The deflation is usually obvious, and the patient returns for removal and replacement of the saline implant. This may be done under local anesthesia if the patient is an appropriate candidate. The primary disadvantage of saline implants is that they don’t look or feel as natural as the silicone gel implants. This is a particularly important issue for women who are thin or have decreased elasticity of their skin.
Anatomical Versus Round Implants
Breast implants come in a large variety of sizes and shapes. In choosing an implant shape, it’s important to understand that the implants look different when they are placed behind a breast than when they are sitting on a shelf. Round implants, for instance, take on a more anatomical shape when they are placed under the muscle. The pectoralis major muscle compresses the upper portion of the implant, creating a teardrop shape. Gravity has a similar effect on the implant when the patient is in the standing position. I believe round implants under the muscle are the best option for most patients.
Anatomical implants may have some advantages in select cases. In theory, because the implant has the shape of an ideal breast, it should give the most natural result. In practice, however, there are many other variables that affect the final outcome of the surgery. It is uncommon for the anatomical implants to appear more natural than round implants, in my experience. The anatomical implants also require an incision underneath the breast for appropriate positioning, and this limits incision options for patients choosing these implants. There’s a small chance that the anatomical shaped implant may rotate, creating an unnatural bulge that may require the implant to be repositioned with another operation. Round implants do not have that disadvantage.
Our expertise extends beyond plastic surgery. We offer an extensive range of non-surgical treatments administered by our talented, experienced team of aesthetic providers under the guidance of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Stoker.
If you have a treatment in mind, review our complete offering of non-surgical services. If you need a little help deciding, narrow down your options with our interactive treatment planner.
When you describe the concept of fat transfer procedures to patients, their faces tend to light up. “You can take fat from an area where I don’t want it and then put it where it will make me look better?” Fat transfer can offer the best of both worlds for the right patients. Even though… Read On
If you’ve been researching breast augmentation, you’ve probably noticed that most women’s goals are to have breast implants that look natural. What looks natural to someone in Miami, Las Vegas, or New York, however, may be different from what a breast augmentation patient in Los Angeles considers natural. At my Los Angeles plastic surgery practice, I’ve developed… Read On
Even though women know pregnancy changes their bodies, the physical toll it can take still comes as a bit of a shock for some mothers. It can also be a source of frustration to women who dedicate themselves to regaining their pre-pregnancy bodies by leading healthy lifestyles but still can’t regain their confidence. And confidence… Read On