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Breast Implant Options in Las Vegas

Dr. Cambeiro is a board-certified plastic surgeon offering saline and silicone gel breast implants in Las Vegas, Nevada. If you live outside of the Las Vegas area, please contact us to learn more about our fly-in program.

A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or a salt-water solution known as saline.

Silicone-filled Breast Implants

• The breast implants in use today in the United States all have a silicone shell. As a result of FDA restrictions in 1993, first-time breast augmentation patients may only receive saline-filled breast implants.
• Prior to 1993, silicone-filled breast implants were available for augmentation. These breast implants had the advantage of a more natural feel. Due to concerns regarding various medical conditions, including autoimmune disorders in women, the use of silicone-filled implants is limited to FDA sanctioned clinical studies.
• Since 1993, however, numerous studies have been performed upholding the safety of silicone-filled breast implants. It is likely that in the coming years, silicone-filled breast implants will return to the market.

Saline-filled Breast Implants

• The saline-filled breast implants in use today come in various forms. The silicone shell may be smooth or textured. Dr. Cambeiro prefers the smooth kind because of the problem of visible wrinkling and unnatural feel that been associated with textured breast implants.
• Breast implants also come in two shapes, round and anatomical. The "anatomical" breast implant has a tear drop shape that theoretically creates a more natural looking breast. In practice, however, the round and anatomical breast implant has the same appearance when implanted and the anatomic implant carries the risk of an unnatural feel and possible malrotation. Dr. Cambeiro prefers the round implant with varying degrees of projection (mild, moderate and high).

Placement for Breast Implants

• There are two possible locations for placement of the breast implant. The implant can be placed beneath the breast tissue, but on top of the pectoralis muscle. The second, more common method is to place the breast implant beneath the pectoralis muscle, between the pectoralis and the ribs.
• The advantages of placing the breast implant above the muscle is that it is less painful for the first few days and the appearance of the implanted breast matures faster. In addition, contraction of the pectoralis muscle, more noticeable in body-builders, has no effect on the appearance of the breast.
• The advantages of placing the breast implant under the muscle are several. First, it provides a more natural appearing breast with a better transition from the upper chest to the breast mound. Second, the rates of scarring around the breast implant are significantly lower when the implant is placed beneath the muscle. Third, the risk of visible ripples or folds in the implant envelope (a more common problem with saline than with silicone implants) is diminished because of the greater amount of the patient's own tissue overlying the prosthesis. Fourth, the ability to obtain an adequate mammogram is enhanced with placement under the muscle. As the mammogram technician is better able to separate the breast from the breast implant when the muscle is interposed. Lastly, there is minimal to no change in chest wall muscle strength when placing the implant under the muscle. With the exception of patients who are body builders, Dr. Cambeiro recommends the sub-pectoral technique to his patients.

Incision Choice for Implants

The three most common approaches are:

1. Inframammary— Is at the crease between the base of the breast and the chest wall.
2. Axillary— Is through the armpit. When using this incision Dr. Cambeiro uses an endoscopic camera (the size of a pencil) to visualize the important boundaries of the breast and insure proper placement of the breast implant.
3. Areola— Is through the junction between areola and surrounding skin.

Read more about Breast Implant Incision

Every plastic surgeon has their preference for incision and each approach has its benefits and disadvantages. No one way is correct all of the time. Dr. Cambeiro varies his choice of incision depending on the specific characteristics of the individual. To produce a pleasing appearing breast in implant surgery, a pocket below the breast must be created with very specific boundaries

Always discuss all of your concerns and expectations with your doctor before your procedure date.

If you are considering breast augmentation, Las Vegas plastic surgeon Dr. Cambeiro invites you to request a complimentary consultation or give our office a call at (702) 566-8300 for confidential and informative answers to all your questions. If you prefer, you can send us an email using our discreet online form.