As a woman, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a patient with breast implants, I can critically look at this question from several vantage points. I have used both saline and gel implants in my practice. I have saline implants myself and they are about 14 years old.FEEL we're long overdue in having a new choice in selecting an implant, particularly one that offers the BEST of gel and saline. The traditional saline have minimal drawback. The biggest criticisms being that they feel stiffer or firmer, or that the shell is more palpable/rippling. These criticisms are a bit overblown especially when you take into account that the majority of women selecting implants are very lean and with little chest mass to offer soft tissue coverage to conceal the implant. Over time, any implant (gel of saline) will be more superficial and the shell will be palpable, particularly laterally and inferiorly. Both implants reflect some rippling in these areas. Saline implants can be firmer IF over filled, which is why it is important for the surgeon to keep within the mid range on volume addition. When they are correctly filled, few people would know by touch if it is saline or gel. I know this because any patient that wishes to know, can test mine. LEAK DETECTION I like saline because I never had to stress over getting an MRI to detect a leak. OR, pay for an MRI. Personally, I wanted to know if there is a leak. Gel does not offer that benefit. And, if there is a leak in saline within the warranty period, I'll know and my revision surgery will be covered. And, the IDEAL warranty if for a lifetime. Few women with gel actually follow through on getting an MRI and may not have the advantage of warranty coverage at the time a leak is finally noted. Replacement may be an out of pocket cost. IDEAL offers a unique advantage by it's dual chambers: If a leak occurs it is unlikely the implant will fully deflate- the inner chamber volume is likely to remain. This is advantageous because the urgency or pressure for women to get in for immediate revision is reduced, we can live with this til we can plan the time for replacement. SAFETY Further, IDEAL is absolutely SAFE. No one can argue otherwise. We are learning that gel has some unique medical issues/risks that may prove to be substantial. That is reason for every women to pause in making the gel selection. Regrettably, this is not being discussed in medical offices to the extent that it should be. There is no cancer risk with IDEAL. Mammograms are fine with IDEAL.IDEAL is only available to Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, ensuring that only those surgeons with the highest credentials and most rigorous training are qualified to offer the ideal product to women.CAPSULAR CONTRACTION The 6-7 year track record on IDEAL shows lower capsular contraction rate compared to Allergan, Mentor (saline and ge); in both subglandular and submuscular positionsLEAK RATE The 6-7 year track record, again, show reduced leak ratesPROFILE The IDEAL Implant can offer both high and moderate+ profiles based on the fill volumeASYMMETRY The IDEAL Implants can be individually adjusted to minimize asymmetry.COST I note that some of my colleagues have commented that the price of IDEAL is and will be high. Not true. As testimony to the integrity of the founder and developer of IDEAL (Dr Robert Hamas, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon), the cost of IDEAL is LOWER than gel. In summary, women finally have a fantastic option for a breast implant! Personally, I have been waiting for something like this for many years. I was never sure what I would do if I had to replace my implant. There is no question that I will choose IDEAL!Click the link below for more information. Enjoy!In good health,Ellen Mahony, MD
