Saline Breast Implants for a 19 Year Old?

Some of the reasons for visible rippling, which tend to be higher with saline implants include:

1. thin skin and minimal breast tissue with visibility of normal folds
2. moderate profile saline implants are more likely to ripple than high profile saline
3. saline are more likely to ripple than silicone implants
4. over the muscle placement are more likely ot have visible rippling than under the muscle
5. weight loss may make rippling more noticeable
6. involutional breast atrophy after nursing may make rippling more apparent
7. breast ptosis (sag) may make rippling more pronounced
8. capsular contracture with "scrunching" of implant causing folds
9. textured surface causing folds and knuckles
10. partial deflation of implant with collapse and folding
11. underfilling of implant
12. flipping of implant

There are two great options to consider: 1. IDEAL implants - these are newly released "hybrid implants" double lumen saline implants made to feel like silicone2. I will place silicone implants in patients under 22 yrs old but first have an informed consent and have them sign a waiver that they are aware that they are being used in "off label' FDA use. #IDEALimplants#breastaugmentation#breastimplants

I'm really not sure why so many of my colleagues who will use Botox daily in crow's feet (Botox Cosmetic is FDA-approved ONLY for treatment of glabellar frown lines--use in other areas is considered "off-label" but is absolutely legal and appropriate for the informed patient who requests this) are so adamant in not using silicone gel implants in well-informed women under age 22 who request them!

SILICONE GEL IMPLANTS ARE LEGAL FOR WOMEN UNDER AGE 22!

Use of silicone gel implants in this age group is considered "off-label" (just as Botox in  crows feet for any age women), and not only appropriate for the woman who is well-informed and consents to and requests their use, but preferable in slim petite women with little breast tissue. The incidence of visible rippling and wrinkling is much higher with saline implants in this type of patient, and silicone greatly reduces these concerns, while also providing a softer, more natural "feel" and NO chance of leakage or deflation EVER.

So find a surgeon who is informed and willing to give you the best results possible.

Sure, waiting is always an option, but will your anatomy or wishes for larger breasts change in 3 years? Or will your ability to accept and understand the informed consent process regarding silicone gel implants suddenly be better once you're 22? That's hogwash! For more information about this whole topic, click on the web reference link below. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

You are correct, rippling is more of a concern with saline implants; especially in a thin patient with minimal breast tissue. Since you are 19 yrs old and not yet eligible for silicone, your options are to wait 3 yrs for silicone or go with saline for now. You can have a natural result if the implant size is not too large and the implant is placed in a subpectoral (under the muscle) location.
Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon prior to your breast augmentation procedure.
Best wishes,
Dr. Bruno

I would suggest that you see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Make sure he or she examines, measures and evaluates your anatomy accurately. Breast implants are either silicone or saline and are used for BOTH cosmetic enhancement as well as Reconstruction. Patients under the age of 22, as you have read from other posts, are not able to receive silicone implants due to an FDA regulation. However, if a patient presents with a reconstructive indication (chest asymmetry for example), then the use is for a reconstructive purpose to improve contour, shape and form.
Just a thought.
Hope this helps!
Dr. C

Unfortunately our frinends at the FDA have decided that 22 is old enough to have silicone implants, so saline is your only option. However, those of us who have been doing this for a while got a lot of experience with saline implants while silicone was under study before being approved. One very important thing is to match the base diameter of the implant to the diameter of your breast; too large of a diamter and rippling will be worse. The other important variable here is fill volume; since the saline implants are filled at surgery, there is a range of acceptable volumes for each implant size. At the minimal volume, the implants will tend to ripple more but feel soft, while at the maximal volume they will be firm and round but ripple less.

In my opinion, there is no good reason why there is an FDA  mandated age of 22 for patients to receive silicone breast implants. There are many patients under the age of 22 who would ( based on their body type and the advantages of silicone breast implants) benefit from the use of silicone gel breast implants. Unfortunately, the use of these implants for these younger patients will negate the breast implant manufacturer warranty.I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

The FDA does not recommend gel implants for women under 22 years of age.  I believe that if a women will get a better result using a gel filled implant and this can be documented by physical examination and photographs then using a gel can be justifed in certain cases.  

Both saline and silicone implants can create a natural good looking result.  Implants that are selected that match a patients chest diameter, that is that are not too big,  and placed behind the muscle are less likely to ripple even in a thin patient.

All types of implants can ripple. The biggest factor is the native breast tissue volune and skin thickness compared to the implant volume.  If you do not have good quality skin and some breast tissue, you are more prone to have it. That is why I like to put most implants under the muscle to cover the upper pole better.