Are textured implants as safe as smooth implants?

Both textured and smooth breast implants have been used in breast augmentation surgeries, and both types have been considered safe for use. However, it's important to note that safety considerations, including the potential risk of complications, can vary based on individual factors, surgical techniques, and implant characteristics.

Here are some key points regarding textured and smooth breast implants:

Textured Implants:

Textured implants were designed to reduce the risk of capsular contracture, a condition where scar tissue forms around the implant, potentially causing firmness or distortion.
The texturing is thought to help prevent the implant from moving within the breast pocket.
Some studies have suggested an association between textured implants and a rare form of cancer called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). However, this risk is considered to be extremely low, and textured implants remain in use.
Smooth Implants:

Smooth implants have a smooth outer surface.
They are generally associated with a lower risk of certain complications, such as rippling or palpability of the implant.
Some surgeons prefer smooth implants for their ease of insertion and mobility within the breast pocket.
Considerations:

The choice between textured and smooth implants often depends on factors such as the patient's anatomy, surgeon preference, and the specific goals of the surgery.
Patient preferences, the desired outcome, and potential risks should be discussed thoroughly during the consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon.
FDA Recommendations:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors the safety of breast implants and provides updates based on ongoing research.
As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, the FDA has made recommendations regarding breast implant safety, including discussions of the risks associated with both textured and smooth implants.
It's crucial for individuals considering breast augmentation or reconstruction to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. A surgeon can provide detailed information about the benefits and potential risks associated with both textured and smooth implants, taking into account the patient's unique circumstances and preferences. Regular follow-up appointments and ongoing communication with healthcare providers are important for monitoring long-term breast implant safety.

BIA-ALCL is a type of lymphoma that can develop around breast implants. BIA-ALCL occurs in patients who have breast implants with textured surfaces. This is a cancer of the immune system, not breast cancer. With that said, your chances of developing this type of cancer is extremely rare, approximately 1 in 300000 people

Textured implants can cause a very rare cancer in the implant capsule called ALCL. The incidence is exceedingly rare but for this reasons most surgeons will use a smooth implants to avoid any risk.

Textured implants have been shown to cause BIA-ALCL. This has never occurred with smooth implants. For this reason, a majority of physicians have stopped using textured implants. Also, if you need a lift, I recommend The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Mildly Sagging Breasts: If your breasts are mildly droopy, a saline or silicone gel implant placed behind the pectoral muscle might help create the illusion of perkiness. That’s because as the implant fills out the top of the breast, it also fills out the bottom, making it look as if the nipple has moved higher. It hasn’t. You can always get a lift later if you feel you are not perky enough when fully settled and healed. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Textured implants are associated with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma and for this reason, major implant manufacturers no longer offer these products in the US.

Textured breast implants have been associated with a rare type of lymphoma called Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). However, it’s important to note that this condition is rare, and the risk associated with textured implants appears to be relatively low. The FDA and other regulatory agencies continue to monitor the safety of breast implants, and new information might have emerged since my last update in September 2021.


Best of luck !

Textured implants have been linked to a rare form of lymphoma in the scar tissue or capsule that forms around the implant. It is technically, not a breast cancer. Textured implants do have a higher rate of breakage and late fluid forming around the implants. Shaped textured implants have more risks of turning and not turning back into position. Smooth implants have a little higher risk of capsule formation than the textured. Altogether, both are safe, but smooth is a little less worry.

Textured implants have been associated with BIA-ALCL, a type of cancer. The risk is very low. The same risk has not been shown in smooth implants. There are pros and cons to different types of implants. It's a good idea to educate yourself so that you can make an informed decision.

I suggest a patient considering having cosmetic surgery have multiple consultations before choosing a provider and scheduling surgery.
Most plastic surgeons prefer smooth or and textured implants, but some still use textured implants. Certain textured implants have been taken off the market because of me small association with a rare form of cancer.
I would probably stay away from textured implants personally, because of the association and potential anxiety that this could cause in the future.
To find the best provider I suggest patient start the process by scheduling multiple in person consultations with local plastic surgeons to do a lot of breast augmentations.
During each consultation, ask each provider to open up your portfolio and show you their entire collection of before, and after pictures of a previous patient who had similar body characteristics to your own. It’s not a bad idea to bring in pictures of your body for reference to use when reviewing before, and after pictures.
An experienced plastic surgeon. It should have no difficulty showing you the before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients.
Being shown a handful of pre-selected images, representing the best result of a providers career is insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results look like in the hands of each provider or how many of these procedures they’ve actually done.
Take careful notes during each consultation, especially regarding the quantity and quality of before and after pictures.
Ask surgeon about the most common indications for revision surgery, what the revision rates are, and what their revision policy is.
Ask each surgeon how they best help patients decide what size and shape implant to use. The method of selecting implants varies quite a bit from provider to provider.
Being bored, certified in plastic surgery, with years of experience in an overall good reputation, does not mean if somebody has mastered anyone single procedure.
In the end, patient’s candidacy for surgery, and the scale of the provider are the two most important variables. For this procedure implant selection is also critically important in maintaining, consistent, long-term quality outcomes.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD