Ideal Implants

Structured Saline Implants which Combine the Advantages of Saline and Silicone

Dr. Loftus is a big fan of Ideal Saline Implants.

The "Ideal" Saline implant was introduced a few years ago and has become an immediate success as a new alternative in breast implants. It combines the benefits of saline (such as immediate awareness of rupture) with the benefits of silicone (such as a softer and more natural feel). It is a great solution for those women who seek the peace of mind of a saline implant with the look and natural feel of a silicone implant.

Design

These are saline implants with an outer silicone shell, but they also have internal chambers, each of which holds saline. The chambers are both baffled much in the same way that waterbeds are baffled. This reduces movement of the saline, causing the implant to feel more like silicone. Because of the two chambers and internal baffles, these are considered "structured" implants. By comparison, standard saline implants have a single large chamber with no internal baffling, much like a balloon.

Advantages

Ideal Saline Implants feel very similar to silicone implants, which is one of their main advantages. As with other saline implants, there is no "silent rupture" with the Ideal saline implant and routine MRIs are not recommended. If you have a deflation , it will become evident immediately, as your body will safely absorb the saline. Because they are deflated during insertion, the incision size can be small, like standard saline. The deflation rate for Ideal Saline is very low, and even lower than optimally filled standard saline implants. The surface is smooth, and the rate of capsular contracture is lower than that of silicone.

Disadvantages

Ideal implants cost over twice the price of regular saline implants, although the surgeon's fee and other fees should be the same. Also, although they feel far more natural than standard saline, they are not quite as soft as silicone, and this is usually only evident in women with nominal breast tissue.

Summary

Ideal Saline implants are the best solution for women who want a look and feel similar to silicone, but who are concerned about the silent rupture associated with silicone.