This is Why the Ideal Implant is Revolutionary

Women are demanding more from breast implant manufacturers—and even their plastic surgeons. They want the natural feel of a silicone implant but the safety of saline.

Until recently, this mashup was unheard of. But the call has now been answered in the form of the Ideal implant.

About the Ideal implant

Manufacturers, and even plastic surgeons, are constantly looking to improve the shape, durability and function of breast implants. After years of research and testing, a new, innovative implant is on the market: the Ideal implant.

Approved by the FDA in 2014, the Ideal implant is a saline-only breast implant option designed by a plastic surgeon.

The design includes two saline implant lumen that hold saline filler. They are attached at the back of the implant shell at the patch. These shells are similar to the shells used in standard saline implants available today.

(You can read about the silicone elastomer composition of saline implant shells in the article about breast implant components).

The inner “baffle shells” work as an internal structure to control the movement of the saline filler. The baffle shells range in number from one to three and have small perforations or slits to allow movement of the saline.

The Ideal Implant contains two fill valves to allow the implant to be filled after placement, partially filled before placement, or completely filled before placement.

The inner lumen is filled by a valve located at the back of the implant in the implant patch. The external lumen is filled by a valve located at the front of the implant.

Why plastic surgeons choose the Ideal implant

According to IdealImplant.com, "The internal structure controls movement of the saline, and is designed to reduce folding and wrinkling, thought to be the main cause of implant rupture and deflation.

On the outside, the edges have been lowered for better contouring to the chest wall. It contains no silicone gel or new materials." These are thought to be selling points among plastic surgeons, as well as other factors:

• Saline fill
• Approved for ages 18+
• Low rupture rate in primary augmentation patients
• No MRI needed for rupture detection
• No silent ruptures
• Smaller incision site
• Closer feel to silicone over traditional saline
• Lower capsular contracture rate

How the Ideal implant compares to traditional saline implants

The structure of the Ideal implant makes it unique—with its internal shell around the inner chamber, which contains the inner saline filler, and an external shell around the outer chamber, which contains the outer saline filler.

Between these shells are up to three baffle shells. This internal structure manages movement of the saline solution and helps give it its natural feel.

The traditional saline implant is likened to a water balloon. Since it has no structure, the solution moves freely, taking away its natural feel.

This lack of structure, especially internally, also causes the upper portion of the implant to cave in when you are upright and is more prone to wrinkling and folding, which increases its likelihood of a rupture.

Ideal breast implant size chart

Ideal implants are currently available in shell sizes ranging from 210cc to 675cc with a maximum fill volume of 755cc. There is currently one style of Ideal implant. Diameter ranges from 9.8-14.2cm with projection ranging from 4.0-5.8cm.

The Ideal implant warranty

Ideal implants come with a complimentary implant warranty that covers up to $2,400 in surgical costs for ruptured implants in the first 10 years. The warranty covers Ideal implants placed in the United States or Canada after August 1, 2015.

Included in the lifetime implant rupture coverage is rupture or deflation due to crease fold failure of the implant shell, loss of shell integrity due to unknown cause, or loss of fill valve integrity. At the request of your surgeon, a collateral implant will be provided as part of the implant coverage.

Created October 2016