I replaced my 8 year old saline implants with Inspira because I wanted a more natural feel and look. I am two weeks post and was told they weren't going to change much considering my skin was already stretched out. I was also told inspira are more filled so they won't be as soft as traditional silicone. Does that mean they won't get any softer? They don't feel much different from my saline. I got the responsive gel and went 90 ccs bigger.
Patients should be aware of the inherent differences between the available implants.
Saline vs. Silicone differences include:
-The "feel"- silicone is more natural
-The "look"- silicone is less prone to rippling
-The "cost"- silicone is more expensive
-Customization-Silicone implants are pre-filled to a particular volume. Saline can be adjusted on the table within a recommended range.
-Monitoring-Saline implants, if ruptured, will deflate and the saline fill will be absorbed. Silicone implants require surveillance MRI's at 3 years and every 2 years after. (These are rarely obtained as ruptures are "silent" and most patients are unwilling to pay the price associated with a surveillance imaging study).
-Incisions- Because saline implants are placed empty they can be passed through slightly smaller incisions
Anecdotally speaking, most patients select a silicone device as it is generally more aesthetically pleasing (more natural feel with less rippling). In patients with less native breast tissue, a silicone implant is preferred. If you have concerns regarding silicone, you might consider the Ideal saline implant which is a step above traditional saline due to its internal architecture.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If filled properly, Inspira implants won't feel softer than saline. They should be placed under the muscle and not too large for the amount of coverage.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I think you made a great choice. The implant is a superior implant and will soften in time.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is hard to predict because each case is an individual situation. Massage may or may not help.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Your breasts may feel softer over time depending on the amount of postoperative swelling and tightness that is present in the skin and soft tissue. I agree that the Inspira implant may feel firmer than a Mentor moderate plus memory gel silicone implant. In general the Inspira implant should have reduced implant edge palpability and rippling when compared to a moderate profile appropriately filled saline implant. I would allow more time to heal before making a final determination on the feel of the breast.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The only way to answer your question would be to know how "overfilled" you saline implants were. Saline implants come empty. They have a "suggested" fill volume. Many surgeons go above it to reduce rippling, but to do so makes them firmer and rounder. Some surgeons occasionally even go below the suggested volume in which case they can be exceedingly soft, but they will get folds and will slosh a lot. Without knowing the situation with your saline implants this question is unanswerable.
The responsive gel filled Inspira implants have the same soft gel as other Allergan implants, but the amount of gel put into a given size shell is higher, thereby reducing rippling and making it a bit firmer. Net, your Inspira should feel much better than your saline implants because it is compressible/squishable. Saline can move from one part of the bag to another, but it is sloshing rather than compressing.
Inspiras were just released into the United States this month. Canadians already have a big experience, though they rarely use the responsive version of the implant (they also have a firmer gel inspira available there called the "soft touch gel.") Still, i will bet anything that ultimately you will prefer these implants over your saline implants.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Inspira implants are slightly firmer because of their design (more gel for any given shell size), unfortunately. Whether they feel softer than saline is also dependent on the quality of the scar capsule you form around them. Had you been my patient, I would have steered you to Mentor silicone gel implants, the softest in the industry.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Hello and thank you for your question. Yes typically silicone gel implants will feel much softer than saline. You are still very early in the healing process. Things will continue to soften and settle for the next 2-3 months. Best of luck.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Secondary breast augmentation surgery is a fairly straightforward process from a recovery perspective however implant choice and size can be nebulous. The new Inspira implants are highly cohesive and may be firmer than 4th generation silicone implants and saline implants but that depends on their fill volume. Going up 50 to 100 cc will accommodate for the soft tissue stretch provided from the previous implants. In general, the breast will look and feel similar to before. If there is a discrepancy, it may be secondary to the need of a breast lift.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
This is a difficult question to answer since there are a number of factored that come into play - how much your saline implants were filled to, how your breast pocket accommodates the new implant, etc. since you increased size a little, the breasts will naturally feel a little firmer at first until the pocket adjusts to the new implant size. However, if your saline implants were not overfilled very much, then I suspect your new implants will always feel a little firmer - that is the downside to some of the newer silicone gel implants. That little bit extra fill in the same shell adds too much of a feel difference for some. Just be patient and give it a few months. I hope this helps.
Published on Jul 11, 2012