Is the IDEAL Implant Really the Breast of Both Worlds?

As of 2014, the IDEAL breast implant is now FDA-approved for breast augmentation with implants and revision breast augmentation in women 18 years and older.

Do We Really Need Another Breast Implant?

Saline and silicone gel-filled breast implants are already available, so where does this new option fit in?

IDEAL straddles the line between saline and silicone implants. Developed by a plastic surgeon, IDEAL is a saline-filled implant that has the look and feel of a silicone implant. The implant has multiple silicone shells that all fit within the outer implant shell. This special engineering allows the saline implant to feel more like a silicone-filled one.

IDEAL Implant Safety

All breast implants are considered safe. Many women opt for silicone gel-filled implants because of the more natural look and feel. Saline implants often feel more like water balloons and tend to ripple. One issue with silicone-gel filled implants, however, is the possibility of a so-called "silent leak." These ruptures won’t change the way an implant looks or feels; but, over time, the leaky gel may travel away from the breast, causing lumps and bumps. It can be challenging to remove silicone gel that has traveled to other parts of the body.

The FDA recommends having a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan three years after implantation and every two years after that to screen for silent ruptures.

With a saline implant, any leak is immediately evident. For this reason, IDEAL implants may provide peace of mind that does not come at the expense of the look and feel of the implant.

All other things are essentially equal among the various implants. The surgery and the risks associated with the procedure are similar to what is seen with other types of breast implants.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc now owns IDEAL Implant Inc. The new implants should be available by May 2015.

There is no cost information at this time. Check back with us for updates.