Breast Implants: Smooth vs Textured & The Benefits Of Each Option

Types Of Implants Available For Breast Surgery

Once a woman chooses to have breast augmentation surgery, there are still many decisions to make. For example, the plastic surgeon will discuss the incision location, implant size, and whether the implant will be placed over or under the chest muscle. Another of these decisions is choosing between smooth and textured implants. Here’s what to know about the differences between and benefits of these two implant options.

Implants that stay in place

All breast implants have an outer shell filled with either saline or silicone gel. With smooth implants, the outer shell is shiny and slippery. The implant doesn’t attach to the patient’s tissue around the implant. With a textured implant, the outer shell has a more pebbled, rough texture. This type of implant does attach to the surrounding tissues. Because of this attachment, textured implants are less likely to move around.

Why are there two types of implants?

One potential complication after a breast augmentation is capsular contracture. Capsular contracture occurs when the tissue that surrounds the implant hardens and tightens. Researchers created the textured implants based on the belief that textured implants decrease the risk of capsular contracture. Today, there is not a lot of evidence that the implant type significantly affects the risk of capsular contracture, so many plastic surgeons offer both. Thus, patients may have either type of implant, depending on preferences and needs.

Benefits of smooth implants

When implants are placed beneath the chest muscle, there may be little to no difference in appearance. If implants are placed on top of the muscle, however, very thin patients may notice that smooth implants are preferable. In patients with only a small amount of breast tissue, the textured implant may cause noticeable folds or ripples in the breast.

Benefits of textured implants

Newer teardrop-shaped textured implants have a firm, stiff textured shell. This shell holds shape better than a smooth implant. Patients who want to have a shaped breast implant will typically have a textured implant. If a patient has a capsular contracture, plastic surgeons also often opt for a textured implant during revision surgery.

How do I decide?

Before undergoing a breast augmentation, talk through all questions and concerns with a plastic surgeon. The type of implant that is best depends on many factors, including the desired shape and whether the implant will be placed over or under the chest muscle. Each patient should speak with a plastic surgeon to find out more about which technique is best.