CHICAGO, IL -- (Marketwire) -- 12/18/12 -- Dr. Brian Braithwaite and Dr. Lorri Cobbins, both board-certified Chicago plastic surgeons, strive to educate prospective breast augmentation patients before surgery about their options for implant sizing and materials. One major decision these patients make is choosing between silicone and saline implants. With breast augmentation as the most popular procedure among The Aesthetic Institute of Chicago's patient population, Drs. Braithwaite and Cobbins seek to outline the benefits of each choice.

Dr. Cobbins notes that while most plastic surgeons and patients agree that silicone implants yield a more natural look and feel, both varieties of breast implants produce nice results that have distinct advantages:

• Saline implants have been known to have a decreased risk of capsular contracture (excess scar tissue around the implant) if placed underneath the muscle when compared to silicone.
• Textured silicone implants have thicker and more durable outer shells and are more resistant to leakage or rupture.
  
  

Additionally, silicone breast implants arrive pre-filled from the manufacturer and their volume cannot be altered by the surgeon in the operating room, while saline implants are filled to a customized size during the breast augmentation procedure. Saline implants also allow the surgeon to position these implants using somewhat smaller incisions than those required for silicone implants.

Drs. Braithwaite and Cobbins stress that although both types of implants are quite safe, neither option is meant to be a permanent device. The two doctors say, on average, patients should expect to replace implants 12-15 years after the original surgery, regardless of which implant material is chosen.

During patient consultations at The Aesthetic Institute of Chicago, Drs. Braithwaite and Cobbins' Chicago plastic surgery practice, patients can select from the full range of implant options and are assisted through the entire decision-making process to ensure each patient achieves results that match their personal goals.

About Brian Braithwaite, MD

Dr. Brian Braithwaite is a board-certified plastic surgeon. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago and earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. Afterward, Dr. Braithwaite joined the United States Navy to become a flight surgeon. He went on to achieve the rank of Commander as a staff plastic surgeon for Bethesda Naval Medical Center and spent his last several years of active duty as the Chief of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Braithwaite has also worked with the Breast Care Center, the headquarters for breast reconstruction patients in the National Capital Area. He currently serves as Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

About Lorri Cobbins, MD

Dr. Lorri Cobbins is a board-certified plastic surgeon. She earned her medical degree from Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri. Dr. Cobbins is an award-winning researcher and practitioner, and has been a featured guest physician on local radio and television programs.

Dr. Cobbins completed her plastic surgery residency training at the University of Louisville, School of Medicine where she received the John W. Price award for excellence in undergraduate instruction.

Both plastic surgeons are available for interview upon request.

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