23 Nov Should You Get Silicone or Saline Breast Implants?
When you enhance the breasts with implants, choosing between silicone and saline is one of the primary choices you will make. Both are available at Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, and there’s no option that is best for everyone. Silicone vs. saline is just as important as choosing the right size, placement, shape, profile, and incision location (although the incision type is going to be made by your surgeon). That’s a lot to decide on! However, a reputable surgical team and skilled surgeon will help you make the best decisions to achieve the results you want.
Saline implants are the more traditional type of breast implants. They are suitable for any woman who is at least 18 and they use sterile saltwater (saline) to give the breasts fullness. During the surgery, it’s actually a silicone shell that’s placed in the body and then that is filled with the chosen level of saline. A tiny incision is required for filling the implant, which means a very small scar will be left behind. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), one benefit of saline implants is that they can be adjusted after the operation using a remote injection port. However, this is most often done when patients are undergoing breast reconstruction surgery—not breast augmentation surgery—in order to perfect the final volume in the months following the initial surgery.
Pros and Cons of Saline vs Silicone Implants
Saline breast implants are very popular, and always have been, but some patients think they don’t look and feel as natural as silicone implants. You’ll get an idea of what saline implants feel like during your consultation. In rare cases, saline implants can cause a rippling effect of the skin and this is particularly true for patients with thin skin or who have the implant placed above the chest muscles instead of below them. Consider this a reminder of how important choosing the right placement is. Both options are typically available (above or below chest muscles) for all patients, and while implants below the muscles looks more natural it’s also a more invasive procedure that will require a little longer healing time.
Of course, saline breast implants also have a higher potential to leak compared to silicone implants—but leaking from any implant is rare. Plus, if a saline implant does leak, it’s completely safe since your body will just naturally absorb it.
All About Silicone Implants
Silicone breast implants are pre-filled with a thick gel. This gel helps stop any migration, and a lot of people describe silicone breast implants as feeling more natural. Silicone implants are deemed softer than saline. Think of the feel of a gummy worm compared to a very full water balloon. There are also many types of cohesive implants, aptly called the gummy bear implant, that allow surgeons to fully customize breast augmentation to an even better degree.
However, since they are pre-filled, silicone implants placement does require much larger incisions than saline implants. These incisions are typically 2 – 2.5 inches and can often be hidden in the natural crease of the breast. There’s much less chance of rippling with silicone implants. Of course, patients also want to know what happens if a silicone implant leaks. This rare event isn’t noticeable like it is with a saline implant, and isn’t even detectable without an MRI. The silicone will still stay in place,  meaning that the silicone spreading rapidly throughout the body isn’t a concern. It’s also important to note that women must be at least 22 to be considered for a silicone breast implant.
Making Your Decision About Breast Implants
As you can see, there are a number of factors to consider with breast augmentation. Your surgeon can help you decide if silicone or saline is better for you, your goals, and your lifestyle. Bear in mind that no breast implant is designed to last forever. Many women also opt to change their breast implants in the future, whether it’s the size, shape, or the filler (saline vs. silicone).
Start your breast augmentation journey today by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center. Call (480) 282-8386 today.