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Saline Vs. Silicone Implants

Silicone implants were re-approved for cosmetic surgery back in the fall of 2006.  Over the past eight years we have seen a steady increase in the percentage of patients that are choosing silicone.  Presently, 75 – 80% of our patients are choosing silicone, and 20 – 25% are choosing saline.  I do think there are advantages and disadvantages of each.

In my opinion, silicone certainly have a more natural look, a more natural feel and less rippling.  For the patients that have a minimal amount of breast tissue and want a full, but natural look, I think silicone certainly gives them a superior result.  Saline implants have a firmer feel, much like a water balloon.  They can give a more “fake” look.  If over filled, they can increase the fullness of the breasts superiorly.

In my opinion, saline implants have a slightly greater leakage risk, as well as a greater chance of rippling, especially in a thin patient.

When a patient comes in for a consultation, we will discuss saline vs silicone implants.  We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each, in my medical opinion.  We will give them options as far as what we would recommend from an aesthetic viewpoint.  There are some patients that I feel would do very well with saline implants, especially if their goal is to have significant fullness superiorly, a “pop at the top” look, or have a fair amount of breast tissue that will camouflage the implant and only a plastic surgeon would be able to tell the difference between saline and silicone on exam.  Likewise, there are some patients that have very thin soft tissue coverage, minimal breast tissue or structural deformity of the chest wall.  In those individuals, I feel silicone may be more appropriate.  At the time of the exam, recommendations would be given to the patient as far as the type of implant that I feel would achieve the best aesthetic outcome.

As always, if there are any questions that you have after reading this material, please don’t hesitate to contact the office.

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