Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants

MANHATTAN, NY, February 24, 2011 (Press-News.org) Structurally, saline and silicone breast implants are the same: a silicone shell filled with a material that mimics the feel of natural breasts. However, the fluid or gel inside breast implants has a large impact on the look and feel of your breasts. You should discuss your goals for your breast augmentation with your plastic surgeon. His experience can help you match up the right size, shape, and type of breast implants to meet your expectations.

Differences between Saline and Silicone Breast Implants

Saline breast implants are filled with a water-soluble saline solution. Because of this, your breast surgeon may be able to place the implant before filling it and use a smaller incision, resulting in a smaller scar. Saline breast implants are often less expensive than silicone breast implants, but many women complain that they look and feel less natural than their silicone counterparts.

Silicone breast implants are pre-filled with a silicone gel whose thick, sticky fluid closely resembles the look and feel of natural breast tissue. Silicone breasts often require a larger incision because they are filled before being placed in your body. Also, not all incision locations may be open to you with silicone breast implants.

Implant Rupture with Saline and Silicone Breast Implants

When a saline breast implant ruptures, the implant will deflate and the water-soluble saline solution will be harmlessly absorbed back into your body. You will likely need breast implant revision surgery to remove the silicone shell and place new saline breast implants.

When a silicone breast implant ruptures, a "silent rupture" can occur. The breast implant may be slowly leaking silicone gel, but you may not see any visible difference in your breasts. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends monitoring silicone implants with MRI scans every two years to detect implant rupture. There is no evidence that silicone gel will cause any long-term health problems, but after enough gel has leaked out, you may experience breast pain and notice changes in the contour of your breasts. If this happens, you will need breast implant revision surgery to remove the ruptured implant and place a new one.

If you live in Westchester, Manhattan, New York City or Long Island, New York and are interested in undergoing breast augmentation, please visit the website of New York City plastic surgeon Dr. Scott E. Newman today at http://psurgery.com.