fbpx
logo-with-tag

Silicone vs Saline Breast Implants

Posted on May 16, 2019 by: Dr. Rocheford

If you’re not happy with the shape or size of your breasts, you can consider breast implants, which can easily be implanted through a straightforward breast augmentation procedure. When you’re thinking about scheduling a consultation for breast implant surgery, you should know that there are two main types of implants for you to consider, which include silicone implants and saline implants. While the results of these implants are similar, their construction is decidedly different.

When to Consider Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can be used for a wide array of reasons, the most common of which is to increase the volume of the breasts for women who have naturally small breasts. You might also find that you’ve lost some volume in your breasts following substantial weight loss or after breastfeeding. If so, breast augmentation can restore this lost volume. If you suffer from a genetic abnormality known as tubular breasts, it’s possible for breast implants to improve the shape of your breasts. The same is true if one breast is a slightly different shape or size than another.

Silicone or Saline Implants

The main two types of breast implants are silicone implants and saline implants. While all implants are made from a shell of silicone, they can be comprised of different fillings. A saline implant is one that uses sterile salt water as the filling that’s placed inside of the shell. These implants are FDA-approved for women 18 and older. The silicone shell is inserted into the breast pocket before it’s filled with saline solution. The saline solution that’s used for these implants has practically the same consistency as water. One major benefit of saline implants is that it’s possible for the size of them to be adjusted after the surgery without needing to perform another invasive surgical procedure. If the implant ever ruptures, the saline solution is absorbed into the body, which means that a revisional surgery isn’t immediately necessary. Silicone implants have a silicone gel inside of the outer silicone shell. This gel is considered to be an inert polymer, which means that it won’t trigger allergies or lead to any adverse reactions. This type of gel can have a more gummy texture to it, which allows the implants to look and feel more like a natural breast than a saline implant. Keep in mind that women who opt for silicone implants need to be at least 22 years old.

Risks Associated With Breast Implants

Whether you choose silicone or saline implants, both of these breast implant types have proven to be very safe and risk-averse. While there are some incisions made with breast augmentation surgery, these incisions are small, which means that the recovery period is short and straightforward. Some of the standard surgical risks for you to keep in mind include bleeding, infection, changes in breast sensation, or implant rupture, all of which are rare.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re interested in discussing your options with breast augmentation and the right breast implants for you, contact us at Rocheford Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation by calling or filling out our online form.