If you’re thinking about getting breast augmentation, you’ll need to choose saline or silicone implants. Both can make the breasts appear fuller and bigger, and they can be inserted for reconstructive treatment or cosmetic purposes. Each filler material has advantages and disadvantages, so selecting one over the other comes down to your personal taste or requirements.
Silicone Implants
The feel and look of implants filled with silicone gel mimic natural breast tissue. Because silicone implants have a low rate of wrinkling, they are often placed over the muscle. While these implants are typically more aesthetically pleasing, many women opt out of getting silicone because they fear rupture will cause serious damage to their breasts and cause breast cancer. However, numerous studies have proven that silicone breast implants do not cause breast cancer and rupture of implants is incredibly rare. There are also new silicone implants that do not leak, as they are more durable and aren’t filled with liquid silicone, but are firmer with a gummie bear-like consistency, giving them the nickname gummie bear implants.
Saline Implants
Saline-filled implants generally aren’t as soft or naturally contoured as silicone, and they often shift downward after placement. Unlike silicone implants, which are prefilled, saline implants are filled after they’re inserted, so the incision is smaller. Many women choose saline implants because they feel it’s safer than silicone, as it’s a natural substance the body can absorb in case of rupture. However, as stated above, rupture is incredibly rare in both types of implants.
Your plastic surgeon will give you his/her best recommendations for your needs, and it’s important to remember that a lot more goes into selecting implants than just saline vs. silicone. There is also shape, size, placement and surgical methods that all factor into getting a breast augmentation procedure. Discuss your options with us when you come in for a consultation.
