This is a big decision for most when it comes to breast augmentation. Both Saline and Silicone are available at SD Body Contouring and both are very safe for the procedure. There was a lot of hysteria regarding the silicon implants but the issues with leakage has been resolved.
The difference between the two are the content that fills them. In other words saline implants are filled with saline water, and silicone implants are filled with a silicone gel that has the consistency of molasses.
Both implants have a very secure and solid shell. Solid silicone has been implanted in millions of people for other medical devices like pacemakers, artificial joints, heart valves, penile implants and more. Solid silicone is different in substance than the silicone gel that fills implants.
History of Saline and Silicone Implants
Since the 1960’s both saline and silicone implants have been used. From 1968 (this is when silicone implants were introduced) to 1992 (when silicone was taken off the market by the FDA) they were the most popular implant due to their natural look and feel for most women. In 1992 the FDA issued a moratorium on silicone gel implants based on concern them might cause auto-immune diseases such as lupus. From 1992 to 2006 saline was the only option available to women in the United States wanting breast augmentation. During this period silicone was still the implant of choice for women in Europe, South America and Canada. In 2006 the ban in the U.S. was lifted after overwhelming evidence demonstrated silicone was perfectly safe and didn’t cause such diseases.
Silicone Implants: Pro’s and Con’s
The primary advantage of silicon implants is aesthetic, the look and feel is much more natural. In most cases a silicone implant is difficult to distinguish from breast without implants. Silicone implants also have a lower rate of rippling and wrinkling. Women that are thin with modest breast tissue may choose the option of having the implant placed above the muscle without sacrificing aesthetics. The same woman would be advised not to go above the muscle with saline due to the rippling and wrinkling. Also because silicone is lighter than saline the risk of downward displacement is much lower.
The disadvantage of silicone implants is the cost is higher by about $1000 and you will have a larger scar. The longer scar is necessary due to the fact silicone implants are pre-filled by the manufacturer, so they must be able to fit through the incision. In general the larger the implant the larger the scar. Also, the risk of capsular contracture may be slightly higher with silicone, due to a rupture whereas saline implants do not generally from capsular contractures in response to rupture or deflation. Finally silicone in some cases ruptures “silently” so there is no outward evidence that a rupture occurred.
Saline Implants: Pros and Cons
Saline implants advantages are different than silicone. Saline provides a lower rate of revisionary surgery than silicone gel, as Saline tends to have a lower rate of capsular contracture. In addition the scar is smaller as Saline implants are filled after they are placed allowing much smaller incision. Finally the cost is lower by about $1000 per pair. If a Saline implant ruptures it is naturally absorbed by the body within a day or so, resulting in an obviously smaller breast.
The primary disadvantage of saline implants is that they tend to look round and feel stiff and unnatural, particularly in thin women with less breast tissue. Further larger saline implants have a higher tendency for displacement than silicone as they are simply heavier than silicone.
The best way to decide which implant is right for you is to make an appointment with Dr. Sarosy to go over the pro’s and con’s of each so you can make an informed decision.
