Breast Implant Information: Silicone Gel vs. Saline
The FDA recently approved a new generation of silicone-filled gel breast implants for women who are at least 22 years of age giving women more choices than ever before in breast implant surgery. There are a number of differences between saline and silicone breast implants which Dr. Griffin will explain thoroughly to you during your consultation. A summary of the pros and cons of both types of breast implants follows:
Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Advantages
- Silicone gel implants feel more like natural breast tissue
- Silicone implants are less likely to ripple
- Silicone gel implants are available in a variety of sizes, profiles, and textures
- Lifetime replacement guarantee from the manufacturer
Disadvantages
- Silicone breast implants come pre-filled, meaning that the exact volume must be determined before surgery
- Because silicone breast implants are pre-filled, the incision will be slightly longer to allow for insertion of the implant
- Pre-filled implants do not allow for correction of small asymmetries in breast volume between the breasts
- If a silicone breast implant ruptures (which is less likely with contemporary silicone implants because of the multi-layered shell), silicone is not absorbed by the body, but can cause capsular contracture (scar tissue formation) in the breast
- Rupture of silicone implants is more difficult to detect
Saline Breast Implants
Advantages
- Saline breast implants are filled after they are inserted so that exact volume can be customized during surgery and the incision length can be shorter
- If a saline implant ruptures, the saline (salt water) filling is safely absorbed by the body and a volume change becomes noticeable in the breast
- Saline implants are available for women of all ages
- Saline implants are available in a variety of sizes and profiles
Disadvantages
- Saline implants are not as soft or natural-feeling as silicone gel implants
- Saline breast implants are more likely to have palpable and even visible rippling