With all the new materials out there for breast implants, you have many potential choices for your surgery. Two of the most popular types of implants are silicone and saline. These styles use a silicone shell that is filled with either saline or a silicone gel. Both silicone and saline implants come with their own unique advantages, so it can be tricky to decide between the two options. Before you make your decision, carefully consider these factors.
Feel
Most people report that a silicone implant feels more like a natural breast. The material is slightly firm, but it still has plenty of give, and it reacts to movement like normal breast tissue will. Saline implants can feel unusually firm when touched.
Safety
Though rare, it is possible for either type of implant to burst. A popped saline implant is far safer than a popped silicone implant because saline is simply sterile salt water. If a saline implant pops, the body will just harmlessly absorb the salt water. A silicone leak cannot be naturally handled by the body, so it will sit in the chest tissue and potentially cause irritation.
Weight
Weight does not matter much for smaller breast implants, but women who want to go up several cup sizes may need to consider the weight of the implant. The same volume of silicone will be much lighter than a comparable volume of saline. This means a silicone implant will be lighter, making it more comfortable to carry around and less likely to sag due to gravity.
Appearance
Which implant option will look better depends mostly on personal taste. Silicone implants tend to look more realistic in both their shape and their movement. Saline breast implants have a more rounded shape, and they do not jiggle quite as much. Saline implants have the potential to get a slight rippling or wrinkling look around the edges which can be visible through the skin.
Adjustability
Those who are not positive about the size of implant they want may appreciate saline more than silicone because some types of saline implants can be adjustable for a few months after surgery. This gives you the option to increase or decrease breast size and adjust any size inconsistencies.
If you are interested in breast implants and would like to learn more, contact our office today to schedule your consultation! Boulder Plastic Surgery is conveniently located in Boulder, CO.