Silicone Vs. Saline Implants

So you've decided to take the plunge and get breast augmentation. It's a personal decision that was made by over 130,000 women in 2007. It is done for many reasons, but the most common reasons are loss of natural breast tissue - through pregnancy and breastfeeding - and asymmetry. Whatever the case, the goal is the same. Women who go under the knife want to be happy with their surgical result. Unfortunately, there are many women that are unhappy post-surgery because they are not educated on the available types of implants. Learning the basics can help you to make a better decision and avoid surgery remorse.

There are two basic types of breast implants. They are silicone and saline implants. They are available in a variety of shapes, but the most common are round or anatomical (contoured). They also come in textured or smooth textures. There is no best option when it comes to choosing an implant, but there is a best option for you.

Saline Implants

Saline implants are cheaper. They are usually around $1,000 cheaper in comparison to silicone options.

Saline implants consist of a silicone shell that is filled with a saline (salt water) solution. Because of their content, they are considered safe in the event of rupture. In that case, the solution is eliminated via the urinary tract and has no ill effects on the body.

They are available in round and smooth textures. It is believed that textured implants offer better protection against capsular contracture (tightening of muscle and tissue around the implant as a defensive reaction of the body); however, textured implants are associated with a higher rate of rippling. Rippling is just what it sounds like. Many women experience what look like wrinkles on their breasts after receiving implants. This is from the implant's capsule pulling on the scar tissue that surrounds it. It then pulls on the skin and causes dimples or ripples. Smooth implants are used to create a more flawless appearance, but women with smooth implants are said to have a higher rate of capsular contracture.

There is no real difference in the anatomical or round implants and the cosmetic results you will have. Round implants are the most popular choice, however, because anatomical implants sometimes turn upside down in the scar capsule. This can cause the breast to be unsightly, requiring more surgery or external manipulation.

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants are considerably more expensive than their counterpart. Most women choose silicone implants for the results they can anticipate. Silicone is more free-moving and flexible. It gives a more natural appearance than a saline implant.

Silicone implants also have a set fill volume, while it's possible for saline implants to be adjusted post-surgery. This makes it more difficult for a woman to make a decision on the size of the implant she would like. Many women report wishing they had "gone bigger" - even with saline implants as some of them can't be adjusted.

There is more maintenance required with silicone implants. The FDA recommends getting an MRI every three years; currently, it is the only trusted way to detect the rupture of such implant since there usually is little or no change in the breast following. MRI's can be very costly and this can counteract the reason that some women get them in the first place, which is a possibly longer product lifespan.

There is great controversy on the safety of silicone implants. Even though the FDA has deemed them safe and determined that silicone is not toxic to the body, there are still those that say otherwise. There is also debate as to whether silicone particles can bleed through the implant shell. There have been reports of finding silicone in the lymph nodes, which cannot be removed.

Silcone implants will help you achieve a more natural look. They may also better withstand any mammograms you may have. Many doctors report lower re-operation rates with silicone as compared to saline.

Whatever decision you make, talk with your doctor about what you have learned so that you can make the best decision for your body and your lifestyle.