The saline or silicone decision is a difficult one for many breast augmentation patients. Which type of implant is best? The good news is, you don’t have to make this decision alone. We’ll help you choose the right implants, sort out the differences between saline and silicone, and discover your best breasts. Call and schedule your consultation with Dr. Lewis today.
Saline or Silicone: Which Implant Is Best?
You may have heard the rumor that silicone implants are always the best choice but, as with many rumors, this isn’t necessarily the case. Both saline and silicone implants can provide stunning results. Each implant type is different and has unique advantages. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your options, explain the differences between the implant types, and make recommendations. Saline or silicone will be the clear choice for some patients, but others will be able to choose the implant type that they prefer.
Saline Implants: More Affordable, Lower Maintenance, Available Sooner
Saline implants are an excellent choice for many of our patients. An outer silicone shell is filled with a sterile saline solution.
Here are a few of the benefits of saline breast implants.
- More Economical- Saline implants are often more economical than silicone implants.
- Smaller Incision- Saline implants are often inserted into the breast unfilled and then filled with a saline solution. This may allow for a smaller incision.
- Natural Look and Feel- In women with sufficient tissue coverage, saline implants can look and feel very natural. They are not recommended for women who are very thin before surgery or those with small amounts of natural breast tissue.
- FDA Approved for 18 and Up- Saline implants are FDA approved for cosmetic breast augmentation in women ages 18 and older. Silicone implants are approved for women ages 22 and older.
- Lower Maintenance- It is easy to spot a rupture. Should a saline implant rupture, the solution will leak out and the breast will deflate. Silicone implants require occasional imaging to check for leaks.
- Easier to Remove- Saline implants are also easier to remove. They can be punctured and removed through a very small incision.
Silicone Implants: Natural Feel, Ideal for Women Wanting Big Implants or with Minimal Breast Tissue
Silicone implants feature a silicone shell filled with a soft silicone gel. They are currently the most commonly used implants.
- Can’t Feel Them- Once in place, it is difficult to even tell a woman has implants.
- Natural Feel- Even outside of the breast, silicone implants feel like natural breast tissue.
- Lower Rupture Rate- Silicone implants may have a lower rupture rate than saline implants.
- Small Incisions- Although silicone implants require a longer incision than saline, we use a special technique known as the Keller Funnel to ensure a small incision and to minimize potential complications.
Which implant type is right for you? Call and schedule your consultation with Dr. Lewis.