Saline vs. Silicone

Breast implants come in two types: saline and silicone. Both have their advantages and disadvantages and choosing between one of the two is not as cut-and-dried as most women may think, with saline being the 'good' choice and silicone being the 'bad' one.

A Look at Silicone-filled implants

Until the 90's, silicone was the type of implant most often used by breast surgeons. However, after a series of complaints about possible side effects and risks for conditions like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases, the use of silicone dropped. Recently, new innovations have been made on silicone implants and today FDA-approved silicone implants are already widely available.

Silicone implants are often considered better than saline implants when it comes to shape and consistency. They are softer and can mimic the consistency of real breast tissue better than saline-filled implants. They are also more suitable for women with smaller breast tissue since rippling or folds in the implant shell are less visible with silicone implants.

Silicone implants also come with some disadvantages, however. They are not adjustable and leaks are often harder to detect. An MRI may be needed to confirm a ruptured silicone implant. The silicone may leak into surrounding tissue, causing pain and other unknown side effects. Also, the size of the incision will depend on the size of the implant, since all silicone implants are inserted pre-filled. The bigger the implant, the bigger the incision.

Saline-filled implants

Saline-filled implants are adjustable and can be inserted empty, which means that only a small incision is necessary to insert the implant. Once the implant is in place, saline is poured in through the valve in the shell, and the size can be adjusted according to the amount of solution put in. A ruptured implant is often easily noticeable which makes immediate treatment possible. Saline causes no harm when it leaks into the surrounding tissues since it is easily absorbed by the body.

Choosing which type of implant to go for depends on you, with a little guidance from your surgeon. You have to consider the current condition of your breast, your desired breast size, how you want your breasts to look as well as the how much you are willing to spend for the procedure. In the end, no matter which type you choose, make sure that you have a licensed, certified, and qualified surgeon working on you to make sure that you get the desired results.