Silicone or saline implants? Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to enlarge and reshape the breast using implants. Because women with smaller breasts often complain of having difficulty finding dresses and bathing suits that fit well, breast augmentation is often employed to help with this problem. Breast augmentation is one of the more commonly performed aesthetic surgeries today and the results can be dramatic. Have you been curious about getting a breast augmentation but don’t know where to start? Your decision to undergo this surgery is just the first step! There are many others that come after it. One of the most important decisions is deciding what type of implant you want. You can choose between saline and silicone implants.
To help you, we have put together a guide when deciding if you should go with saline or silicone breast implants for your upcoming surgery.
How will the implants feel?
Both implants feel different. Silicone implants have been curated to feel more natural, and feel much softer. Saline implants usually feel more firm than natural breast tissue. Many people may question the safety of saline implants however, in case of rapture, the saline solution can be safely absorbed by the body.
How will the implants look?
Both saline and silicone implants have their own unique look. Saline implants have a more firm and round look while silicone implants look more like natural breast tissue that hangs with the proper curvature.
What are the incisions required for the implants?
Incisions are placed in different manners depending on the type of implant being placed. Silicone implants are already pre-filled and the incisions to insert the implants are typically larger. Saline implant incisions are smaller because the implants are filled with the solution once it is correctly placed into the incision and chest area.
How long will they last?
Most implants are designed to be very durable however they will need to be replaced with time. The average saline or silicone implants may last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
When Should I Exchange My Breast Implants?
This is a question we hear in our clinic almost daily. To complicate matters, there really seems to be no majority consensus among plastic surgeons regarding the timing of implant exchange. We have heard one plastic surgeon say regardless of implant type – saline or silicone -they should all be exchanged every 10 years. Another plastic surgeon claims, if the implants are not giving you trouble then you do not ever need to exchange them. We disagree with both, and before giving you our thoughts on the topic, let’s go into why they need to be exchanged.
The first reason we recommend implant exchange is rupture risk.
The risk of implant rupture is basically the same for saline and silicone implants and is about 1% per year. For example, the risk of rupture after 10 years is 10%. If a saline implant ruptures, your body will resorb the saline, and other than needing to have it replaced it is not a problem. If a silicone implant ruptures, usually you will experience symptoms like pain in the breast, but you may not know it. The silicone can leak into the breast tissue forming little nodules and a local inflammatory reaction. The longer the problem is ignored the worse it becomes.
The other reason we recommend implant exchange is capsular contracture.
Capsular contracture occurs when the scar tissue normally found around all implants, becomes thick and tighter to the point where the implant and breast tissue gets distorted. The capsule or scar tissue around the implant also develops calcium within it and begins to feel like an eggshell over time. This occurs in 100% of implants at 22 years to some degree.
As stated previously, the risk of rupture at 10 years is 10%, but after ten years, the risk begins to go up.
The risk goes up very slowly, so we tell our patients if they don’t mind a slight risk then exchange their silicone implants at 14 years. Because of the safety of saline, these implants only need to be exchanged at 18 or 19 years after having the initial augmentation surgery. Obviously, if you begin to have symptoms then saline or silicone implants need to be exchanged sooner.
We hope this helps when it comes to deciding which implants are right for you. The only way to know for sure is to schedule an appointment for a consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss it.
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