Saline Breast Implants

If you are thinking of getting breast augmentation surgery done, it’s important to know that you will be presented with two breast implant options: saline and silicone. There are other types of implants as well, but these two are the most well-known and widely used types.

What Are Saline Implants?

These implants consist of a saline-filled silicone shell inserted under the breast to give it more volume and projection. Saline implants are easier to handle than silicone implants and are the ones recommended by surgeons in many cases.

Silicone implants are simple shells, normally circular – think of a doughnut without the hole in the middle. They are inserted under the skin and then inflated to the required size.

The saline solution these implants are filled with is composed of sterile water and salt. It is mainly to keep the pH levels stable and to stay non-reactive with the implant over time.

Saline implants are the implants of choice for when reconstructive surgery is required. Saline implants are available to women who are age 18 and older, whereas silicone implants require the patient to be age 22 or older.

Advantages of Saline Implants

There are a number of reasons as to why you might make the choice to get saline implants. Here are a few:

  • The filling that goes into the saline implant is similar to the liquids found in the body. So if the implant bursts, the filling will be safely absorbed by the body. Silicone is not found normally in the body.
  • The post-surgical marks are often much smaller after breast augmentation with silicone implants. That is because the implant goes in empty and then gets filled in afterward. Silicone implants come pre-filled and thus often require a larger incision.
  • The feel of saline implants is generally a bit firmer than other types of implants, which is typically a desirable attribute for the final results.
  • Saline implants are adjustable in size. While the original size will be predetermined, modifications can be made during and even after the procedure to tweak the size and shape of the breast. This ensures that the patient gets the breast volume that they desire.
  • Saline implants are easy to repair. It is also easier to detect if an implant is leaking, because there is a visual change in the breast. The same cannot be said of silicone-gel-filled breast implants.

Breast implant placement is done mainly as a cosmetic procedure, to make the person feel better about herself and her appearance. It can be a major boost of confidence in many ways.

Arrange a Consultation to Find Out More

Are you having trouble deciding between silicone and saline breast implants? If so, contact our office and schedule an appointment for a consultation. When you speak with Doctor Bivik Shah, a highly skilled board-certified plastic surgeon, you’ll be able to find out which implants are best for your needs and goals. Get in touch today!