Breast Implants Saline Versus Silicone
Silicone Vs. Saline Breast Implants in your Breast Augmentation Surgery
In 2005, breast augmentation was the second most popular form of cosmetic surgery performed in the U.S. There were nearly 365,000 procedures performed, and each year that number continues to increase. Cosmetic surgery has gained popularity for many reasons — from improving confidence to creating a more curvaceous figure.
While there may be numerous reasons for having cosmetic surgery, the types of implants are not as numerous. In fact, there are only two types of breast implants: saline and silicone.
Because silicone wasn’t FDA approved until 2007, saline has traditionally been the more popular of the two implants. In fact, among the procedures performed in 2005, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that 83.4 percent of patients chose the saline-filled implants.
However, the debate runs on. Is saline safer? Does silicone look more natural? Let’s break down silicone versus saline breast implants in your breast augmentation surgery.
Saline Breast Implants in Your Breast Augmentation Surgery
Saline breast implants are the more popular choice for a number of reasons. The first issue is safety. Up until 2007, a woman had to take part in a medical study in order to qualify for Silicone Implants. Saline implants required no such study, and was a more convenient and safer choice.
Saline breast implants also require a smaller incision for insertion. This is because unlike silicone implants, saline implants are not pre-filled by the manufacturer. The smaller incision heals faster and it is less noticeable.
Cost is another reason for the popularity of saline over silicone. The cost for saline implants is $1,000 to $1,500 less than silicone implants.
Silicone Breast Implants in Your Breast Augmentation Surgery
Silicone breast implants, while not as popular as saline, still hold some benefits that saline implants do not offer. For instance, silicone offers a more natural look and feel. Since it is a more viscous liquid, it has moves more naturally. Where saline has a tendency to look and behave more like a balloon filled with water, silicone looks smoother and emulates the feel of natural breast tissue. Another benefit from using silicone is that it does not cause the “rippling” effect that is sometimes evident with saline.
Even with the FDA approval, silicone implant ruptures are still a concern due to capsular contracture. Capsular contracture results when a leak occurs and the body forms scar tissue around the implant. This normally happens when the implant has been in place for a very long time.
In answer to the threat of capsular contracture, new technology has resulted in a silicone breast implant with cohesive gel. Cohesive gel reduces the chances of developing capsular contracture, since the implant does not leak when ruptured.
Find a Breast Augmentation Surgeon on DocShop.com
About the Author
Regardless of which implant you choose for your breast augmentation surgery, the most important step is finding a surgeon you are very comfortable with. Use the directory on DocShop.com to help locate a surgeon in your area. Once you find a breast augmentation doctor you trust, you can find out which type of implant is best suited for you. The board certified surgeons listed on DocShop.com are leaders in their field and can offer you insight and advice on every aspect of the breast augmentation process — including the different types of cosmetic laser surgery and cosmetic surgery financing available. Find a surgeon in your area today and begin making the plans for the “new you” of tomorrow!
Breast Implants Saline Versus Silicone Dr. C. Randall Harrell