Saline vs. Silicone implants

Choosing a breast implant type is a crucial decision when undergoing breast augmentation surgery. For the most part, deciding between saline and silicone implants is a personal preference, but it’s important to be aware of the differences in order to make the most educated decision.

Saline implants:

Until the FDA approved silicone implants in 2006, saline implants were the only safe option available and they are still a popular choice. At Colorado Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Slenkovich uses a we use an adjustable volume saline implant. These implants are made of a silicone case that is filled with sterile saline to the desired volume.  Saline implants are less expensive than silicone implants and the incision made during surgery is smaller with saline implants.  Saline implants are filled intra-operatively, so the implant is not at the full size when it is inserted, allowing for a smaller incision in the inframammary crease.

Although saline implants can provide a less natural, oftentimes more rounded, look and feel. If a woman has very little breast tissue and fat to begin with, or if she has thinner skin, Dr. Slenkovich will often not recommend saline implants for her. If a woman has existing breast tissue before surgery, saline implants are more likely to look natural.

Rupture or leaks are a potential – although unlikely – risk with  breast implants.  When a saline implant does have a rupture, the patient will notice it right away since the saline solution will leak out of the implant and cause the breast to “deflate.”

Silicone implants:

Since silicone implants were re-approved in 2006, about 90 percent of our breast augmentation patients choose silicone implants over saline implants.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved silicone gel-filled breast implants in November 2006 after years of clinical studies performed by the two major breast implant manufacturers, Allergan Corp. and Mentor Corp. Post-approval studies were also required for 10 years after the implants were approved.

Silicone implants have a natural feel that is meant to mimic the feel of breast tissue. If a woman has very little breast tissue to begin with, Dr. Slenkovich will often recommend silicone implants to achieve a more natural look. Silicone implants are often called “gummy bear” implants because the cohesive gel in the implants is similar to the inside of a gummy bear. If ruptured, the implants do not leak. They simply stay in place, much like a gummy bear would if you ripped it in half. Most women do not even notice when there is a rupture with silicone-filled implants.

Silicone implants are made from a thick, cohesive gel that won’t slosh around inside the implant. The rippling and folding that can happen with saline implants is rare with silicone implants.

Since ruptured silicone implants typically go unnoticed, the FDA requires all women with silicone implants to have an MRI three years after their surgery and every two years after that. This can turn into a costly expense if insurance companies do not cover MRIs required for a cosmetic procedure.

See this list of breast implant questions and answers from the FDA.

If you’re interested in finding out more about breast implant types, or if you would like to schedule a breast augmentation consultation, please contact us.

Jarod – Patient Coordinator