Breast Implant Options: Which is Best For You?

Breast augmentation surgery is the most popular cosmetic procedure performed in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more than 300,000 breast augmentations were performed in 2011. Women often know that implants are used to enhance their breasts, but what some don’t know are the implant options available to them.

There are two types of implants, saline and silicone. Although there are advantages that each kind of implant creates, there is a type of implant that is right for each patient.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone implants consist of a silicone shell pre-filled with a silicone gel. Many patients and doctors say that silicone implants have a more natural feel than saline implants. The reason for this is because the gel has a texture similar to that of breast tissue. If a silicone implant ruptures, the shape and feel of the breast are often unaffected because the silicone gel does not leak beyond the breast implants. However, since the implant leak is not noticeable to the human eye, an MRI is the only way to be certain of a rupture.

Although silicone implants are popular, there are woman who prefer saline instead.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants are made out of empty silicone shells that are filled with a sterile saline (salt) solution after they are placed in the breasts. Because saline implants are filled at the time of insertion, this gives me the ability to allow your incision to possibly be shorter in length. Unlike silicone ruptures that are hard to detect, if any leaking occurs in a saline implant, it is noticeable to the naked eye. Saline implants also cost less than silicone implants.

In all, there is no right or wrong choice when deciding on the type of breast implant you choose to have. I offer both saline and silicone implants at my Arizona practice and routinely perform breast augmentations with each type of implant.

I encourage you to schedule a consultation with me by calling my Scottsdale plastic surgery office at (480) 890-0600 today. Together, we can discuss which type of breast implant is right for you and give you the look that you desire.