Saline or Silicone Breast Implants: Which is best for me?

The choice of breast implant can be confusing for individuals seeking breast augmentation, and the decision should be based on your desired look and feel following breast augmentation. Your surgeon will guide you in this process during preoperative consultations.  

Breast implants can be saline-filled or silicone-filled, smooth or textured, round or anatomically shaped. 

Silicone gel breast implants tend to have a feel that more closely resembles that of natural breast tissue. Silicone gel breast implants are FDA approved for use in individuals 22 years of age or older. Therefore, they are not available for use in individuals under the age of 22. 

Saline breast implants are FDA approved for breast augmentation in individuals over the age of 18. Saline breast implants provide a firm feel and look which some individuals find desirable. Incisions for breast augmentation can be shorter when using saline implants because the breast implant can be placed before filling them with saline, which is not an option with silicone breast implants. 

The choice between textured vs smooth breast implants will largely depend on implant pocket selection. Textured breast implants are recommended with placing in a pocket directly under breast tissue (above the muscle), as there is a decreased risk of capsular contracture with textured implants in this location. Smooth breast implants are preferable when placed in a submuscular pocket (under the muscle), and they tend to have a softer feel. 

The final choice to be discussed when considering breast implant choices is shaped (anatomical) vs round implants. Anatomically shaped breast implants are fuller in the inferior portion of the implant and are tapered towards the top. Rotation of this style of implant within the pocket can produce an unnatural and distorted appearance. Round breast implants, which are uniform in shape and size, can rotate without producing these undesirable changes in shape. 

Too many breast implant choices? Call Allure Plastics today at 769-300-2946 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Bryant Walker.  He will be happy to sit down with you and discuss breast implant selection as well as other aspects of breast augmentation with you. Through education and guidance, you will feel much more confident in your decision to undergo breast augmentation and your choice of breast implant. We look forward to seeing you.

For more information on breast implant choices or breast augmentation, please visit www.allureplastics.com/breast-augmentation to learn more about the procedure.  You will find information on commonly asked questions and an educational video on breast augmentation.  You may also visit http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation.html for more information and 3D animation video. Individual results may vary.