Silicone vs. Saline Breast Implants

    PHOENIX, AZ, June 15, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- One of the breast implant options you will need to make prior to breast augmentation surgery is the type of implant you are interested in. No two women have the same needs. The type of breast implant most suited to address your specific concerns is best determined by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Below is some basic information about silicone and saline implants that can give you a starting point when discussing these options with your breast augmentation surgeon.

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants are filled prior to placement. This means that the incision made for this type of implant will need to be large enough to allow for the implant to be placed. Due to the larger incision, surgical and recovery time may be slightly longer with silicone implants.

The additional surgical and recovery time is often well worth it when the benefits of silicone implants are considered. Silicone implants look and feel like natural breast tissue. In addition, they are less likely to result in aesthetic imperfections such as wrinkling, rippling, and double bubble. Silicone implants are also lighter than saline implants, making them less likely to sag or droop. All of these things combine to make silicone implants a longer-lasting and more natural-looking choice, particularly for women with very little natural breast tissue.

Saline Implants

Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution after being placed. This allows your plastic surgeon to make a smaller incision which may decrease surgical and recovery time. For women with sufficient breast tissue, silicone implants can look and feel very natural, and they are the only implants available for women under the age of 22.

Saline implants are more likely to suffer from aesthetic imperfections. Saline implants may wrinkle, ripple, or become uneven over time. They are also heavier and, when placed above the chest muscles, can result in sagging or "bottoming out."

Every woman has unique needs. While silicone may offer longer-lasting results for some women, it may also be harder to detect ruptures. These things, along with your aesthetic desires will need to be considered during your breast augmentation consultation. Working with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, the type of breast implant best for your body can easily be determined.

If you live in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, Glendale, or surrounding areas in Arizona and would like to learn more about your breast implant options, please visit the website of Bryan W. Gawley, MD, Plastic Surgery for additional information at www.gawleyplasticsurgery.com.

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