Saline or Silicone? Here’s How to Tell the Difference

One of the most important decisions you will need to make regarding breast implants is which type to get. The two options available right now are saline-filled implants and silicone-filled implants.

They may look the same on the outside, but it’s the inside that makes a difference. Here’s what you should know about saline and silicone implants so that you can make an educated decision before your surgery.

The Main Difference

While both saline and silicone breast implants have similar silicone shells on the outside, the materials on the inside have very different consistencies.

Saline Breast Implants: What You Should Know

If you were to take a pair of scissors to a saline breast implant and make a cut, salt water (saline) would spill out and the implant would deflate. During breast augmentation surgery, the plastic surgeon inserts an empty implant, and once it is securely in place, he or she fills it with sterile saline solution.

Saline breast implants are a popular choice for breast augmentation for women of all ages, mainly because they are less expensive than silicone.

Silicone Breast Implants: What You Should Know

Unlike saline implants which are filled only after placement, silicone implants are pre-filled with a viscous substance known as silicone gel. This type of implant feels very similar to natural human breast tissue. In fact, the main reason women choose silicone implants is because they feel more natural than the saline-filled variety. If a standard silicone implant ruptures, the gel does leak out, but the breast usually retains its shape and form because the silicone remains trapped within the tissue capsule that forms around the implant.

Gummy Bear Implants

The newest type of silicone breast implant to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for breast augmentation is nicknamed the “gummy bear implant.” This is because, like a gummy bear candy, it retains its shape. Although they’ve been around in Europe for many years, gummy bear implants Houston have only recently become available in the United States. Compared to other types of implants, they hold their shape better, are less prone to leakage, and will not fold or wrinkle through the skin. They are the most natural-feeling type of implant and are best for women who have less breast tissue to begin with.

Making the Big Decision

Both saline and silicone implants have risks, including possible rupture or leakage. While it is easy to tell when a saline implant has ruptured, because it deflates immediately, a rupture in a silicone implant may not be obvious or noticed right away. If a breast implant ruptures, the response will vary depending on whether the implant is saline or silicone.

During your Houston breast augmentation consultation, your surgeon can recommend the type of implant that would suit you best. He or she may base the recommendation on your body shape/size, family history, and/or anatomical considerations. It is important to know the differences between the various types of implants and to talk to your surgeon about what is best for you and your body type, budget and lifestyle.

The choice of implant type is ultimately yours. Whether you choose saline, traditional silicone, or gummy bear breast implants, you want to be comfortable knowing you made the best decision possible.

Want to know more about cosmetic surgery and breast augmentation? Please contact us  to schedule a consultation and begin your journey to obtaining the body you’ve always wanted.