You have decided to have a breast augmentation procedure. The next decision is silicone vs. saline. Both types of implants come with a silicone outer shell. The difference comes on what is inside. The surgeon fills a saline implant with a salt solution after insertion. A silicone implant comes already filled with a gel-like substance made from silicone. One of the big differences is how it looks. When a patient has a small breast size or needs reconstructive surgery, silicone may be the better choice. Some saline implants show a rippling on the surface. With a thin skin layer above, it would be obvious.

Another issue to consider with breast augmentation is the look. Silicone vs. saline depends on the patient’s point of view. Some people feel that saline implants make them feel like they have water balloons in their chests. However, some women think they provide a more natural look than silicone. Silicone implant patients often think they have the natural look. It depends on personal opinion more than anything else does. Silicone stands firmer than saline. This can make a woman seem plastic if the implants are too large.

Another consideration in breast augmentation is where the incisions go and how long they will be. Silicone vs. saline, in this case, it comes down to versatility. Surgeons can insert saline implants through a variety of incision places. They insert the empty outer shells through a small incision and position it in the correct place. The surgeon then injects the saline solution into the outer shell. Silicone implants, on the other hand, come already filled. This means that the surgeon will need larger incisions right at the breast to get them in place.

One of the biggest concerns with the silicone vs. saline argument is safety. Breast augmentation in the 1990’s was restricted to saline implants. This was due to concerns with silicone implants causing cancer and other diseases. However, in 2006, the Food and Drug Administration began allowing silicone implants again. The main restriction placed on them was that the patient had to be twenty-two or older. They cited many studies that show that there were no diseases directly connected to silicone implants. This concern still lingers among patients however. The bottom line is this. If a saline implant ruptures, the body would absorb the solution naturally. With a silicone implant, the leak would be slow and the patient may not notice it for a long time.