Silicone Vs. Saline Breast Implants

By Author: Mark D Epstein
Total Articles: 4
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Breast augmentation surgery, or breast implants as they are commonly called, is the most popular kind of cosmetic surgery. Women opt for breast implants in order to make their breasts look fuller and bigger. Aside from these cosmetic reasons, breast implant surgery can also be performed for reconstructive purposes, such as to reclaim the shape of the breasts after mastectomy.

If you decide to undergo breast augmentation surgery, it is important that you choose the type of implant that you want. In breast augmentation there are two types of implants, namely, saline-filled and silicone gel-filled implants. Both of these implants have an outer shell. While the silicone implants are filled with silicone gel, the saline implants are filled with sterile salt water.

The two implants have differences in material, consistency and texture. The saline breast implants are empty when they are inserted; once they are placed they are filled with the sterile salt solution. In cosmetic breast implant surgery, saline breast implants can be used for women who are eighteen or older, while in reconstructive surgery they can be used ...
... for women of any age.

Silicone breast implants are pre-filled with silicone gel. Silicone gel is a thick fluid that has the texture of human fat. This fact makes the silicone implants more preferable as they look and feel natural. In cosmetic breast augmentation, silicone breast implants can be used for women who are twenty-two or older, while in reconstructive surgery they can be used for women of any age.

The major difference between the two implants is in the texture. As discussed earlier, silicone implants have silicone gel that closely resembles human fat. It is more like the actual human breast tissue. Silicone implants make your breasts look well-rounded and healthy. Saline implants produce rippling effect on the breast surface as they are filled with water. Women having larger breasts implanted often prefer saline implants to enhance the look of their breasts, while women who are thin or do not have enough breast tissue prefer might silicone implants.

Even though silicone implants give a natural feel, many people prefer saline implants. This is because saline implants are relatively risk-free. If a saline implant ruptures, it becomes deflated, thus affecting the size and shape of the breasts. If ruptured, the saline implants leak saline water, which will be absorbed by the body without causing any damage. However, a repeat surgery is inevitable as it is essential to remove the silicone shell. On the other hand, if a silicone implant ruptures, it could cause long term health issues. If detected in the early stages of the rupture, the silicone implants could be removed or replaced, thus averting the health problems.

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