Silicone vs. Saline – Implants Overview
Discover the differences between silicone vs. saline for breast augmentation implants. Learn how saline and silicone implants work, their benefits, composition, feel, and safety. Furthermore, explore which types of breast implant procedure might be best for you.
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic surgery to increase breast size and shape. Fat transfer breast augmentation is an alternative method. It involves removing fat from one area of the body and strategically injecting it into the breast to add volume. Through fat transfer breast augmentation is the placement of silicone or saline implants. To enhance natural proportion, as well as create a more symmetrical, beautiful breast profile.
Breast augmentations are one of the most popular procedures. Surgeons use traditional breast implants to fix noticeable breast asymmetry. And tuberous breast deformities. Other common goals of breast augmentation are to shape and size larger breasts.
Silicone vs. Saline – Breast Implants Types
Modern breast implants types are designed to minimize risks and complications. Cohesive gel (or “gummy bear”) implants for example are silicone shells filled with a thicker silicone gel. However, it will maintain its shape even if the implant shell is broken. As a result, reduces the risk of leakage.
Silicone breast implants
Silicone gel filled breast implants feel like natural breasts. The gel can get stuck in the breast implants or the breast implant pocket if infection occurs. Leaky breast implant disease has leaking silicone gel that won’t collapse.
What is silicone implant rupture?
Tears on silicone-implanted breast implants can never be seen as the cohesive silicone gel. It can be stuck inside a scar that forms around the implant. These are called “silent ruptures”. Leaking gels are not considered health risks. But can affect other parts of the body. Silicone inside the breast tissue is not removed because it can damage other organs. Torn silicone breast implants can cause breast discomfort, breast thickening, or sagging breasts. If the implants fall off, they may need surgery. New implants can be installed together.
Depending on the type of silicone breast implants and implant options used. You may need to have regular check-ups with an experienced plastic surgeon. To ensure the implant is working properly. The breast implant is checked with ultrasound and MRI. Silicone Breast Implants are FDA-approved for breast augmentation in females 20 and above.
Besides silicone and other saline and silicone-filled implants, there are different types of implant:
Silicone Gel Implants
Silicone gel implants give a natural breast tissue feel. Especially, filled with a thick silicone gel. Evidently, popular for their natural look and feel.
Saline Implants
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water or sterile saline solution. They are inserted empty and then filled with sterile salt water, once in place, so smaller incisions. Adjustable and firmer feel.
What is saline implant rupture?
Surgically removing scar tissue from the saline breasts will flatten the scar tissue. Breast size changes. Water leaks don’t present health risks. But silicone needs to be removed from scar tissue. Then another implant will be installed as soon as possible.
Structured Saline Implants
Structured saline implant combines the benefits of both silicone implants and saline breast implants. They have an inner structure that helps the implant maintain its shape. Nonetheless, have a more natural look and feel than traditional saline filled implants and silicone implants.
Gummy Bear Breast Implants
The Form-Stable Implant often called a “Gummy Bear Breast Implant”. Because the shape of certain breast implants remains even if the implant shell breaks. Thicker than traditional silicone gel filled implants (textured breast implants). More resilient than conventional silicone gel-filled textured breast implants. Shaped gummy bear breast implants have more projection at the top and curved towards the top.
The shape of the implants can rotate. Furthermore, it can cause the breasts to distort their shape and require separate procedures to correct. Gummy bear-shaped implants can require slightly longer cuts. And gummy bear implants require slightly longer incisions in the skin.
Silicone vs. Saline – Breast Augmentation Surgery Process
Pre-op Breast Augmentation
Talk to your surgeon about diet and lifestyle changes before the breast implant insertion and the breast implant surgery and implant removal procedure. Ask about pain management and what to expect during recovery. Ask about breast implant surgery complications and what to do if they happen.
Breast Augmentation
Don’t be hesitant to ask questions. Such as, in which location the plastic surgeon will perform the surgery. Ask about the anesthesia and who will be administering it, a cosmetic surgeon or a certified anesthesiologist. Breast augmentation incisions typically placed in locations. Where resulting scars will easily hidden and inconspicuous.
Depending on the cosmetic surgeon’s recommendations on individual anatomy and desired outcome. Ask about the types of breast implant complications and what to do if they happen.
Post-op Recovery
Understand the recovery from a breast implant illness, the breast pain, swelling, bruising, and pain. Ask about breast implant illness complications and what to do if they happen. Ask about how long it will take to heal and when can you go back to normal activities.
The plastic surgeon may recommend wearing a surgical bra for smoother recovery and pain management.
Silicone vs. Saline – Breast Implant Safety
The FDA released a safety guidance for breast implant manufacturers and surgical staff in November 2019. It’s to increase patient confidence and transparency about the risks and complications of implant placement. Accepted by both the patients and the surgeons. Including plastic surgeons and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.
Breast Implant Risks and Complications
Understand the risks of breast implant surgery, rupture, rippling, and wrinkling. Ask about their policy for complications and do they cover the expenses. Consider getting cosmetic breast implant surgery complication insurance.
Breast Implant Maintenance and Care
Talk to your surgeon about silicone and saline breast implants. Ask about warranty and fees for rupture. Ask about breast cancer or implant complications and what to do if they happen.
Breast Augmentation Surgery FAQS
What’s the most natural breast job?
Silicone implants have a nice and comfortable look. The material feels like breast tissue. Widely preferred by many. It gives breasts a soft feel with more texture.
How to prepare for breast augmentation surgery?
Ask your plastic surgeon regularly the questions you may have. Especially for implant type when undergoing breast surgery. Firstly, follow the surgeon’s instructions to make your plastic breast surgery go smoother and heal faster. Then arrange for someone to take you home after surgery. Late, have someone to stay with you for the first night. Not to mention, you will have at least 3-day leave so prepare accordingly. Lastly, if you have labor-intensive tasks. Then 3 weeks of break time. Set up your home recovery areas.
What happens during breast augmentation consultation?
This consultation will help you think about the changes you want for your breasts. Make sure you’re healthy and have realistic expectations for breast reconstruction. The surgeon will ask detailed medical questions to evaluate your recent medical history.
Silicone vs Saline FAQS
What’s the newest breast implant?
New FDA approvals released for the use of silicates in the sea. Similarly, now approved to use the implants as breast implants and have natural skin tone. Nonetheless, this unique shape makes the implants a new feature for cosmetic surgeons. Designed as teardrop-shaped (textured implants) as traditional implants are, the implants have a more natural look.
What are the safest and healthiest breast implant types?
Both the saline breast implants and silicone breast implants are safer. However, there’s no study yet on the safety of this type of breast implantation either. The safety of implant placement in some types of breast implants (saline and silicone) is still being studied.
Which breast implant lasts the longest?
Breast implants are getting longer-lasting silicone breast implants. Bonded gel-filling round implants feel more stable to the touch. Because of folds in the breasts over time. The gels have less creasing in the implant shell than smooth implants.
What if the implant breaks?
Depending on the surgical procedure done on the implants, tearing might be the way to go.
Breast Augmentation Surgery – Combination Procedures Overview
Plastic surgeons perform multiple procedures with other types of breast jobs and implant procedure to get better results and address multiple concerns in one surgery.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
To uplift sagging breasts and reposition the nipples. This first implant operation is for individuals who want both volume and lift.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Combining tummy tuck with breast augmentation, also known as a “mommy makeover”. Moreover, addresses the breasts and the abdomen for a more overall body contouring result.
Liposuction
The procedure removes excess fat from the flanks, thighs, or abdomen. To further enhance body contours and complement breast augmentation results.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Combined Procedures?
Candidates for breast augmentation combination cosmetic surgery procedures should have:
Non-Smokers – Smoking can impede healing and increase complications.
Overall Health – Free from any serious health conditions that can complicate surgery or recovery.
Realistic Expectations – Candidates should know the outcome and limitations of the combined procedures.
Multiple Concerns – Want to increase breast size and address other areas of the body. Such as abdominal and chest muscle and breast skin contour at the same time.
What are the Benefits?
Combining procedures can give you more benefits. But also more risks and considerations.
Comprehensive Results – Addressing multiple areas in one surgery can give you more balanced and harmonious results.
One Recovery Period – One less outpatient surgical procedure performed, which also means one recovery period and less downtime.
What are the Associated Risks and Important Considerations?
The patients can minimize infection with proper wounds. However, there are a few considerations:
More Recovery Demands – Recovery may be more intense and require more care and support.
Surgeon’s Expertise – Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with combined procedures experience.
Longer Surgery Time – Combining procedures means longer surgery, increasing the risk of complications.
Personal Health – Check your overall health and discuss with your cosmetic surgeon regularly to ensure a safe and good outcome.
What is the Recovery Time?
Recovery time for breast augmentation combination procedures depends on the extent of the surgery and individual healing.
First Week – Expect swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Pain management and limited activity are key.
2-3 Weeks – Gradual return to light activities and work, no strenuous exercise and heavy lifting.
Full Recovery– Most patients have full recovery within 6-8 weeks. They can go back to normal activities. Including exercise, full recovery takes several months.
Silicone vs. Saline Breast Augmentation Expected Results
In fact, breast augmentation can give you a more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing breast profile. Above all, the procedure can correct noticeable breast asymmetry and improve breast shape and size.
Silicone vs. Saline – Breast Augmentation Cost
Certainly, the breast implant plastic surgery procedure cost varies depending on location, and type of breast implant procedure. Particularly, cosmetic surgeon expertise. However, ranges between $5,000 to $10,000. Call us or schedule a teleconsultation. To further inquire about breast implant options and pricing quotes for combined procedures.
