Breast augmentation stands as the most requested aesthetic surgery in the United States and has been so for quite some time. Breast implants can give you the plump, full bust you want, but deciding between saline and silicone can be confusing. This is especially true if you are in the first stages of research and aren’t sure yet as to which may be right for you. Some women are also excellent candidates for either type of implant, so your surgeon may leave the choice to you.

Necessary Incision Size

Silicone implants come from the manufacturer already filled to their correct size while saline implants arrive empty, are inserted and then filled to the desired size. For this reason, the incision to insert a silicone implant may be larger than the incision needed to insert a saline implant. If you want scarring to be as small as possible, saline may be a better choice.

Feel by Touch

When you or an intimate partner touch your breast, you may not want to feel the implant. Silicone is known to be around the same firmness as normal breast tissue, making it next to impossible to detect. Saline implants are easier to detect due to their slightly less firm feel. If a natural feel is important to you, silicone may be the wiser option.

Available Sizes

Silicone implants come pre-filled while saline implants may be filled by the surgeon. If you have a noticeable difference in the size of your breasts, you may want saline so you can have the sizes adjusted until both breasts are the same size. For women with noted asymmetry, trying to balance the breasts with pre-filled silicone implants may not give you the ‘matched set’ you want.

Leakage Concerns

Even though a leaking silicone implant will not usually cause you any distress, some women are not comfortable with the possibility and opt for saline. With saline implants, you will notice a leak almost immediately because the implant will deflate like a balloon as the saline is flushed out of your system.

A leaking silicone implant, however, can go unnoticed for years. The silicone normally stays clustered around the implant and can be removed and replaced at your convenience.

Deciding between saline and silicone breast implants is an important choice and not one to make lightly. If you need guidance or have questions, contact the office of Dr. Wendell Perry today to schedule an appointment. We’ll be happy to review your case and discuss your concerns.