Posted by LawtonMD on July 2, 2017
For women considering breast augmentation or reconstruction, one of the first questions to come up is, inevitably, “saline or silicone?”
The answer, as with so many other questions regarding cosmetic procedures, is “it depends.” It depends on your preferences, your goals, and your situation. And it depends on what you feel most comfortable with after consulting with an expert, such as board-certified Newport Beach plastic surgeon Dr. Tenley Lawton.
Here’s a brief primer on saline implants versus silicone implants. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and both can offer excellent results for women seeking to improve their self-confidence.
Saline implants
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water — which appeals to many women who prefer to have a natural substance in their implants. If the implant leaks, it’s noticeable immediately, and the saline will be absorbed and expelled naturally by the body. They offer flexibility, too, from incision points to sizing: Even though an implant size is determined before surgery, the saline implant shell is inserted empty and then filled, so minor adjustments can be made.
Silicone implants
Silicone implants are FDA-approved for breast-augmentation patients over the age of 22 and breast-reconstruction patients of any age. Many patients (and surgeons) believe the texture of silicone gel used in implants offers a look and feel that better approximates breast tissue. Because of this, however, a ruptured silicone implant can be harder to detect, because the difference in the breast may not be as visible as with a leaking saline implant.
It’s important to note that ruptures are rare, especially when your procedure is performed by a qualified surgeon such as Orange County’s Dr. Lawton. Also, according to the Susan G. Komen organization, which raises funds to fight breast cancer, implants do not appear to increase the risk of this disease.
Have more questions about breast augmentation, or silicone versus saline implants? Contact Dr. Lawton today, or visit our page on breast procedures at www.lawtonmd.com.