Are Breast Implants Right for You?

There are two popular types of breast implants available on the market today; saline and silicone implants.  Banned from the market in 1992 by the FDA because of claims linking gel-filled implants to autoimmune and connective tissue disease, silicone breast implants were re-approved for use late 2006.

“Both saline and silicone implants have silicone elastomer shells,” says Dr. Jeffrey D, Wagner of Wagner and Associates Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Consultants.  “The difference is the filler material; salt water for saline implants and a viscous silicone gel for silicone implants.”

There are other differences that go beyond the fillers.

• The procedure.  With saline implants, a deflated shell is inserted into the breast through a small incision.  The incision is tiny and hidden in a remote location like the armpit or in the belly button.  Once in place, the implant is inflated using a small tube, which injects saline solution into the sac.  This is probably the safest implant because there is nothing safer than water.  So, if you are a believer in ultimate medical safety, it is, in theory, the safest.  Conversely, a silicone implant is implanted fully inflated through a 2- to 3-inch incision.  This incision is much more obvious, usually located in the breast flap.
• Follow-up care.  The follow-up care differs as well.  The FDA recommends patients to obtain a MRI study of the (silicone) gel implants three years after they are placed, and then every two years thereafter to check for a silent leak in the gel implant.  The result of this recommendation is additional medical tests and out-of-pocket costs for the patients.
• Cost.  The cost to get implants is estimated at $4,000- $10,000, depending upon the implant chosen. The saline implant is the least expensive option.  By using saline, a patient will cut the cost of implants by at least $1,000.

So, why not go with saline over silicone?  Silicone gel has a more natural feel to the touch, and also a more natural movement.  The average person can usually feel the difference between a natural breast and a breast with a saline augmentation, whereas a really good silicone augmentation can be difficult to detect by even an experienced medical examiner.

Another reason is simple.  It’s a bag full of water.  If you ever get a hole in it for whatever reason, water is going to come out and you will have an instant flat tire.  Silicone gels will not lose their shape if a leak or tear occurs, and they’re not dangerous to the body, based on recent studies.

There is a newer option called cohesive implants or gummy bear implants.  This option is by far the most natural looking and feeling.  The cohesive gel implant can’t leak and feels like “gummy bears,” very natural.

Cohesive gel implants are made of a silicone polymer composition, which is thicker and stickier than the traditional silicone gel implants, which are more fluid.  The rationale behind stickier gel compositions is that if they rupture, the gel stays localized to the implant shell.

How do you decide which option is right for you?  The options are given to inform you to help you make the best educated decision on what you want—in case you opt to go for a breast augmentation.