Choosing Saline or Silicone

We’ll help you make a confident choice

Is a desire for the most natural feeling implant at the top of your list? Or do you want the smallest incisions possible? How much existing breast tissue do you have now? These are all questions that Dr. Samaha will go over during your consultation to help you choose what type of breast implants you would like to have: saline or silicone.

We have many happy patients who have either kind; what is most important is finding the right fit for your body and your goals.

Saline Breast Implants

Until about a decade ago, the vast majority of breast augmentation surgeries have used saline implants. The outer shell of a saline implant is made of strong, flexible silicone rubber and the inside is filled with saline, a sterile saltwater solution.

While fewer women choose saline implants these days, they can still be an excellent, cost-effective choice for the right patient. Dr. Samaha will help you decide at your personal consultation.

Pros & Cons of Saline Implants

• Because they are filled during surgery, saline implants provide easy implant placement and adjustability.
• Should the contents of the implant enter the body for any reason, the body can safely absorb the saline.
• They cost less than silicone implants.
• They are slightly heavier and firmer than silicone gel breast implants.
• Saline implants can be more prone to visible wrinkling, particularly in thinner patients with little natural breast tissue to cover the implant.

Silicone Gel Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants have become popular once again, quickly outpacing saline implants since their re-introduction in 2006, following a design improvement and FDA approval. Composed of silicone rubber and filled with cohesive silicone gel, they closely mimic the characteristics of natural breast tissue.

Pros & Cons of Silicone Gel Implants

• Silicone breast implants are generally smoother, softer, and lighter than saline implants.
• They have a softer, more natural feel and appearance.
• Since they come pre-filled from the manufacturer, silicone implants usually require a slightly larger incision.
• While uncommon, a rupture can typically only be detected via MRI or ultrasound.

Are silicone breast implants safe?

Even now, after FDA approval, misinformation still prevails about silicone implants. The truth is, silicone breast implants were used widely from 1963 to 1992, in literally millions of patients. During this time, they had some design flaws which caused some local problems. However, media reports that tried to correlate connective tissue diseases with the use of silicone breast implants were false, and not backed by scientific evidence.

In 2006, the restrictions were lifted based on new, re-designed “cohesive gel” implants, and surgeons once again are able to utilize silicone implants. With the improvements in silicone implant technology, several excellent options are now on the market.

Dr. Samaha is Keller Funnel Certified

An advancement in silicone breast augmentation delivery, the Keller Funnel™ is a soft, sterile device that many plastic surgeons throughout the United States. Because the Keller Funnel reduces necessary incision size, allows for more precise implant placement, and reduces the risk of implant damage, Dr. Samaha uses it for most breast augmentations using silicone implants. Continue reading»