Silicone implants or saline implants- which one safer?

At the very beginning of the discovery of silicone implants, they were maligned and even pulled out of the market because there was the fear that there is link a between autoimmune disease and the implants.

However, completing studies and research no link has been found out between them. FDA finally approved the use of silicone breast implants in breast augmentation in the year 2006 with them been made available to the public in general.

However, they may not automatically be the best option available in the market. Silicone and saline implants each have a set of unique disadvantages and advantages.

Therefore the circumstances should be carefully evaluated and the options thoroughly discussed with the doctor to choose the best suited one.

Getting to know saline implants

Saline implants are firmer than the silicone implants, thus the feeling is not natural. Some patients even complain that they can manually distinguish the outside edge of the fill valve or saline implants.

There are however, very little difference between the look of the silicone enhanced breasts and the saline ones.

The saline ones may create some visible wrinkling or rippling but placing the implants under pectoral muscle reduces those chances.

In fact women who have enough natural breast tissue can cover the implants. Thus silicone ones are best suited for very slim women.

The main difference between silicone and saline implants is that the latter are put inside as completely empty and then they are filled up.

This results in a much smaller incision as compared to the silicones which come as pre-filled, leading to lesser scars.

The saline implant helps a doctor with the belly button approach or transumbilical approach for its placements. They can also place them via peri-areolar.

In fact filling up the implants afterwards allow the doctor in making adjustments in the volume.

What happens if saline implants leak or rupture?

In case of rupture, deflation occurs within a very short span. They may not be aesthetically desirable but can be very beneficial.

Since breast implants are not meant for a lifetime of use, they will leak or rupture some time or the other. In case of a rupture the implant should definitely be removed, whether it is saline or silicone.

If you have saline implants, the rupture will be immediately noticeable. A minute leakage may result in gradual loss of dimensions, despite an intact shell.

In case of a rupture there is safety factor that it is simple salt water which comprises of 70% of the body, so on the leakage of saline implants, they can be soaked up by the body without causing any harm.


Getting to know silicone breast implants

The feel of silicone breast implants is softer in comparison with saline ones and is much similar to natural breast tissue.

With silicone there are lesser chances of visible wrinkling or rippling. This has made some believe that silicone is better choice for very slim women or in the case of breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

What happens if silicone implants leak or rupture?

In case of a rupture, there will be no deflation. Although aesthetically it seems a good thing, it results in a situation called “silent” rupture which means that despite the rupture the patient is not aware of it.

In some cases, despite the rupture the silicone gel resides inside the capsule. There may be some silicone migration in some cases as well.

Adding to that, there is the possibility of the bleeding of microscopic silicone gel despite an intact shell. Gummy bear implants is believed to be more safe.

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