Saline or Silicone Breast Implants – What’s The Difference?

What are the differences between saline and silicone breast implants? How about the risks of breast implants? What happens if an implant were to rupture? Get the answers to these questions and more!

If you, like many are considering breast implants, you might think how you should approach choosing between saline-filled and silicone gel implants. Below, Dr. Stile will help you evaluate your options.

What’s Better – Saline or Silicone?

If there was truly an implant that was better than the other, there would only be one implant available. Each implant has pro’s and con’s. Silicone implants feels and looks more natural, ripples less and has a lower risk of rupture. Saline implants look a little less natural and ripples a bit more. The incision it quite smaller with saline in comparison to silicone. If a saline breast implant ruptures, you will know because your breast becomes smaller. If a silicone implant ruptures, it’s difficult to tell because there are typically no signs. An MRI is recommended to determine if the implant is ruptured.

What’s the difference between saline and silicone?

Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. When they are first inserted, the implant is empty, and then filled once in place. Saline implants are available to women aged 18 and older for breast augmentation and to women of any age forbreast reconstruction.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone Breast Implants Silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel. This gel is a thick, sticky fluid that closely resembles the feel of human fat. Most of our patients feel that silicone breast implants look and feel like a more natural breast. Silicone implants are available to women as early 18, but at the discretion of the physician, and for women of any age for breast reconstruction.

What are the risks of Breast Implants?

Both saline and silicone breast implants pose similar risks:

• Breast Pain
• Scar tissue that distorts shape of implant (capsular contracture)
• Infection Implant Leakage / Rupture
• Changes in nipple and breast sensation – temporary in most cases

Having to correct any of these complications may require additional surgery, either to replace or remove the implant(s).

What happens if an implant ruptures?

If an implant were to rupture, the approach may vary depending whether it’s a saline or silicone implant.

• Ruptured Saline ImplantA rupture to a saline breast implant occurs, the implant will deflate – causing the deflated breast to change in size and shape. The solution that leaks will be absorbed by your body without posing health risks, but you’ll most likely need surgery to remove the silicone shell. If you’d like, a new implant can likely be implanted at the same time.
• Ruptured Silicone ImplantIf a silicone implant is ruptured, you may not notice right away – or ever. It’s difficult to tell because silicone tends to remain trapped inside fibrous tissue (capsule) that forms around the implant. This is called a silent rupture.

Silicone gel that leaks isn’t known to cause systemic or long-term health problems – such as connective tissue disease (rheumatoid arthritis), reproductive problems or breast cancer. Regardless, a ruptured silicone breast implant may eventually cause breast pain, or change the contour or shape of the breast. If this rupture would occur, your surgeon will likely recommend removing it surgically.

If an MRI scan detects a rupture in the implant but you have do not have signs or symptoms, it may be up to you and your doctor to weight the options our of keeping the implant intact or removing it.

Is breast implant safety actively monitored?

Both implants, saline and silicone are considering safe for breast augmentation and reconstruction. Research is ongoing in which researchers look for evidence of continued safety and effectiveness of both saline and silicone implants.

What should I consider before breast implant (augmentation) surgery?

If you’re considering breast augmentation, it’s important to understand what it’s going to mean to have breast If you’re considering breast augmentation, it’s important to understand what it’s going to mean to have breast implants. In addition to altering your appearance, remember:

Breast implants will not prevent breast sagging.

To correct sagging breasts, you might consider a breast lift (mammoplasty) in addition to breast augmentation.

Breast implants are not guaranteed for a lifetime.

You know that an implant rupture is a possibility. Additionally, your breasts will continue to age after breast augmentation – and various factors such as weight loss and gain may further change the way your breasts appear. Any of these issues may lead to additional surgical procedures.

You might need routine MRI scans.

The FDA recommends checking up on silicone breasts ever two years, beginning three years are the initial surgery. However, debates continue on the benefit of routine MRI scans due to costs and having potential risk to lead to unnecessary surgery.

Mammograms may be more complicated.

If you’ve had breast implants, routine mammograms may require specialized views.

Breast implants may prevent breast-feeding.

While most women are able to breast-feed after breast augmentation surgery, a small percentage cannot.

What’s the final word breast augmentation surgery consideration?

Based on the patient’s breast anatomy, body type and various other factors, Dr. Stile may recommend one type of implant over the other for optimal, realistic results. The ultimate choice of saline or silicone implants is up to you!

BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS

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*Individual Results May Vary

Dr. Stile and his staff will make you feel like you’re family. They really care and it shows. I had a breast augmentation, tummy tuck and liposuction. Dr. Stile is very talented. I couldn’t be happier results. I highly highly recommend him!

– Elicia L.

Best plastic surgeon in Las Vegas. Picking the best doctor to perform procedures is important and I wouldn’t chose any other plastic surgeon. My eyes still look great!

– Susan S.

I’m a mother of 2 and I recently had a breast augmentation done by Dr. Stiles. I had a lift with an implant. I explained to Dr. Stiles that I wanted full and perky breast, but I didn’t want them to be too large . He achieved the perfect look for me! My entire experience has been wonderful thus far. His assistant Cynthia is also amazing. She was available to address my concerns day or night. If you are looking for a cosmetic surgeon in Vegas. I highly recommend Dr. Stiles and his entire staff.

– Caren M.

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TAKE THE FIRST STEP

Please fill out the form on this page to request an in-person consultation and one of our knowledgeable medical staff members at Stile Aesthetics will reach out to you promptly. You can also call our office directly at (702) 551-6603.

Stile Aesthetics serves Las Vegas, NV & Surrounding Areas.

Dr. Frank L. Stile, MD, FACS

Dr. Frank L. Stile is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. His office is in Las Vegas. The office is luxuriously appointed and has won awards for original designs and decor. His practice provides the full spectrum of cosmetic surgery procedures. Dr. Stile has had the privilege of helping over 10,000 patients achieve their cosmetic surgical goals. Originally from New York City, Dr. Stile graduated high school at the age of 15 and began medical training at the City University of New York’s Accelerated 7-year combined Undergraduate and Medical School Program. He completed his clinical training at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. His post-doctorate training included 12 years of residency. During that time, Dr. Stile received specialized surgical training at four academic institutions of excellence. He is the published author of articles and book chapters in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Microsurgery literature. He has presented research at National and International Plastic Surgery Conferences. Dr. Stile regularly visits with leaders in the field of cosmetic plastic surgery, facilitating the exchange of ideas and constantly refining his techniques. Dr. Stile has long held an interest in the martial sciences, specifically mixed martial arts. His personal and professional relationships with the stars of MMA have made him the most trusted and requested plastic surgeon by champions of the sport. Dr. Stile has innovated and published techniques for both treating new facial injuries and preventing recurrent injuries in “cut-prone” fighters. His work has been featured in such publications as the New York Times, Maxim Magazine, and Real Fighter Magazine, in addition to numerous television and radio shows. Dr. Stile is an avid illustrator, painter, and sculptor. His work adds to the decor of both his home and office. He is also the published author of two children’s books. His greatest accomplishment, second only to being a husband and father, was the establishment of the Frank L. Stile Foundation in 2011. The goal of this non-profit was to serve and support the needs of children in crisis. To date, this initiative has helped provide over TEN MILLION meals for food insecure children and their families in addition to providing resources for medical care.

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