The most important choice a woman makes in breast
augmentation is the choice of filler material of the breast
implant. As of 2006, silicone gel implants became available
again and thus one has to choose between saline (which has
been the only implant option available since 1992) and now
silicone. The thing to remember is.....neither type of
breast implant is perfect. If one was so much 'better' than
the other....we would have only one implant type, not two.
Both can satisfactorily increase breast size equally well,
they just have some different features (pluses and
minuses). Knowing what their benefits and liabilities are
can help you make the right choice for you.
Saline implants have the following benefits: 1) They are
put in deflated, rolled up, and inflated after they are in
proper position. Therefore, they can be put in through very
small remote incisions such as the armpit, 2) They cost
less than silicone, typically $1,000 less per operation,
and 3) They are the most natural material (salt water) so
if they leak, you are essentially just taking a big drink
of water. Saline implants have the following two
liabilities: 1) They have the phenomenon of wrinkling or
rippling. In other words, you will be able to feel, and
sometimes see, ripples along the bottom and sides of your
breasts. Most saline breast implant patients will
experience this 'normal' appearance, 2) The risk of
spontaneous deflation (rupture of the implant) is ever
present and increases the longer the implants are in place.
When a saline implant fails (ruptures), you will know it
almost immediately because you will develop a 'flat tire'
quite quickly. While some saline breast implants may never
deflate, it is unlikely they will last beyond 10 to 20
years.
Silicone implants have exactly the opposite benefits and
liabilities of saline implants. On the positive side, 1)
Silicone breast implants do not have the ripple phenomenon
that saline implants do. Therefore, they feel the most
natural. It can be very difficult, by feel, to ever know
that a breast has a silicone implant in place, and 2) While
a silicone gel implant can rupture, the filler material is
cohesive and does not come flowing out. As a result, the
breast does not deflate in size or get smaller. The
ruptured implant is essentially undetectable, and as long
as the breast remains soft and pain-free, you can live with
a ruptured silicone breast implant without the need for
further surgery. On the liability side, 1) Silicone
implants come pre-filled, thus needing a larger incision to
surgically implant it. The most common incision location
for silicone implants is in the inframammary crease (breast
fold). Remote incisions like the armpit, and often even the
nipple, are not big enough to insert the implant through.
And 2) they cost more than saline, at least $1,000 more in
most cases. Lastly, the issue of potential health risks
from silicone breast implants has been put to bed after
many years of extensive studies by implant manufacturers
and the FDA.
The best way to chose which type of breast implant is for
you......which of the negatives can you live with the
best......risk of rippling and deflation (saline)......or
higher cost and a bigger incision (silicone)...the choice
is truly yours!
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Dr Barry Eppley runs a private plastic surgery practice
through his hospital-based medspa locations at Clarian
Health in Indianapolis. To learn more about the latest
trends in plastic surgery, spa therapies, or skin care, go
to his daily blog, http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com .
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