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Saline Vs Silicone Breast Implants for a More Natural Look?

asked 2 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 4,445 times
Tags: breasts, female, saline implants, silicone implant, 300-349cc, comparison, natural

I'm getting Breast Augmentation in 2 months. I had originally decided on a 320cc silicone implant, but now feel safer going with saline.I contacted my plastic surgeon and it was clear she was trying to dissuade me from going this route. She believes I will be much happier with the look of silicone and stated that she rarely does a saline implant anymore, as almost all of her patients request silicone. Please help me make heads or tails with this decision I need to make. Can a saline implant give a comparable natural look?

16 answers to Saline Vs Silicone Breast Implants for a More Natural Look?

Silicone versus saline implants

Some of the reasons for visible rippling, which tend to be higher with saline implants include: 1. thin skin and minimal breast tissue with visibility of normal folds 2. moderate profile saline implants are more likely to ripple than high profile saline 3. saline are more likely to ripple than silicone implants 4. over the muscle placement are more likely ot have visible rippling than under the muscle 5. weight loss may make rippling more noticeable 6. involutional... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Saline and silicone breast implants will look the same

There has been a general push toward the silicone gel breast implant and a feeling that patients will be 'happier' with the gel. The bare truth is that both work very well and I defy anyone to show a picture of a well performed breast augmentation and be able to tell if the implant is indeed gel or saline. Both will look very natural. The next issue is feel. It is true that the saline breast implant will have a greater tendency to show through a ripple, especially in thin skin, however... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

The "look" of saline vs gel implants

If you looked at 10 patients with breast implants, half with gel and half saline, you would not be able to tell them apart based on the "look." Each look fine. The only difference is in the "feel." If a saline patient leans way forward, you can typically feel or sometimes even see ripples along the lower outside edge of the implant. If that wouldn't bother you and if you feel "safer" with the saline, go with them! Make sure they are under the muscle.... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Saline or silicone?

Much of the final “look” achieved after breast augmentation surgery depends on several factors: 1. The initial shape, size (volume of breast tissue), symmetry of the patient's breasts. In general, the better the preoperative breast appearance the more likely the breast augmentation “look” will be optimal. 2. The experience/skill level of the surgeon is important in determining the final outcome. For example, the accurate and gentle dissection... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Saline v/s Silicone implants

Silicone implants generally feel more natural than saline implants particularly in thin patients or patients with thin skin Saline implants need to be filled to the correct volume to reduce the incidence of rippling.This volume differs depending on each patients tissues The adjustable saline implant (spectrum) has numerous advantages .The volume can be accurately adjusted after surgery , not only to reduce rippling , but to allow the patient to have input into the final size of her... more

Hilton Becker, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Saline vs silicone

In never try to "push" my patients into one or the other implant, because inevitably they will be unhappy in the long run. I do discuss the pros and cons. I think in most cases silicone will feel more natural. Saline are easier to detect when they rupture and are easier to insert, and easier to adjust volume differences. The saline also have potential palpable valves.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Go for Silicone Breast Implants for a more natural look

If it is a close choice for you, go with SILICONE. Yes, great results have been achieved with both saline and gel implants. The advantages of saline are lower cost, ability to be placed through a smaller incision and by being able to put more or less saline in - we can correct minor asymmetries. The advantages of gel implants are, they are lighter, they ripple less and they feel much more like the real breast tissue. Good luck.

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Saline breast implants are fine.

Hi! 1) Silicone breast implants are safe, and usually give somewhat better results. But I have lots of patients with saline implants who are very happy. 2) Don't put anything inside your body that is going to cause you to lose any sleep. It doesn't matter whether you are right or not to worry. 3) For you, I would use saline implants. see video

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Saline vs silicone implants

You should first be aware that there are no health risks of saline or silicone implants. Silicone implants have been studied extensively over the past 20 years and are FDA approved. You can have a very natural result with either saline or silicone. Saline and silicone "look" quite similar. However, silicone breast implants "feel" more natural to the touch; this is why most patients and surgeons are now using more silicone breast implants. One potential problem with... more

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Silicone vs Saline

No one can answer this question but you. I can tell you that in my experience patients who have health concerns over the long run are psychologically better off with saline. Here is an analogy: Many people have a fear of flying and they refuse to take a plane. They will travel by any other means just so they don't have to worry about a plane crash. It may be less convenient to take the bus or the train but they feel pshychologically much better doing that. The same goes for gel implants.... more

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Silicone vs. saline: safety, look, feel

You mentioned that your concern is safety, which I wuold advise is misplaced. The differences between silicone and saline breast implants relate mostly to how they feel, as the other posts mention. If you are thin and have small breasts then the silicone can be more natural appearing.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Look of Saline vs Silicone gel implants

The real difference in saline vs. silicone implants comes in the feel and not the look. They are both round implants and the look is the same. The appearance of your breasts after augmentation surgery comes from the pre-surgical appearance of your own breasts and the size of the implant you choose. The larger you go, the less natural your breasts will appear. If you choose a proportionately sized implant, then you will have a good result no matter the type of implant. However, the feel of a... more

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

LOOK VS. FEEL

Saline or silicone implants are intrinsically not more or less natural-looking. It is more the feel of the implanted breast that is more natural with silicone when it functions as designed. The look is more related to your natural breast shape and size and the choice of size, dimension, and style, as well as position of the implant(above or below the muscle) rather than the choice of filler material.If you have a good fit between your breasts and the implant, you can look very natural, or... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Ditto

I agree with Dr Lentz - I feel that silicone is more natural looking and feeling. No matter which implants you have you can always have a capsule contracture and other problems that change the look. But in general - my patients and I prefer silicone.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Results can be good for both saline and silicone breast implants

Good results can be had with both. To a large extent the decision of one versus the other depends on the patient's natural breast/chest anatomy. The thin patient with minimal tissue would often do better with the silicone implant in terms of ripples, and a natural feel. Otherwise, saline is acceptable. Safety is not really a consideration as I feel both are "safe". Deflation is a possibility, and the saline implants go flat. The silicone implant, more involved and hence the need... more

Michael A. Marschall, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Your plastic surgeon is giving you good advice, Silicone gel over saline breast implants

While almost all patients are happy with saline implants, I feel secure in telling you that silicone gel implants look and feel better and more natural.