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How Are Under Muscle Saline Breast Implants Different from Silicone?

asked 2 years ago by AnnaH8785 in America
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 3,679 times
Tags: age 18-24, breasts, female, saline implants, silicone implant, under muscle, B cup, C cup, D cup, natural

I am looking into having breast implants very soon. I really would like to get silicone because of how much more natural they are, but I am only 19.

I am a 36B-34C and want to be a 36C-34D, so it would not be a huge difference and I already have some breast tissue. If I get saline implants under the muscle, would there be a huge difference with silicone? Would they feel and look natural?

18 answers to How Are Under Muscle Saline Breast Implants Different from Silicone?

Silicone vs Saline

To start with, the fact that you are 19yo, does not qualify you for silicone implants. That said, there is a lot of debate between the two. If you already have breast tissue and a nice amount of subcutaneous fat, the saline will be just fine. In the right hands, saline looks just as natural as gel. A good doctor will guide you thru your process and help you achieve a wonderful result, as well as tell you if what your asking for doesn't fit your body.

Foad Nahai, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

You can have a good result with saline breast implants.

Hi! 1) We have hundreds of patients with saline breast implants who are very happy. 2) You are a particularly good candidate for saline implants because you have a fair amount of breast tissue, you don't want very large implants (very wise), and they would go under the muscle. 3) But it is also true that, in general, results with silicone implants are somewhat more natural.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Difference between silicone and saline implants

At age 19, the FDA says you must have saline unless you wait 3 years to age 22. The difference between the two is basically a matter of feel, not look. If a saline patient leans way forward, they will probably feel some wrinkles or ripples along the outer edge of the implant. If they are very slender or have minimal breast tissue, they may also see those ripples. The salines may also feel firmer if they have been overfilled to minimize ripples and wrinkles. That being said, I have had... 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

Different Feel Same Look

It is sadly true that because of your age, the FDA will not permit you to have gel implants. However even thought there is a difference in feel, the appearance is the same. In my experience, young woman are extremely happy with saline implants slightly overfilled and placed submuscularly. I suspect you will be too.

Richard Linderman, MD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

Silicone versus saline

In my opinion, silicone implants provide a more natural feel and appearance that saline breast implants. Remember that as you age, and if you have children, then you will lose breast tissue. When this happens, the ripples in the saline implant may become visible with time.

Samer W. Cabbabe, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Silicone vs Saline

The debate goes on! You will find opinions on both side of this fence. Some of the facts to keep in mind are that both are safe to your health and FDA approved for use in breast augmentation. The limiting factor is how tight the scar of capsule, that surrounds all implants, gets. Another factor is the amount of breast tissue coverage there is to begin with. I suggest that you seek a few plastiic surgeons, with alot of experience in this field, for advice.

Rodger Wade Pielet, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Silicone versus saline implants: which is better?

Both silicone breast implants and saline breast implants have pros and cons. With you only being 19 and having a fair amount of natural breast tissue, you'll almost certainly get a great result with either silicone or saline implants. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration restricts placement of silicone gel implants in women under the age of 22 years for cosmetic breast augmentation, making saline implants your only real option until then. If you do decide to wait until you're 22 year old... more

Sam Jejurikar, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Saline and silicone implants both produce wonderful results

There are differences in the saline and silicone breast implants which may make one a better choice over the other for certain individuals, however with years of experience with both, we have happy patients and excellent results. In a submuscular position it can be difficult to distinguish between the two, even though when both are seen 'on the table' the silicone appears the natural choice. As you are 19, the saline implant should look great, feel soft and perform very well for many... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Silicone vs Saline Breast Implants

The muscle provides coverage of the breast implant superiorly and medially. Inferiorly and laterally the only coverage is the patients breast tissue and the skin. So yes over time you wil be able to tell the difference between the feel of saline and silicone breast implants. At the beginning you will likely not be able to tell the difference but once everything settles in you will be able to see there is a difference even if placed under the muscle. Having said that, you are out of the... more

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Saline vs silicone

In the US, you are not allowed to have silicone breast implants until you are 22. If you want silicone you will have to wait. SIlicone tend to feel more natural. If you have a lot of your own breast tissue to begin with, then the implant will probably have enough soft tissue to have saline feel pretty well.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Saline or silicone

You are very astute in your reasoning. When you feel the saline and the silicone implants outside the body they feel very, very different. When you put them in the body, the more stuff of the patient that covers them, i.e. skin, fat, breast tissue and muscle, the less of a difference there is in the final result. Given your current size and the size you want to go to it is perfectly reasonable to go with the saline even if you had the option of either one.

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Silicone vs Saline Breast Implants

You are correct that silicone implants provide a more natural appearance. If you are unwilling to wait until you can obtain silicone, saline implants placed beneath the muscle can lead to a good result and natural appearance in the hands of an experienced Plastic Surgeon.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Saline vs Silicone gel implants

Since you are only 19y.o. saline implants are the only choice for you at this time. The feel and look of any implant depends very much on your breast tissue and the size of implant you choose. The larger the implant - no matter what type - the less natural it will feel and appear. Although silicone gel implants do feel better that saline the appearance is the same. You can have an excellent result with saline implants as long as the size you choose is proportionate to your body type. Remeber... more

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Silicone vs Saline Breast Implants

The silicone implants are unfortunately restricted until age 22. However, there are some differences between silicone and saline implants. With saline implants you have more control over the volume you put into the implant. Saline implants have a range of volume and I think it is better to fill them to the maximal allowable volume. If there are differences in size between you breasts you can make up the difference with saline implants. With silicone implants, the volume cannot be changed.... more

John Burns, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Saline vs.Silicone

Assuming you have not complications such as capsular contracture that would alter the function of the implants, the most important determinant of naturalness is the proportion of your final breast that is comprised of the implant vs. natural tissue. If most of your final breast volume is still your natural breast and you choose an implant that is easily hidden by your natural breast tissue, that is the best scenario for a natural-appearing and feeling breast. If your final breast becuase... more

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

Under the muscle Saline implants

This would be an issue when you reach age 22 - until then you only choice s saline breast implants. Silicone implants are more expensive, lighter, crease less and feel more natural BUT require a larger incision for implant placement and when they leak only a MRI (over 1,000 dollars) can definitively tell when the implants have leaked. Saline breast implants are cheaper, heavier, crease more but can be placed through much smaller incisions, can be filled differentially to compensate for a... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Silicone versus saline implants.

As Dr. Rand has discussed there are some slight differences to the feel and look of saline particularly in certain postions. However, silicones are restricted for use in women 22 years and older. So this really is not a viable option for you. see video