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Just Booked Surgery for Saline Implants, but Worried I Should Go for Silicone. Opinion?

asked 9 months ago by BriG in NY
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 705 times
Tags: saline implants, silicone implant, comparison, worried

I am 22 yrs old and 5'4" 110 lbs. I have a very small frame. I feel safer going with saline implants because of the bad rep silicone used to have. Although my surgeon suggests silicone implants and assures me of their safety, I still feel anxious/scared about them. Many of my friends have gone with the silicone gel but I really don't think I can go through with it. Is this a big mistake? will they look rediculous!? I'm petrified to go through with the surgery and hate the results.

16 answers to Just Booked Surgery for Saline Implants, but Worried I Should Go for Silicone. Opinion?

Silicone or saline, find your comfort zone

Both the saline and silicone gel breast implants are used in breast augmentation and though some say the gel is 'better', we still use many saline implants and feel you would not make a mistake with a saline implant. A submuscular saline has minimal ripples, stays soft, goes in through a very small incision, looks as great as gel, and lasts as long or longer than gel, needs no MRI tests, is easier to replace, and as you are young at some point you will need a replacement. Both are... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Silicone Implants Are Preferable

I recommend silicone implants to all of my patients although many still opt for saline (usually because of the cost differential). I definitely think silicone gives more natural results than saline and are less likely to demonstrate rippling. The FDA would not have allowed the silicone implants to return to the augmentation market if they had any significant safety concerns. They were allowed in those intervening years to be used in breast reconstruction patients and were... more

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Saline or Silicone?

You will likely have a nice result with either saline or silicone. I agree that there may be more advantages with silicone, however if you would feel more comfortable with saline than I would proceed as planned. Your peace of mind is important regardless of scientific evidence supporting the safety of silicone. You are young and most likely be having your implants changed when they deflate someday. You may want to reconsider silicone at that time.

Marialyn Sardo, MD
La Jolla Plastic Surgeon

Saline or Silicone?

You are very petite and your breasts have slight asymmetry and they are laterally displaced. Creating the pocket more centrally and settling on a smaller implant is your best option. There are some advantages of silicone over saline(and vice versa) but if you are concerned about silicone, then go with saline implants. Good luck.

Raj Chowdary, MD
Allentown Plastic Surgeon

Just Booked Surgery for Saline Implants, but Worried I Should Go for Silicone. Opinion?

Regarding: "22 yrs old and 5'4" 110 lbs. I have a very small frame. I feel safer going with saline implants because of the bad rep silicone used to have. Although my surgeon suggests silicone implants and assures me of their safety, I still feel anxious/scared about them. Many of my friends have gone with the silicone gel but I really don't think I can go through with it. Is this a big mistake? will they look rediculous!? I'm petrified to go through with the surgery and... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Saline or Silicone?

Both saline and silicone implants are good options as long as they are properly sized for you. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of them which I'm sure your plastic surgeon discussed with you so there isn't really one that is much better than the other. The best implant for you is the one you are comfortable with after you have reviewed the options.

Adam Hamawy, MD
Westchester Plastic Surgeon

Saline vs silicone gel breast augmentation

Both saline and silicone implants can give great looking results as long as the right implant is chosen for your frame and starting point and desires. The main difference is that in slender patients with minimal breast tissue, when they lean forward the lower outer edge of the implant can be rippled or wrinkled. You are slender enough that this might bother you. If so, consider the gel. If not, and if saline feels safer to you, go forward as planned.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Saline or silicone implants?

In general, silicone gel implants do provide a better aesthetic results (from a visual and feel standpoint) for patients who lack soft tissue coverage. Based on your picture, it appears that you have a small frame associated with minimal soft tissue/adipose tissue coverage. From this standpoint, you will likely have a better long-term results with silicone gel implants, in my opinion. On the other hand, peace of mind is an important consideration. If you have anxiety associated with the... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant anxiety

From what you say, you are not comfortable with gel implants and I am sure you have discussed the pros and cons of each type. Do what makes you feel best and do not listen to your friends. If you have more questions, ask your surgeon.

Richard Linderman, MD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

Saline vs gels

Dear BriG, Tough question but best issue to resolve pre op. There is no perfect implant. The appearance of appropriate size and dimension implants (salines or gels) is virtually indistinguishable visually. However the "feel" is different. The question to answer is the increased probability of rippling and crinkling feel of the saline implant going to annoy you? I might recommend that you talk with your Plastic Surgeon more... more

Craig Harrison, MD
Tyler Plastic Surgeon

Silicone vs Saline Implants is a Personal Decision

Any woman choosing to have breast augmentation should learn the advantages and disadvantages of silicone gel and saline implants and make the choice that is right for her. Every choice has upsides and downsides. Gel implants look and feel better in very small breasted women. For those with a moderate amount of their own breast to cover the implant, the difference is quite small. Silicone implants do require long term follow up to see if the envelope remains... more

Mary Lee Peters, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.maryleepetersmd.com

Saline vs silicone breast implants

Gel silicone (gummy beear; cohesive gel) are far superior to saline implants: they are softer, more natural in look and feel, have less rippling/wrinkling problems, and are warranteed for life (at least the Mentor ones are). Saline implants are either too firm or too wrinkly and tend to deflate after about ten years due to "crease fold" or valve failure. I do not think saline implants have a role anymore given the safety and performance of the latest generation gel implants. more

Daniel Greenwald, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Just Booked Surgery for Saline Implants, but Worried I Should Go for Silicone. Opinion?

Over the internet to try and advise in helping you make this decision very hard. It is very personal to each person/patient. Besides the added costs of the silicone and the slightly larger incision, you need to consider your asymmetry of the breasts. So you can see internet advise is very superficial. Best to obtain a second in person opinion.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Don't put anything inside your body that is going to make you nervous.

Hi. Silicone implants are safe, we use them 95% of the time, and they give somewhat better results. But the most important thing is for you not to lose sleep at night. The results with saline implants are certainly good enough. There are many women very happy with their saline implants. So I think that is what you should go with. But they must be overfilled beyond the manufacturer's recommendations in order to minimize rippling, and they must go under... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Silicone vs. Saline Implants

One could say if you've never had chocolate then you don't know what it tastes like...meaning if you opt for saline implants...I am quite sure you'll be happy. However, having said that there is no question that silicone implants are much softer, look more natural and mimic a natural breast in comparison to saline. You need not worry about the safety of silicone implants. There was a 14 year study done on silicone implants and that's why they are back on the market... more

Jeffrey Hartog, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Gel vs saline implants

If your implants are placed over the muscle, I would recommend gel implants because there is less of a chance of your being aware of the shell of the implant. Small saline implants (300cc's or less) behind the muscle will give you a great result with less chance of your feeling the "ripples". Larger saline implants under the muscle increase the chance of your being able to feel the "ripples" on the outer aspect of your breast mound. ... more