Breast Augmentation Q&A

92%

WORTH IT RATING

774 Reviews

Ask a Question

Breast Augmentationbefore & after photos

View Before and Afters

Average Breast Augmentation Cost: $6,200

Learn about Breast Augmentation

3,418 people and 890 doctors are talking about Breast Augmentation

Get Free Email Updates

I've Had 2 Breast Augmentation Consultations and I'm More Confused Than Ever, Silicone or Saline?

asked 5 months ago by Need more Info in Ashland, KY
Latest answer by John G. Apostolides, MD
Question viewed 303 times
Tags: saline implants, silicone implant, consultation, options

I have breast feed 2 children, youngest one is now 2 years old, now my breasts are shrunken and sagging somewhat. One surgeon suggested a lift and silicone under the muscle going in through the nipple. The other said he would go in under the breast and insert a saline inplant. I have done figure competitions in the past and would like to get back to it. I don't want to have to worry about rippling or noticable scarring. What's best for me. I'm small framed, 5'5", 136lbs, 34 yrs old.

22 answers to I've Had 2 Breast Augmentation Consultations and I'm More Confused Than Ever, Silicone or Saline?

Confused by differing opinions - Saline vs Silicone

As for appearance, there is far less rippling with a silicone gel filled implant than with a saline implant. The feel of a breast with a silicone gel impalnt is usually more natural. All this must be taken into consideration with the type of tissue you have. If you are 22 yrs old and have firm moderate B cups to start, you could probably use either and get a great result. If you have had children and suffered post partum atrophy, a silicone gel is usually abetter choice if you want the best... more

Mark D. Epstein, MD
Stony Brook Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Types

Silicone gel implants look more natural and feel softer with less chance of visible wrinkling. Studies show silicone implants do not increase the incidence of disease or the chances of developing breast or other cancers. The FDA recommends MRI scans to follow gel implants postop. Saline implants, on the other hand, are less expensive. I can insert a saline implant through a smaller incision and can more easily adjust for minor size discrepancies between each breast during surgery.... more

Joe Gryskiewicz, MD
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation: Saline vs Silicone, Under vs Over the muscle, Lift vs No Lift

Breast Augmentation is a very safe and extremely common aesthetic surgery. No matter what type of cosmetic surgery you have, it is very important that you have a board certified plastic surgeon, and that you and your surgeon develop a surgical plan tailored to your body, goals, and anatomy. Commonly, following pregnancy and breast feeding, a breast lift in addition to augmentation with an implant can create very aesthetic results with symmetry, shape, size, and... more

John G. Apostolides, MD
La Jolla Plastic Surgeon

Silicone versus saline, general considerations.

Choosing silicone versus saline implants is based on the physical characteristics of each implant, the breast into which the implant is placed, and the recommended follow up necessary to look for changes in that implant. A few general considerations should be addressed when making this choice: ALL implants can ripple. Silicone implants tend to be less noticeable than saline implants due to the different viscosities silicone and saline. Regardless, rippling is a factor of the breast... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Silicone or saline implants? Both are FDA cleares as safe.

Saline implants are firmer and are prone to rippling. Silicone implants are softer, a little bit lighter, and ripple less. If you are thin, then silicone is probably the way to go. At the end of the day, it's your call on deciding what is best for you.

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

Silicone or Saline implants

In my own honest opinion I do not believe anyone can tell the difference in the appearance between gel or saline filled implants. The saline does feel firmer and is more prone to rippling. If you are very thin then the gel implant would probably be your best option as it will feel more natural and have a less risk of rippling. In my practice I find that half of my patients are selecting gel and half saline. It mostly depends on what the individual patient's... more

Gary Hall, MD
Kansas City Plastic Surgeon

www.hallmd.com

Saline or Silicone

Hi! Thank you for your question. It is a little difficult to determine which would be best for you without any pictures. As the other doctors have stated, it would be in your benefit to seek an examination with a board certified plastic surgeon. On that note, there are benefits to both types of implants. Silicone implants are known for a more natural look and feel, which has led to them being the more popular choice. However, they do require a MRI screening every... more

Sam Speron, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Confusion through multiple consultations

You are confused with 2 recommendations from 2 different plastic surgeons. You can see several more and may obtain additional options - and more confusion; or you may find some general trend. Of course, there potentially can be several ways to accomplish an end in plastic surgery. Silicone implants definitely provide a more natural result in look and feel and are aesthetically preferred over saline by most patients (essentially all). They also last longer and rarely are associated with... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Saline vs Silicone Implants

It is so wonderful that we have a choice in implants! While many patients have a good result with either implant, there are definitely situations in which I prefer a gel implant. Certainly a patient having a lift and implant is one of them. The gels are lighter, have a more natural feel, and last much longer. They are more expensive, but I think well worth the additional costs.

Ann F. Reilley, MD
Baton Rouge Plastic Surgeon

Silicone vs. Saline

As you have been told,a specific recommendation is hard without and exam or at least photos. However, there are some basic differences between the two implants: silicone breast implants are softer and feel more like breasts than saline. Silicone implants also seem to give a more natural shape when you are relying on the implant to enhance your shape as well as your size. Saline implants are less expensive. If your breasts are unequal in size, the volume of saline can be adjusted during... more

Joseph Fata, M.D.
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.breastsurgeryindianapolis.com

Definitely silicone!

Why did they start using saline in the first place? Because silicone was banned, untill a lot of research proved them save. With all the different shapes and forms we can adjust the implant to your breast form and body type. But Hey, you are in the USA, and i am in Europe and never needed to stop using them, while my US -colleagues had to deal with the moratorium and had no choice but to use saline...... As mentioned by my colleagues whether you need a lift or not depends on your... more

Ivar van Heijningen, MD
Belgium Plastic Surgeon

You are concerned with implants vs. lift, silicone vs. saline

You have a very common dilemma. It is impossible to give you advice without an examination but I can give you some basic facts. If you need a lift, you should get a lift. Implants can only give the appearance of raising the nipples when there is very mild ptosis (droop). Otherwise, a formal mastopexy should be performed. If you do have a mastopexy, the implant should be placed in the subpectoral or dual plane to preserve the perforators (blood supply) that comes from the muscle. In regards... more

Jacob Freiman, MD
Miami Beach Plastic Surgeon

Implants and choice

Surgeons have different ways of doing things, just like chefs who make chicken soup. It may be all come out as chicken soup but they may all have different tastes to them.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift and breast implants

10 different surgeons will give you 10 different answers and some answers though different will give you similar results. That is why we went into plastic surgery - it is not a one size fits all cookie cutter approach. Without photos or a face to face examination it is impossible to give you any recommendations worth anything based solely on the limited information in your post. My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor... more

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

I've Had 2 Breast Aug Consultations &I'm More Confused Than Ever, Silicone or Saline?Answer:

For my patients that do figure I find they are much happier with Silicone, as they usually get pretty lean when they are competing. But remember, implants can be a big challenge in figure. You are going to have some animation of the implant under the muscle and above the muscle you may have some ripples, even with silicone...

John J. Corey, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Saline or Silicone Breast Implants?

Thank you for the question. It is much easier to get good advice with direct examination or after viewing pictures. Generally, for patients with your body type description I prefer the use of silicone gel implants (to avoid significant rippling/palpability of implants as much as possible). Breast lifting may be necessary depending on your physical examination. Although I realize it may be challenging receiving different pieces of advice from different surgeons, you... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Silicone, saline and or lift

As with the other plastic surgeons, pictures would be very helpful. But even with that you will probably get a number of differing opinions and what matters is sitting down with your surgeon and really dissecting what you want and what is achievable and how. There will always be downsides to any procedure so it often becomes the procedure that has the least downsides for the patient. Silicone implants look and fell more natural than saline implants but that... more

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Please send your pictures

You expectations are the most important factor in making decision about the surgery and implants. Your breast shape,nipple position and amount of the breast tissue are the other important factors. Our job is to listen and give the best option based on your expectations and physical examination. please send pictures.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Gel vs saline

A photo would definitely help in seeing better whether you need a lift or not. Most patients decide on opting for gel vs saline because of feel, scars, maintenance issues and budget. Make a list of all the pros and cons for both options and then decide what the budget can carry

Edward J. Bednar, MD
Charlotte Plastic Surgeon

Silicone or saline, not always clear

The issue between saline and silicone will stay with us, and the decision may come down to scars, and cost, yet also the hasle factor. What will you do when your implant has worn and leaks. Will you be OK with the MRI study, or the risk of capsules from undetected leaks, and the greater effort for implant replacement? Figure competitions and breast scars may not be compatable so the lift may be off the table. Take your time to decide and read as many comments as you can until you understand... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Breast surgery for sagging

Without seeing how severe the sagging is, it is hard to say what you need done. A lot of sagging needs a lift. If your breast is hanging more than about 3/4 of an inch below the fold and/or your nipple is below the fold then you probably need a lift. The decision about saline or silicone depends on several factors. There is more cost and maintenance with silicone gel implants, although they are somewhat less prone to ripples or dents. You can still develop ripples if the breast tissue is... more

Victor Au, MD
Chapel Hill Plastic Surgeon

Saline Or Silicone ?

The choice between saline and silicone implants sometimes becomes an economical issue since silicone implants cost roughly twice the amount of saline. A photo would be necessary to discuss your need for a breast lift, but silicone implants placed below your chest muscle will give you the best chance of avoiding rippling.