Breast Implants: Q&A

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Should I Switch from Silicone to Saline? (photo)

I currently have 700cc HP silicone unders. I had them done a little over a month ago and still contemplate whether they are big enough. I see a lot about saline to silicone but not much for vice versa. I don 't think my current PS 't does extra large implants ( I was looking into 1000cc saline) so I am not sure what he would think. I would consider using a different PS who did larger implants if I could figure out logistics. I assume I would need to find a PS who specializes in large implants.

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by Damsel in Denver, CO

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Silicone gel to saline implants

I always tell my patients that silicone gel implants are the Cadillac of implants and saline implants are the Honda of implants. They will both get you to your destination but it's a matter of style. By that analogy I mean that silicone gel implants more closely approximate the look and feel of real breast tissue. Saline implants are basically a bag full of water and they have the potential to look/feel like a bag full of water. Both will add volume but I think the... more

Risks of Over-Augmentation

Everything we do in plastic surgery involves trade-offs. It is critical that you are well informed and understand the pro's and con's of any procedure, before you decide to proceed. You inquired about possibly switching from silicone to saline, but did not give a reason for your considering this option. More importantly, you are contemplating increasing the size of your implants: there are significant potential risks to having implants that are too large for your... more

Large Implants and Soft Tissue Limitations

Your implants are large; the soft tissue over them becomes thinner over time. The larger the implant, the less cover the soft tissue can acheive. One solution is to go with larger implants,......but cover the implants with your own body fat. This is a new technique called COMPOSITE BREAST AUGMENTATION I developed and involves taking liposuctioned fat from unwanted body areas. Saline implants will not help, and make the tissues thinner likely... more

No Need to Increase Implant Size

Your implants are very shapely and appear to fit your frame. The implants are already large (700 ml). You currently run the risk of stretching the skin over time with the implant size you currently have. I would not recommend ANY larger implants whether they are silicone or saline. Dr. ES

Silicone versus saline

The silicone will have a more natural feel than saline, particularly at this size. Going larger will expose you to greater risks of complications. You may think that you aren't large enough but gravity may have a profound effect over time and going larger will only exacerbate this.

Silicone vs saline 1000 cc implants

First, the US implant manufacturers do not make implants larger than 800 cc's, and the only way to get to 1000 is to overfill them which is not recommended and probably voids the warranty from the implant manufacturer. ( You would have to check on that one). But remember the larger you go, the more likely you may have problems with the implants.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Saline vs silicone

Normally silicone implants feel softer. Given the size of the device I don't believe the appearance or feel will be better.

Implant size

I would urge caution going larger with saline. I have placed several sets of implants larger than 1200cc, but all were silicone imported from Europe with permission from the FDA. With saline implants you will be at high risk to get visible rippling.You will get significant thinning of the skin. You can get the skin lifting off the sternum.

1000 cc saline implants

This upsize is technically possible and is done in a few women if they understand and accept the risks. Tissue thinning as others have mentioned, back, neck, and shoulder pain, increased rippling, increased risk for extrusion, and increased droop over time, among others.

Saline vs. Silicone, vs. larger?

To go larger or not, is your personal decision. I don't see a benefit to going from silicone to saline. I would urge you not to consider surgery so soon after your last operation. Finally I am not aware that there is a large breast implant specialist. With respect, I question your motives, and suggest you do some introspection. sek

1000cc implants

I would not recommend switching to saline implants even to go larger. You look very good now; and you would run the significant risk of increased rippling, a firmer, unnatural feel as well as the normal risks of surgery.

Extra Large Breast Augmentation

Hello, I can't tell you whether your 'favorite boobs' pic is a woman with saline or silicone. However, based on your current appearance, you would need around 1000 cc implant to achieve that result (roughly 40 to 50% increase in current volume), and could only be gotten using saline. As the others have said, it's a trade off between the size you want and unwanted potential problems that will, sooner or later, rear their ugly heads: tissue thinning causing unpredictable... more

Should I Switch from Silicone to Saline?

You have a nice cosmetic result, but if you are looking for larger implants, your only option is saline. Saline can be overfilled to 1000cc, the up side is larger breasts, but there are downsides to this, including firmer breasts and thinning out of the tissues. If you are seriously considering going larger, you should have a consult to learn all the pro's and con's of doing so, so that you can make an informed decision. Good luck with your decision!

Big implants can equal big problems

Personally, I would be reluctant to increase the size of your current implants. You have a good cosmetic result. Time will tell as far as how long your tissues hold up with that big implant. Consider sticking with your current implant and living with the nice cosmetic result that you currently have.