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Will I Get Same Look with Silicone As Saline?

asked 8 months ago by It's been long Enough
Latest answer by Michael Suzman, MD
Question viewed 368 times
Tags: saline implants, silicone implant, comparison

Can the same "look" that I am hoping for be achieved in either saline OR silicone? I am wondering because I read of some people who feel that saline looks very round and fake and silicone does not. IS that the case? or does it all depend om anatomy and implant style (moderate or HP) or size (cc)? My BOARD CERTIFIED PS.. with multipal hospital privelages.. has chosen for me 375- 425 cc mod plus mentor silicone gel. final decision will be made in O.R.

11 answers to Will I Get Same Look with Silicone As Saline?

Silicone Implants Give Better Results

Although many women get very nice results with saline implants, silicone implants are more likely to give a nice natural result. The density of the silicone is closer to that of breast tissue. You are also less likely to have noticeable rippling with silicone. I recommend silicone to all patients, but some continue to select saline based on either fear or cost (the cost for silicone is roughly twice that for saline).

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Silicone and saline look the same when surgery is done well . . . but then there's the "feel," ripples, and possible deflation!

My breast augmentation career started well before the silicone implant restrictions (1991-2006), so I have used silicone gel implants both before (older generation of silicone implants) and after (present generation of cohesive silicone gel implants) a long period of mostly saline implants for primary cosmetic augmentation. A well-performed augmentation will look great with either type of implant, though rippling can be visible and disfiguring, both below and above the muscle, with... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

For many years we were using saline implants exclusively for breast augmentation, and the results

Were beautiful and very natural looking. Although silicone implants are slightly softer and more natural feeling than saline implants, the look is very similar. In women who have a fair amount of their own breast tissue, and want an augmentation, saline can be a very good choice, especially when placed under the pectoralis muscle. In these women, the results are very similar and there is nothing wrong with spending half as much for the implants, as saline implants are... more

Michael H. Rosenberg, MD
White Plains Plastic Surgeon

Silicone breast Implants vs Saline breast implants

One very important issue to consider is implant palpability, i.e. whether you can feel the implant or not when you - or someone else - feels your breast. Both silicone gel and saline implants are soft and generally breast-like. Most surgeons and patients agree, however, that silicone gel breast implants tend to feel more natural than saline breast implants. Because saline is non-viscous, it tends to allow the edges of the implant to collapse and this makes the implant edges more easily... more

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Saline vs. Silicone

As a general rule I believe you get a better result with the silicone implant. They tend to be more " breast-like" since they're filled with a very dense gel versus saline which are basically filled with water. The silicone implants also tend to ripple less, and give a more pleasing shape. The difference between the two is more obvious in the thinner woman who has less breast tissue to cover the implant. In a heavier breast it is more... more

Robert M. Jensen, MD
Medford Plastic Surgeon

What is the difference in appearance between silicone and saline implants?

Silicone implants have a soft gel that blends in very well with breast tissue. They are much more natural in appearance in thin patients with small breasts. Saline implants are more round and firm than silicone. Both implants will look nice with women with some soft tissue coverage. The saline implants may have some wrinkling especially in the outer, lower part of the breast where the muscle doesn't cover the implant. I think that the size decision... more

Elizabeth S. Harris, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

www.eharrismd.com

Silicone in general is the "cadillac" implant

In general, silicone will look better (more real) in many women. in some women, the difference is much more evident than others. women with very little of their own breast tissue, as well as those who are quite thin (ribs show) should strongly consider silicone implants rather than saline. for women with good soft tissue coverage and at least a modest amount of their own breast tissue, this decision is less critical and they will get a nice improvement with either choice. more

Bruce K. Barach, MD
Schenectady Plastic Surgeon

drbarach.com

Saline or silicone?

Thank you for the question. Unfortunately, it is a tough question to answer briefly. 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... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Comparing look of silicone gel versus saline breast implants for augmentation

* I find that a well selected implant placed behind the good skin and muscle coverage can look fantastic, regardless of the implant type. * When large implants are used-- ones that are wider than the natural diameter of the breast, there is more potential for implant visibility. In theses cases gel implants have an advantage in both appearance and feel. * For most patients, however, an outstanding result can be achieved with either... more

Michael Suzman, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.westmedgroup.com

Will I Get Same Look with Silicone As Saline? Answer:

I think this is a needed discussion with every doctor and patient considering implants. You can achieve a very natural result with both but it really depends on the soft tissue covering a woman has and the size of implant she has chosen. For my patients 5’7” 105lb…. silicone. For others 5’4” 145lb. probably saline. And for those in between..depends on how big! Do you have breast tissue already? Can you see more than 1 rib on the side? Lean runner body? All... more

John J. Corey, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Saline or silicone should give similar results

I use both saline and silicone implants and most of the patients get very similar results with either one. Most of the time, one cannot tell the difference between saline and silicone once it has been put in. There is a slightly higher incidence of wrinkling or rippling with saline implants, but it can occur with either. If cost is not a factor, then I would recommend silicone implants. If you just want larger breasts that are natural looking and natural feeling,... more