Received a Lot of Pressure from Dr.'s Assistant to Purchase Silicone, Was this Just for Upselling?

I haven't even gone in for my consultation yet, lets start there. I have two friends who are similar to my size and build who both got saline implants from this same doctor in '07 & '10. The Dr. went in around the nipple and they look fabulous! They both say they have the same sensitivity. The surgeon's assistant, who I spoke to, told me that 99% go silicone because of a better warranty...I had a LOT of pressure to choose the $1500 more expensive silicone than saline - is this about upselling?

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by ALS719 in Saint Louis, MO

Doctor Answers (8)
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Silicone implants have superior final appearance when compared to saline implants

Silicone implants have a more natural feel and not subjected to rippling as saline implants. In women who are a size A or B, rippling is often visible and I certainly recommend them in those cases. The only reason people choose saline implants is they cannot afford the additional cost of silicone implants in my practice. Best of Luck, Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Upselling silicone?

Implant selection is a very personal decision. The implant is in your body and you have to be comfortable with it. Time should be taken with you to discuss the pros and cons of each implant, as well as your anatomy and your goals for surgery before deciding on an implant. The warranty difference is only a very small part of that. I would recommend meeting with a few Board Certified Plastic Surgeons and contemplating the information given to you before making a final... more

Mennen T. Gallas, MD

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Houston Plastic Surgeon

Saline or silicone

Silicone implants do cost the surgeon more money, about 800 to 1000 dollars more a pair. They do not have a better warranty, so that is a non issue. You can get excellent results with either saline or silicone, but some doctors have a personal preference for one versus the other. I prefer saline in most women because they tend to be more trouble free in the long term. Get consultations with a few different surgeons until you find a doctor and approach that you feel... more

Are silicone breast implants better than saline.

Is the office staff recommendation of silicone gel implants over saline even before my consultation about up selling? Maybe. You can upgrade your saline implant warranty for $100.00 to same level as gel warranty, in our experience.

Saline or Silicone Breast Implants?

Thank you for the question. I think it is somewhat unusual for a specific breast implant type to have been recommended to you before consultation. Most plastic surgeons will make recommendations after examination and discussion of your goals. The type of implant used may determine the final outcome, especially if the patient does not have significant covering breast or adipose tissue. For example, some surgeons feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel... more

Silicone vs saline

This is a commonly asked question, in my practice I generally do recommend silicone over saline and no, it is not about upselling. Silicone, third generation silicone is in my opinion a better product. It weighs less, ruptures less, feels better, looks better, patients integrate it as their own much more quickly and patients in my practice who have had both hands down say silicone is their preference. The warranty is better on silicone because it has less problems. Another bonus of silicone... more

Upselling to silicone for breast augmentation

Your instincts might be right in that the office is attempting to upsell you into something that you may not want. In our experience the warranty is the same, saline or gel. Still, warranty is at the bottom of the list when choosing the best implant for you. Looks like a red flag. Best of luck, Peter Johnson, MD

Silicone over saline

It may just be recent experience with patient satisfaction or preference for silicone that is driving that discussion. I will say that over 90% of the implants that I use now are silicone. During the consultation, I discuss the pros and cons of the implants with the patient. Thin patients with very little of their own breast tissue are often served best by silicone due to a maore natural appearance and feel. But, they are more expensive. I am finding that... more