Breast Implants: Q&A

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Can You Feel the Edges of a Saline Breast Implant?

I am 33, 5'1,115 lbs., and I am about to get a breast lift and augmentation. I went in with research knowing I want to use silicone implants because they look and feel more natural. The dr. wants to use saline implants because she would be able to even out my asymmetrical breasts. I'm going to go from B to a full C.

My concern is the rippling. Would someone be able to feel the edges of the saline implant? Would a saline implant always feel cool because it doesn't warm up to your body temperture?

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16 Doctor Answers | Asked by Tx.momof4 in Tx.

Doctor Answers (16)
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Silicone implants under the muscle will minimize implant detection

Thanks for your question. The average American stands 5’ 4” and weighs 140 lbs. From your dimensions, you are petite! Obviously, your tissue ‘padding’ is thin; thus you are more likely to see and feel the edges of the breast implant. Efforts to minimize this are using silicone implants placed under the muscle in the sub-pectoral plane. Additionally, I have observed less rippling using silicone implants, especially with a moderate plus type profile. Your concerns... more

Saline Rippling a real problem

Hi there- I think it is very important to understand the relative risk involved here. You should make an honest assessment of how severe your asymmetry is, and how much it bothers you, and how much you would like this corrected. Most importantly, you need to understand whether improving (and I say improving because it is unlikely you will end up perfectly symmetric) this asymmetry is worth compromising the feel of your breast and risking visible rippling, which happen quite often in thin... more

It would be harder to feel the edges of silicone implants

With saline implants, after the swelling goes down, there is always a chance of feeling some rippling, but if everything heals well, it should be minimal. The silicone gel is much smoother, and if not feeling the edge of the implant is very important to you, then you should go with silicone. Good luck, Dr. Cuber

Both Saline and Silicone Gel can give you a nice result

Both Saline and Silicone gel breast implants can give you a nice, natural result if you have the breast tissue to go on top. If you are worried about "feeling" the implant and you don't have much body fat, then definitely go with silicone gel implants. It's difficult to say because of the asymmetry that you are asking about. Have an open discussion with your surgeon and make sure he can address your concerns.

Saline or silicone gel filled both work well

Tx.momof4: As a surgeon who has used both kinds, I share with patients the relative advantages and disadvantages of both types of implants. I notice many other surgeons on RealSelf recommend silicone gel filled, but I do not think the decision is so easily in favor of gel. You mention one specific concern (rippling). First let me mention being able to feel implants (palpability). You will be able to feel either type, gel or saline. Under very thin tissues, one can more easily feel a... more

Implant palpability more common with saline implants

I prefer to use either moderate-plus or high-profile silicone implants for a majority of my patients undergoing a breast lift. I feel these implants will help give a much nicer result and feel of the breasts compared with saline implants. I also prefer to put the implants partially under the muscle as opposed to entirely submuscular. I feel this helps provide a much more aesthetically pleasing result.

Use silicone implants.

They feel more natural. It's better to accept a little asymmetry (major asymmetry can be corrected with different sized silicone implants). Also make sure you don't use "moderate" profile silicone implants, because these are underfilled and can give you rippling also. I use Mentor round smooth walled moderate PLUS profile or high profile implants, depending on the width of the chest. I also recommend using disposable implant SIZERS DURING surgery to determine ideal size,... more

Quite likely to feel edges of saline implants

There are several issues here. The rippling isn't unique to saline implants, but it is much more common and more pronounced in them vs. silicone. Edge palpability is a separate issue. Again, saline tends to be more palpable, especially in women with little body fat, little breast tissue, thin skin, implants placed above the muscle, and textured surface, saline implants. Silicone may also be palpable, but much less likely. The breast asymmetry is a non-issue in this situation, as it can be... more

Depends on relative size of the implant

I suspect that most of your breast will be comprised of the implant and that the width of the implant will be at, or exceed, the width of your natural breast. In this situation, you will probably be able to feel, if not also see, the edges of the saline implant, particularly on the bottom and side.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

You will always feel the edges of saline implants

Hello txmomof4, I agree with the previous doctors that, in a thin patient, you will always feel the edge of a saline implant. Even when implants are placed "under the muscle" there are parts of the implant that are not covered by muscle. These areas are more readily palpated. The look is not affected, it is just the feel. Thousands of saline implant patients would confirm that they are thrilled, even if you can feel the edge. Beware of "correcting" asymmetry with saline... more

You can feel saline implant edges more compared to gel

You could feel the edge of a saline implant a little more compared to a gel implant. However, if you have enough breast tissue and your implant goes under the muscle, you should be fine. The combined thickness of the muscle and the breast tissue should hide most of your implant.

You will feel the edge of the implant

The best implant is the one that will meet your needs. Silicone gel feel better and they are less palpable. You are thin and there is the possibility of visible implant with saline implants. Saline implants will warm up to your body temperature.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

You can always find the edges of a saline implant

You can always find the edges of a saline implant especially if you lean forward and feel the lower outer corner of the breast. This is normal and common. Usually it doesn't take the enjoyment out of the result for a patient. If it would really bother you to be able to feel the implant, you should consider gel but then you are losing the adjustability of the saline for your asymmetry and there is a little bit higher incidence of capsular contracture with gels. All this is true under the... more

There is no question that silicone is better

There is no question that silicone is better. If you have not felt the difference in your doctor's office yet, you should. Ask them to let you touch the difference between the saline and the silicone implants and there will be no question in your mind about which on you would want to have in your body. Good luck with your surgery.

Saline breast implant rippling

Yes, it's true that saline does offer more adjustability in size. However, in the location of the lower and outer portion of the breast (where there is little muscle coverage) it is more likely that you will feel rippling of the saline implant in comparison to a comparable silicone implant. The rippling tends to be less noticealble over the upper and inner portions of the breast where the muscle coverage is considerably thicker. This tends to be worse when you are bent forwards. You can... more