Breast Implants: Q&A

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Silicone More Natural Looking Than Saline. Fact or Myth?

Hi, I've got several questions. I want to know if silicone implants do in fact appear more natural (less rippling on the breast) than saline after surgery or is this a myth? Also I am considering breast augmentation but do NOT want it done via periareolar incision since i love them and want to know if it's preferable for me to get it done over the pectoral muscle or partially under since i think i may have tubular deformity. Thanks!

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26 Doctor Answers | Asked by Conseza in Mableton, GA

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Saline vs. Silicone

In the appropriate patient, silicone and saline implants both look the same. In a thin person, if the implant is placed on top of the muscle, silicone does look better because it has a higher viscosity (is more gelatinous) and can have lower rippling. In the patient with enough padding and enough breast tissue, especially if implants are placed under the muscle, saline and silicone implants both look and feel the same. more

Saline vs Silicone Implants

I agree with most of my colleagues that you do not have a tubular deformity. If you did, going above or below the muscle is not typically how you would treat this problem. I believe that silicone implants feel better than saline implants in most instances. They also have a lower rippling rate than saline as well. As a rule, many of us prefer under the muscle as well. However, well placed saline implants under the muscle can look and feel as good as silicone in many patients. We all... more

Silicone feels more soft and natural; saline may ripple!

First of all, you do not have a tuberous breast deformity of either breast, but do have a bit of volume asymmetry seen in lots of women! You have attractive breasts ideal for augmentation; I would recommend (slightly different-sized to even things out) implants placed via inframammary incisions into the submuscular plane. But which kind of implants? Properly-filled saline breast implants can yield very nice results with both excellent appearance and a soft, natural feel. This is most... more

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Saline or silicone?

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 important in determining the final outcome. For example, the accurate and gentle dissection... more

Saline vs Silicone

In thin patients like yourself, I place all implants in the submuscular plane. Silicone breast implants definitely feel softer than breast implants. Regarding appearance, both implants look similar but saline implants have been known to continue dropping over time, often dropping too much, whereas silicone implants seem to behave better over time. Issues such as rippling and edge palpability are much more common with saline implants. I also prefer the breast... more

More natural appearing breast implants

Saline and silicone breast implants in the same volume and same projection will appear very similar. The silicone gel filled breast implant has the more natural feel, but not necessarily the more natural look. I do think you have a mild tuberous breast deformity of the left breast with asymmetry in size of the two breasts. I have found that tuberous breasts tend to respond better to subfascial (above the muscle) breast augmentation with radial scoring of the lower... more

Breast Augmentation silicone

The type of profile of the implant will determine how natural a breast will look. High profile implants will tend to give a more " fake " type of look and a lower profile implant a more natural look.

Silicone or saline? Which is more natural? Fact or Myth?

Both silicone and saline implants result in natural appearing breasts. The silicone have a slightly more "mature look" to them in that they typically have a little less projection than the saline for a given size and profile. This difference is extremely subtle, and hard for even a plastic surgeon to distinguish in some patients. The main difference is in feel. The silicone implants are softer, and frequently it is difficult to distinguish them from the... more

The Look of saline and silicone implants

Saline and Silicone generally look the same, but silicone feels more like a breast than saline does. However, If you read the various answers regarding above or below the muscle by many talented and experienced plastic surgeons, the most striking thing is how varied the opinions are. This is because often there is no one solution and because there is no perfect solution. Often patients will get confused when they hear different opinions from different physicians... more

The Look of Silicone And Saline Breast Implants Is Usually Similar

The natural appearance of silcone vs saline breast implants is largely a myth. But as in all myths there is usually a kernel of fact in them as that is equally true of this breast implant issue. With good breast tissue and a submuscular position, both types of breast implants will have a similar appearance and one could not tell the difference. However, differences in their appearance could be seen in very thin patients with little breast tissue particularly if they are placed above the... more

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.