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Silicone More Natural Looking Than Saline. Fact or Myth?

asked 1 year ago by Conseza in Mableton, GA
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,931 times
Tags: saline implants, silicone implant, comparison, myth, natural

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!

26 answers to Silicone More Natural Looking Than Saline. Fact or Myth?

+4

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
Douglas L. Gervais, MD

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+3

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
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+2

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
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+2

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
Brian M. Braithwaite, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2

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
Kent V. Hasen, MD

Naples Plastic Surgeon
+2

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.
David E. Kim, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

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
Beverly Friedlander, MD

Short Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

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
Josh Korman, MD

Monterey Plastic Surgeon
+2

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
Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

+2

Silicone More Natural Looking Than Saline. Fact or Myth?

Wow hard to be specific and scientific to a very subjective question. In over 34 years of doing breast implants, my personal opinion is silicones to me feel more natural. One interesting factoid is the less than 35 year olds want the firmer, tighter look & feel. While the more mature woman desires a more soft, natural feel. But lets not forget about the fee difference of over a $1,000 swing. If the fees were the same I am sure most implants (over 85%) would be silicone. As for your own... more
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+2

Silicone gel breast implant myths

There are many ideas as to which are better, saline or silicone gel breast implants, and the answer is always it depends. One myth is that silicone gel will look more natural than a saline implant. The true answer is that a moderate profile saline cannot be distinguished from a moderate profile silicone gel on before and after photos. The look is the same. Ripple? with good cover, the saline will perform well with ripple that is more felt than seen. Any yes, a ripple or fold can appear in a... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

+2

Silicone is more natural

Implants by nature are not natural, however, for a given size, the silicone implant has a more natural look and feel and less chance of ripples. You have breast asymmetry but you are not tubular.  Your surgeon will be able to help some of the asymmetry.  Made sure you discuss these issues at you consultation. Best Wishes Dr. Peterson
Marcus L. Peterson, MD

Saint George Plastic Surgeon
+2

Silicone More Natural Looking Than Saline. Fact or Myth?

As long as you do not develop a capsular contracture, silicone gel tends to feel and look more natural, like your breast tissue, and there is definately less risk of rippling with silicone gel.  Placement of the implant is another issue.  In most patients, I prefer below the muscle for many reasons: better mammograms, more support to the weight of the implant, more tissue coverage.  When the implant is in front of the muscle, nothing is supporting it and the weight ot the... more
Amy T. Bandy, DO

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+2

Silicone vs Saline Implants

It is a fact rather than a myth that silicone implants give a more natural look and have a lower incidence of rippling than saline.  This does not mean that you cannot obtain a good result with saline, but you increase your chances of a good result if you are willing to pay the extra cost for silicone.  I would also recommend placement of your implants below the muscle; this is especially important if you choose saline.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

The look of saline-filled vs. silicone-filled breast implants

Perhaps I can summarize the answers and answer your questions.  It's a myth that silicone gel-filled breast implants look better or more natural than saline-filled breast implants as long as the saline-filled implants are sized properly, positioned properly (under the pectoralis muscle), and filled properly.  Regardless of the sizing/positioning/and filling, a saline-filled breast implant will not feel as natural as silicone gel-filled if you can feel it. Saline-filled... more
Scott L. Replogle, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

Naturalness of Silicone vs Saline Implants

When the surgery is done correctly, there is no difference in the appearance. The difference is in the feel of the two. Silicone just feels more life natural breast tissue.
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone breast implants best for tubular deformity.

Hi. You have a mild tubular deformity on the left side. I would recommend round, smooth walled, moderate plus profile, silicone implants placed over the muscle. In general, silicone implants look and feel more natural, and have a much lower risk lof rippling.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone / Saline Breast Augmentation and Tubular Breast Deformity

In my opinion, silicone implants feel more natural than saline. In extremely thin patients with subglandular (above the muscle) placement, saline implants are more likely to show rippling than silicone; otherwise, they look the same. My patients tend to favor silicone over saline implants, which has been the trend for both my cosmetic and reconstructive patients. Whatever the case, your surgeon's responsibility is to give you all of the pertinent pros/cons to help you make an informed... more
Derek Lou, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Saline vs silicone implants

In my opinion, both saline and silicone are best placed below the muscle.  Salines above the muscle in a slender person look and feel terrible.   However, below the muscle, the "look" can be equally good with both but the "feel" genrally always goes toward the silicone gels.  Hope this simplifies this for you.   By the way, you have a tough starting point with significant asymmetry of the breasts and the inframammary creases so a home run for... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone v. saline implants

The difference in silicone v. saline is more about the feel than the look although if the implants are too wide relative  to your breasts or you have little soft tissue coverage there can be more visible rippling with saline. I do not think you have what we would characterize as tubular deformity. Your incision decision should be a result of a frank discussion between you and your surgeong the regarding the pros and cons of each. Robin T.W. Yuan, M.D.
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Saline vs. Silicone

It is difficult to figure out whether silicone implants look more natural that saline implants.  You can see that by the variety of opinions stated here.  I think that most plastic surgeons agree that silicone feels more natural.  Go for a consultation and check out the implants yourself and see what you think.
Sanjiv Kayastha, MD

Albany Plastic Surgeon

www.kplasticsurgery.com

+1

Silicone vs Saline

I have been doing this surgery for over 30 years and am now back to Silicone, which I feel are more natural looking and feeling. Also, your breasts are not tubular, and I would reccomend a circumareolar incision with the implants over the muscle. Implants are fillers --- your breasts are over the muscle, so why put implants under the muscle. With saline, it did decrease the rippling, but with silicone, over is better.
William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

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
Navin K. Singh, MD

Washington DC Plastic Surgeon

www.WashingtonianPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Implants alone may not be the answer

In thin women, silicone gel implants are preferable - probably behind the pectoral muscle. Youo need a longer incision to insert a gel implant so most are done with the inframammary incision. Breast implants are just filler and do not control the shape of the breast. For a shape problem such as tubular breasts, you  may also  need a mastopexy.
Robert E. Zaworski, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Saline and Silicone do not look different for most patients

Many patients ask the same question - which implant will look the most natural. "Natural" is a very subjective term and for most implies a breast that is proportional in size and does not bulge in the upper breast. Any implant that is too large or over-projecting will not look "natural". Round saline and round cohesive silicone gel filled implants of similar size and profile will not look different after surgery. It is a myth to think that anyone can consistently look at before and after... more
Mathew C. Mosher, MD

Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

www.drmosher.com

+1

Saline vs. Silocone

 Dear A. The answer to what looks more natural depends on the patient. The greater the volume and density of your own breast the less one would see a difference between saline and silicone. The same holds true for the way they feel. Someone with very thin skin and tissue over the implant is more likely to see wrinkling and feel like a saline implant is less natural. Your  left breast has a very small component of being tubular. I would not expect you would need any special... more
Leslie H. Stevens, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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