Can you go bigger with saline as opposed to silicone?

Dear madam,    I have been in plastic surgery practice for over 27 years and I have performed thousands of breasts augmentation surgery including many mothers and daughters. I prefer saline implants over silicone implants for the following reasons : 1. saline implants cost 1/3 of silicone implants. 2. Especially with large implants, saline implants can be inserted through small incision in the sub areola which is scar friendly where as silicone implants require long incision in the sub mammary crease which can be scar unfriendly. 3. The sub areola incision allows the surgeon to create very nice cleavage and precise submammary fold under direct vision and digital feel where as sub mammary incision is too far from the cleavage area and too close to the fold for easy dissection. 4. Statistically, saline implant are associated with less capsule contracture incidence. 5. In case of an implant leak or tear, saline implant replacements is a very simple procedure where as silicone implant is complex because of the need to remove the silicone gel. 6. It is a myth that silicone implants are not palpable or do not ripple in thin patients. It is rare, but I have seen those conditions in both types of implants. Always, Not all results are the same so do your due diligence. Consult only with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, check the before and after pictures in the photo gallery to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive. Pay special attention to the symmetry, cleavage area and natural look.                   Best of luck,                                 Dr Widder

You can achieve large breast size with either silicone or saline implants. Saline implants give you the option of adjusting the size at the time of surgery. 

It is possible to achieve a given size with both types of implants.  There are numerous factors that determine the size of an implant.  A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon can help you understand what your options are.  Best wishes.  

Thank you for your post.  The question is not whether saline or silicone can make you as large as you want to be.  The question should be, "what are your anatomic limitations?".  In other words, your tissues will only stretch so far in one surgery.  If you go under the muscle, you will reach a point where your muscle won't stretch any more and your implants will start to  be displaced laterally creating a wider cleavage gap.  If you go over the muscle and go too big, the skin will detach from your breast bone and you will get synmastia (also called "uniboob").  Also, the larger you go, the greater the chance of unwanted complications such as stretch marks, loss of nipple sensation, future sagging of the breasts, visible rippling, back and neck pain, etc.  Be sure you understand all the implications (short and long term) before you pick a final size.  If you need more information, feel free to contact me.

Much will depend on exactly what you are trying to achieve. My best suggestion: select your plastic surgeon carefully. Make sure that he/she can demonstrate significant experience achieving the types of outcomes you will be pleased with. Then, it will be important for you to communicate your goals carefully as well. In my practice, I asked patients to use as many “visual aids” as possible during this communication process. I hope this, and the attached link (dedicated to “larger” breast augmentation surgery) helps. Best wishes.