How does saline implants feel like? Can we tell the doctor that we want the outcome to be squishy/bouncy?

I believe that silicone implants (round smooth) feel and look a lot more natural than an overfilled saline implant. Simply put one is more like a breast and the other is like a balloon overfilled with salt water. 

More than any other factor, the final texture and consistency of your breasts after augmentation depends on the volume percentage in your resulting breasts that are implant vs. your own tissue.  Because the amount of your own tissue will not change, the larger your implants, the more they will look, feel, and behave like implants vs. natural breasts.  That being said, over-inflated saline implants are more firm, and project more.  If you want soft, the surgeon should not inflate beyond factory recommended volume.  Implant placement deep to muscle also offers more natural texture and appearance.  IDEAL brand saline implants may be slightly more viscous than Mentor or Allergan, the two market leaders in saline implants.  Capsular contracture hardens implants whether saline or gel, so should be avoided.In general, with proper planning and skilled execution, you can have a spectacular result and soft breasts with saline or with silicone gel.

Saline implants are firmer and do produce more of "water balloon" feel if your breasts are small. In patients with bigger breasts, you do not feel them as much. In my practice, I offer both saline and silicone, but once a patient feels the difference in the two then they chose silicone 99% of the time. I suggest you see a few consults and ask to feel the implants yourself. I firmly believe silicone results are superior to saline breast implants. 

Thank you for reaching out! It will really come down to your personal choice, a lot of it will depend on if you go above or below the muscle and a few other factors that can be best assessed at an in person consultation. At your consultations you will be able to feel a few different type of implants and can then decide which option is best for you to get the result you want. We offer free consultations in both our Mission Viejo and Newport Beach offices if it is convenient for you. Best of luck! Dr. Kachenmeister

so they can appreciate the vast differences in characteristics.  Saline implants do work fine if there is adequate tissue coverage to conceal the implant well. Both implants will bounce but gel implants are more squishy.

Silicone implants below the muscle in a patient with moderate native breast results in the most natural feeling breasts. Saline implants are usually more firm. 



DrBurnett#realself100

Good questions.  





Generally speaking much of the final look and feel 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” and feel 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 of the breast implant pockets are critical in producing long-term well-placed breast implants. I personally think that these 2 factors are more important than any others, including type (saline or silicone) or model (low/moderate/high profile) of implant.











3. 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 than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue. In other words, if a patient has very low body fat and/or very little breast tissue, the silicone gel implants may provide a more "natural" result.







   4. The size and model of breast implant used may make a significant difference in the final outcome. Therefore, it is very important to communicate your size goals with your surgeon. In my practice, the use of photographs of “goal” pictures (and breasts that are too big or too small) is very helpful. I have found that the use of words such as “natural” or “C or D cup” etc







   To summarize: select your plastic surgeon carefully. Communicate your goals carefully as well.  Chances are you will be very pleased with the outcome of breast augmentation surgery. 







I hope this, and the attached link (dedicated to breast augmentation concerns), helps. Best wishes. 

You would be a great candidate using the, Ideal Implant, which is a saline implant but it is built in a unique way to offer a more squishy, more silicone like, feel.

Thank you for the question and gel implants generally look and feel more natural particularly in those with little natural beast coverage.  If overfilled, saline implants are firmer but over time soften and then may ripple.  In most patients gel implants are a better choiceDr Corbin

As you mentioned, saline implants feel like a bag filled with water. They are usually much less natural feeling than silicone.