Saline implants feel like a hard water balloon. Will I like Silicone better or am I just too picky?

Although most surgeons these days recommend silicone gel implants,in my experience with moderate size implants (330 cc I would characterize as moderate size) with adequate breast tissue coverage will have soft natural feeling implants with saline over time, that are only subtly different than silicone for most patients.  However, the implant takes many months to fully soften as the silicone rubber shell stretches slightly. It is essential that they be placed in the submuscular position as yours were, but I also find that placing them in the subfascial plane laterally is beneficial in improving the way they feel. They do offer advantages: easier replacement, easier detection of leakage, and lower incidence of capsular contracture over time.  You have to make a decision on your own, but I strongly feel that the decision is not an automatic one...there are real advantages to saline, as well as their disadvantages.

The feel of silicone implants depends on how they are filled and whether or not the capsule around them has tightened.  Changing to silicone implants does not automatically give you softer breasts unless you determine what the problem is.  A physical examination by a plastic surgeon can help figure out what's the real underlying problem and how to fix it

Thank you for sharing. Silicone implants tend to have a much softer and preferred feel to most people. This may be what you are interested in. See your plastic surgeon to discuss. Implant exchange is commonly done for this issue. Good luck

   Dear rockerbabe, A vast majority of my patients choose silicone implants because they feel softer and more natural. I would agree with them. We also see many patients who have saline implants and now want to switch to silicone. This is a straight forward, easy procedure and in most cases can be done with local anesthetic. See an experienced board certified breast plastic surgeon to discuss your choices and options. Good luck. Dr. Gervais.

Your complaints about saline are some of the most common complaints we here about saline. A switch to silicone should improve all these complaints. Have your surgeon check on the firmness issue to see if you nee more than a implant exchange.

Silicone gel implants overall do have a more natural steel. Generally, they do feel more natural as a breast augmentation. I would revisit with your plastic surgeon and sit down and have a long conversation about the pros and cons switching out your implants to make sure that you will be satisfied.

Silicone implants will likely feel softer and more natural than saline.  Usually, rippling and softness are better with a silicone implant when compared to saline implants.  It's difficult to judge whether it is worth it to change.  It might be best to wait to see if you have a deflation.  If you are young, it is likely this will happen at some point in your lifetime.  At this point, you could switch the implants for silicone.

I agree with my colleagues but consider this--Saline implants are self monitoring.  You will know when they are leaking and need to be changed.  Silicone implants come with the obligation of an MRI at year 3 and every two years thereafter.  Silicone implants depending upon the generation of silicone will need to be changed as early as a decade. Just something to think about before you make the switch.

but if your breasts look great and still feel good, If counsel my patients to avoid rushing into more surgery to get silicone implants.  In addition to the considerable costs of having more surgery, you have to accept ALL of the risks again as you are starting all over again, though pain would be less. In addition, you can use your saline augmented breasts as a character test for whomever is fortunate enough to know how your breasts feel.  If whomever it is, isn't just simply delighted to be there, that person doesn't deserve any more of your time or emotions and that person is simply to critical and will continue to be so and the relationship is no longer a healthy one.

Thank you for your question.  Usually saline breast implants placed under the muscle should feel soft and natural.  There is a distinct difference because saline implants are essentially a bag of water.  Generally speaking most patients and plastic surgeons feel that silicone gel implants do have a more natural feel.However this is a very major decision and should not be taken lightly.  I suggest you reconsult your plastic surgeon and discuss your options in detail.