Is saline actually safer than silicone implants?

Question

Always wanted silicone but not sure if it is considered a lot less safe than saline. Please let me know!!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

There are a variety of pros and cons to both types of implants. However, it is generally true that silicone gel implants will give superior results in terms of the natural feel and movement of the breast and are certainly also more durable with less need for revision for rippling or ruptures.  In my opinion, the only advantages of saline are lower cost and some on table adjustability for size.  Most women will get a better result with silicone, and I give this advice to my patients.

Michael Chiaramonte, MD · Answer

Both saline and silicone breast implants are approved by the FDA and are considered to be extremely safe. From a safety perspective, you should be fine with whichever option will deliver your desired outcome. In general, silicone breast implants are the more popular option because they deliver more natural looking and feeling results. 
  
The other main difference involves what happens to the implant in the event that it ruptures. The sterile saline solution used in saline implants will be safely absorbed by your body, and your breast will look smaller. This should alert you to the fact that a rupture has occurred. When a silicone implant ruptures, the cohesive gel material maintains its shape, allowing your breast to retain its augmented appearance. As a result, you will not be aware a rupture has occurred. You should undergo periodic MRIs with silicone breast implants to detect for the presence of a rupture.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Both implants are considered “safe”. The primary difference is that in the rare event of rupture, you’ll be able to notice deflation much faster with a saline implant than with silicone so that you can resolve the issue sooner.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!
Thank you for your question and provided information as well..
Both implants are safe but personally I prefer silicone implants. It all depends on what the patient wants and need.
Hope this helps and best of lucks.
Dr. Luis Mejia.

Michelle Zweifler, MD · Answer

Both saline and silicone breast implants are FDA approved in the US.  Additionally, the outer shell of both saline and silicone breast implants are a solid silicone shell.  Neither implant lasts forever and may rupture. Saline is filled with IV fluid; if a saline implant ruptures it deflates and the IV fluid is absorbed while the breast looks smaller.  Silicone implants may have "silient rupture" meaning that the patient is unaware of the implant rupture; screening with sonogram and MRI helps to detect this.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

Saline vs Silicone Breast Implants
There’s an opinion asserted by breast implant manufacturers and by many plastic surgeons that silicone gel breast implants are better than saline breast implants.
In my opinion, “It ain’t necessarily so.”
I’ve performed more than 6,600 breast augmentation surgeries, many of them with saline implants. My patients who chose saline have reported a high degree of satisfaction; it’s been rare for a woman to request that I change her saline implants to silicone.

Silicone gel implants may be stealing the spotlight, but saline breast implants still have much to offer. Here are seven reasons why:
A Natural Feel and Appearance

When you hold a saline implant in one hand and a silicone gel implant in the other, the silicone gel implant feels softer, but that’s not where breast implants will be! When I place breast implants behind the muscle, saline and silicone implants feel similar in most women. The exception is in very slender women who have very thin skin, less breast tissue, and little or no muscle coverage around the side and underneath their breasts – the areas where the implant could most likely be felt.
Availability

Silicone gel implants are recommended by the FDA and the manufacturers for women 22 and older. Saline implants are available to women ages 18 and up. Although the majority of my patients fall in the latter range, young women who have not developed often tell me that they feel self-conscious when they are on the beach and that they can’t find clothing or swimsuits that fit. They don’t want to wait several years for surgery.
Incision Size
A saline implant, which comes empty, can be folded and placed through a smaller incision. It’s filled after placement. A silicone gel implant comes prefilled and therefore requires a larger incision.
Implant Size

There is a limit to how large an implant can fit behind the chest muscle, and it’s dependent on the width of each breast. A saline implant acts as a tissue expander, which means a woman can sometimes get a slightly larger size than she could with a silicone gel implant.Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee

Ran Y. Stark, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.

There has been a lot of history when one looks back at the use of silicone implants. I will speed up to present time. Silicone implant are by far the most studied medical device in the world. Today's implants are fifth generation. IF an implant is cut in half the gel will not go anywhere, its like a gummy bear. In the past if the implant ruptured in can leak and look like slime, not the case today. in most cases if an implant ruptures you may feel a difference, but the standard to discover this is using an ultrasound or getting an MRI. 
If a saline ruptures, the fluid will just get absorbed. 
In my opinion silicone implants give an overall better result. They feel and act more like an normal breast when comparing it to saline. Saline implants seem a little heavier and may ripple a little more. There is an an implant called Ideal implant, this is a saline implant that resembles a silicone implant. 
I think in today's word both implants are safe. 
As always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Emily,Based on an overwhelming amount of clinical evidence, breast implants are considered safe, and have been around for over 5 years, with constant improvements. Today's implants are the safest that have ever been on the market. Virtually all breast implants are essentially a sealed "bag" made of silicone (silicon dioxide). The inner fill can be either saline (custom filled by your surgeon at the time of surgery), or pre-filled and sealed with silicone gel. Most patients and plastic surgeons alike feel that the silicone gel filled implants more closely resemble the feel of a woman's breast. The saline filled implants can feel a bit firmer when held in your hand, but once behind the breast, they can also feel quite natural if not overfilled, which tends to make them firmer. There may be a small subset of women in whom silicone gel may act as an immunologic trigger for the development of various autoimmune type signs and symptoms. We have little information on this but if this condition exists, it is indeed very rare. Your research may lead you to read about "Breast Implant Associated Illness" or "BIAI", and as mentioned,  there remains much controversy as to whether or not this condition or clinical entity actually occurs. But if there is any doubt or concern in your mind, this issue has rarely been discussed or associated with saline filled implants. The most recent innovative iteration of the saline filled implant is known as the IDEAL implant, which was developed by a plastic surgeon and with which we have had many happy patients and beautiful results.Hope that helps. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who can review all of your options with you. Best of luck to you.

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD · Answer

To answer your question one need to look at a brief history of implants. Silicone implants were introduced I 1962 and were very popular till they were banned for cosmetic use by FDA in 1992. This ban was caused by serious health concerns resulting in many law suits. 14 years later the FDA removed the ban and the silicone implants became widely available for both cosmetic and reconstructive use. Through my 35 year practice in plastic surgery I have used silicone implant exclusively prior to 1992  for breast augmentation,  then I was forced to use saline for 14 years and now that the ban is lifted I use both. I have obtained beautiful long term results  with saline implants. There are some advantages to silicone implant when the tissues are less than ideal for augmentation and when there is no capsular contraction. The main safety concern with silicone implants is the fact that an implant rupture is not discovered by examination. An MRI is recommended to discover these silent ruptures. Because of these concerns I must say that saline implants are safer.   If the tissues are thin however I feel that you would do better with silicone. An examination will answer this question. There is also a third choice and that is the Ideal Implant which is a structured saline implant. I have used this implant successfully in cases that I though would need a silicone implant.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  Both styles of implants are safe and please remember that the shell of both implants (that part in touch with your body’s natural tissues) is made of silicone.  Hope this helps.

Is saline actually safer than silicone implants?

Answers (20)

More Breast Implants Questions

Is 445cc the right size? Not too small? (Photo)

Should I have my implants placed over the muscle so I can continue with frequent push ups and pull ups?

Will my shirt or bikini top size change after a breast augmentation?

As an advanced contortionist, would I be able to have larger breast implants? (Photo)

Will 485cc silicone implants look too big if I am 5'2", 121 lbs, and have an athletic build? Please help! (Photos)

Size recommendations? I'm 5'10", 170 lbs, 36C today after breastfeeding 2 kids for years and weight loss/gain/loss. (photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS