How strong are saline implants?

I've read all 9 of my colleagues' answers (thus far), and find it unusual that not one wants to tell you an obvious fact. Saline implants are indeed durable, but irrespective of the leak/deflation rate quoted, saline implants CAN and DO leak! Cohesive silicone implants cannot leak since they are a solid cohesive silicone gel, much more so than earlier silicone gel implants that were filed with silicone oils or sticky silicone gels. These COULD and DID rupture and leak, but the latest generation of cohesive silicone gel implants (by any of the three USA manufacturers), are extremely durable, essentially "leak-proof," and take extreme forces to rupture or fracture the solid elastomer.So if you want the lowest cost overall, a zero - negligible chance for implant rupture, and the softest, most natural "feel," submuscular cohesive silicone gel implants placed by an experienced ABPS-certified plastic surgeon with lots of saline and silicone breast implant patients over many years will cost you about $600-800 more initially (higher cost of silicone vs. saline), but that is way less than the wages lost from an additional few days or week off work for even "free" implant replacement. (And who pays for the surgery after the first ten years if a saline implant leaks or deflates?)It's a clear choice and recommendation in my mind [SILICONE], and I've been using silicone gel implants since they were the old sticky, leak-prone kind before the FDA restrictions, thousands of saline implants between 1991 and 2006, and now 98-99% of my patients choosing the latest generation of cohesive silicone gel implants (or switching their saline implants for new silicone gel ones). Certainly, there is nothing wrong with saline implants, and they're extremely durable--but silicone cohesive gel implants CANNOT leak, take an extraordinary force to rupture or cleave the solid cohesive gel, and will likely last longer than you will. Salines--well, they CAN and DO leak. And that means an operation to replace the deflated implant(s).Bear in mind that implant rupture is not the most common reason for re-operation--most reports tell you that capsular contracture is the highest reason (again, at varying percentages; ours runs about 3% overall), but in my practice, requesting larger size is the most common reason that patients undergo re-operation for. So choose an experienced ABPS-certified plastic surgeon who does lots of breast surgery, and check out his/her photos. Click on the web reference link below for examples of my own augmentation patients. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Thank you for your question.  In short, yes, saline implants are very strong.  They rarely rupture.....but they can rupture.  This is one big drawback of these devices.  Another major drawback is the firm feel of the implant and the wrinkling that can occur at the edges.  If you are an active and thin person, silicone implants may be a better option.Best of luck.

As a surgeon I am often asked this question.  Patients are able to maintain the same level of activity they had before getting
their implants.  Once you  have completely healed, you are able
to resume the same lifestyle and enjoy activities such as amusement park rides,
roller coasters, etc. and even sky diving. Your implants, regardless of what
approach the surgeon takes, become of part of your body. Blunt trauma to the area may cause an implant to rupture but usually an implant rupture is a result of a defect in the actual implant.    

Saline implants are structurally sound devices that should resist rupture.  However, if there a saline implant develops a "leak" then the implant will usually go flat very rapidly and need to be replaced.  Some advantages of saline implants are cost, smaller incision, easier use for endoscopic transaxillary technique, and fill volume ranges for asymmetric cases.Some advantages of cohesive gel implants are more natural feel and less rippling in thinner patients.  

Saline implants are fairly durable. The outer shell is made of silicone.  Usual daily activities do not lead to rupture. Good luck.
Earl Stephenson, Jr, M.D., DDS, FACS

The shell of both saline and silicone is the same its basically a 6 layers really stong shell in 2014 but it just makes sense that the firmer silicone will be safer long term but dont worry saline's are pretty good hard to pop one with a punch or a kick!

Both saline and silicone gel are good implants.  Saline are durable and made to withstand daily activity.  Roller coasters and boxing should not cause deflation, it would take a harder impact for that to happen.  I've seen patients who have had their saline implants for 18 years or longer.  The implant warranty does help with cost and implant replacement should deflation occur just check with the manufacturer or your surgeon's office for more details.  Good luck! ac

Saline implants are not more prone to rupture in a submuscular pocket or a subglandular pocket.  They are very safe implants.

Saline implants are very strong and durable and no more likely to leak or rupture than a gel implant. All implants have a "usable life" or wear date and eventually need replacement. You should however be able to participate in any activity you could have without them, and forget them most of time (until you need a mammogram). You can do what you want and just don't think of them as being there.

The early rupture rate is not high and it is unlikely the physical activities would pose any undue risk. But all saline implants will leak some day. The manufacturer has a warranty that will reduce your out of pocket expenses when that occurs.