Saline Breast Implants

Saline breast implants, which provide excellent breast augmentation results for most women, have both advantages and disadvantages over other types of breast implants. Because silicone implants are once again available in the United Stages, careful consideration of the different types of breast implants is advisable. A highly qualified DocShop breast augmentation surgeon can provide information and assistance to help you decide if saline breast implants are right for you.

Breast Implant Fillers: Saline Implants

Saline breast implants were used almost exclusively in the United States from 1992 until November 2006 because of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ban on silicone implants. Now that the FDA ban has been lifted and both types of breast implants are available, women have additional choices for breast augmentation surgery. While some people believe that silicone breast implants are softer and feel more natural, the latest saline breast implants are soft and very durable. Saline breast implant sizes range from 120cc to 850cc, and they are available in round and teardrop shapes so that a procedure can be tailored to a patient's specific body contour. A patient wanting large breast implants bigger than 850cc will need custom implants. Most saline breast implants are filled during surgery. Pre-filled saline breast implants are currently under review by the FDA.

Advantages of Saline Breast Implants

A big advantage of saline breast implants over silcone types of breast implants is their safety. The FDA originally banned silicone implants in 1992 because of reports that silicone leakage was causing serious health issues in some patients. With saline breast implants, this is not a concern. The human body can easily absorb saline solution, which is essentially saltwater, if a leak or rupture should occur. In addition, a rupture is almost immediately evident with a saline breast implant because deflation is rapid. When silicone breast implants rupture, the silicone can leak without a noticeable difference in the look of the breasts. This and other breast augmentation risks should be discussed at length with a qualified cosmetic surgeon.

Another distinct advantage of saline breast implants is their cost compared with silicone types of breast implants. Saline breast implants are much less expensive than silicone implants, which can be a significant consideration when calculating breast augmentation cost and affordability.

Disadvantages of Saline Breast Implants

A disadvantage of saline breast implants is that because they are filled with water, they tend to show rippling more than silicone-gel breast implants. This is particularly true for thin women who have less breast tissue to cover the implants, reconstructive surgery patients, and women who have subglandular placement of the breast implants. Saline breast implants also present the risk of capsular contracture. Capsular contracture is a potential complication from breast implants in which scar tissue forms around and squeezes the implants, causing the breasts to harden.

Who is a Candidate for Saline Breast Implants?

Saline breast implants are appropriate for breast enlargement or breast reconstruction. For women who have been unhappy about their breasts' size or shape, and for women whose breasts have lost shape and volume due to childbirth or age, saline breast implants can increase breast size and restore lift and contour. For all types of breast implants, women considering breast augmentation surgery should be in good health and not pregnant or nursing. A personal consultation with a DocShop plastic surgeon will determine if you meet the qualifications to receive saline breast implants.

Find a Breast Augmentation Surgeon near You

Saline breast implants provide excellent breast enhancement at a lower cost than other types of breast implants. Use DocShop's extensive listings to find a highly qualified cosmetic surgeon in your area who will provide you with more information and help you decide if saline breast implants are right for you.