Saline Breast Implants: The Pros and Cons for Patients to Consider

One of the most dramatic ways for a woman to enhance their appearance is to undergo breast enlargement surgery. Breast augmentation surgery uses silicone or saline implants to increase breast size and alter the shape of the bustline. Women may feel more confident and feminine after their surgery has been performed.

There are different options for breast implants out there, but typically we get questions about how saline breast implants compare to silicone implants. Let's focus on saline breast implants right now, and consider the advantages and disadvantages of getting them.

About Saline Breast Implants

Saline breast implants consist of a silicone shell filled with a saline solution. For several years when silicone breast implants were banned from use in the United States, these were the only kinds of breast implants available. Since the return of silicone breast implants to the US market, saline implants have continued to be popular for a variety of reasons.

The Advantages of Saline Breast Implants

The advantages of saline breast implants are as follows:

• Many Incision Options for Surgery – With saline breast implants, it's possible for a plastic surgeon to perform a surgery and not make incisions on the breasts or around the nipples. That means no visible scarring but the benefits of breast augmentation.

• Greater Flexibility with Regard to Size and Placement – The saline solution is placed in the breast implants after they are put in place. This allows for larger breast implants and potentially more robust results.

• Easier to Detect Implant Ruptures and Leaks – If a breast implant ruptures or leaks, a person with saline implants will be able to tell very quickly. This allows for immediate attention to a rupture, which is much more difficult to detect with silicone breast implants.

The Disadvantages of Saline Breast Implants

While there are notable advantages to saline implants, there are important disadvantages to consider as well:

• Less Natural Shape and Appearance – While saline implants yield good results, they can sometimes appear rounder than is natural, potentially making the aesthetic outcomes a bit compromised.

• Potential for Rippling – In addition to issues with shape and appearance, it's also possible for rippling to occur. This simply means that ripples on the implant surface may be visible on the surface of the patient's breasts.

• Issues with Natural Texture – Many people who get saline breast implants note that their breasts feel stiffer and hard, while a softer texture would be much more natural in terms of results.

Which Kind of Breast Implants Are Right for Me?

This is the sort of question we cannot possibly answer online. The best way for you to figure this out is to come to our practice for a consultation. We'll be able to assess your situation and determine the most ideal type of breast implant for you and your needs. We can go over incision locations and implant size as well to determine how the procedure can best be performed and executed.

Learn More About Saline Breast Implants

For more information about your surgical treatment options and how we can help you achieve total wellness and improved appearance, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon today. We look forward to your visit and discussing these matters in much greater detail.