Body Last Updated: November 9, 2010

Saline or Silicone

Saline or Silicone

A variety of important decisions prior to your Vancouver breast implant surgery will affect the final look and feel of your results. Plastic Surgeon Dr. Robyn Watts will help you evaluate the different options and help you choose the best option for you.

Benefits of Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants are comprised of a rubber implant shell that is filled with sterile saline through a valve once the implants are placed inside the body. The look and feel of the final result, including how soft the implants are, depend on the amount of saline that is used to fill the shell. Saline breast implants come in different sizes and profiles, and the outer shell is another component of breast implants can be round or textured .

• Saline-filled breast implants can be placed in any of the various implant or incision placements
• Saline breast implants may involve short incisions since the implants are filled once the shell is already inside the body
• If the implant ruptures, the sterile saline is safely absorbed into the body
• Saline implants costs less than silicone
• Saline breast implants tend to have a water balloon feel which is not as natural as silicone
• If the implant ruptures, the saline is immediately absorbed into the body and an obvious and visible size deflation will be seen
• Saline implants are more likely to ripple than silicone-gel filled implants

 

Benefits of Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone implants are becoming more popular as they have a more natural feel than saline implants. To the touch, the feel of silicone implants is more like real breast tissue, as opposed to the feel of saline implants, which is more akin to a water balloon.

• Silicone breast implants are pre-filled and come in a range of profiles, textures and cohesivity
• May have a more natural feel than saline implants
• Less likely to ripple
• More expensive than saline
• Incisions may be larger
• Depending in the implant size, the implant may not be able to be placed through a Transaxillary incision

Implant Incisions

There are three common places for incisions and the implant can be placed either under or over the muscle. Each incision and placement option comes with its own unique set of risks and benefits.

Getting the Right Fit

Achieving your breast augmentation objectives is dependent upon a number of variables, including implant size, implant shape, implant filler and implant profile . Dr. Watts will review all of these options with you in detail during your consult.

Ready to Discuss Your Needs With a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Robyn Watts?

Schedule a Consult if you are ready to book a consult with Dr. Watts, please Request a Consult . If you would like to learn more about what to expect during a surgical consult, please go here .

Not Sure You Are a Candidate? Use Our Virtual Consult Form

Not everybody is a candidate for cosmetic surgery. As a service to clients, we have launched a Virtual Consultation tool. Upload your photos, provide some information about what you would like to change, and a cosmetic surgeon will provide a complementary evaluation. Find out more about the Virtual Consultation here.