Blog Article
Posted on April 7th, 2014 in
Breast Surgery
Decisions, decisions. Anytime you’re given a wide array of decisions, it can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you can make decisions that will be totally custom to you. On the other, you’re often stuck scratching your head and debating your options for hours, wishing that someone would just come along and nudge you in the right direction.
With a life-changing procedure like
breast augmentation, it is important that the decision to undergo the surgery is completely your own. As you prepare to choose your breast implants in Denver, one of the first questions you will consider is …
Should I choose silicone or saline breast implants in Denver?
Ah, the age-old question: silicone or saline? Both implants are actually made with a silicone outer shell, but where they differ is in the filler material. The new silicone gel implants are made with a cohesive silicone gel that resembles the texture of a gummy bear and remains in place when cut in half – hence their nickname,
gummy bear implants. Silicone implants are placed pre-filled. Saline implants are filled with a sterilized saltwater (also known as saline) solution after they’ve been placed in the breast pocket.
Are you at least 22 years old?
If your answer is no, then the answer to which implant is right for you is saline. While saline implants have been approved for women 18 and over, you will have to wait four more years before the option of silicone implants is available to you. At this age, it may be a good idea to wait until your breasts are fully developed as they will continue to change even after your breast augmentation.
Which breast implant is safer?
If you plan on choosing an implant based on which is safer, you may find yourself still stuck in the middle. Both
silicone and saline implants are approved for breast augmentation by the FDA. Some women are drawn to saline because saltwater simply sounds safer when deciding what to place in your body. However, because of the cohesive structure of the new silicone implants, they are extremely resistant to issues such as rupture, and do not leak.
Does silicone or saline look more natural?
Some women prefer the look of saline implants, but many feel that silicone implants look more natural. The cohesive structure of silicone implants has allowed them to be made into a more natural-looking, tear-drop shape whereas saline implants are more round. Implant placement can also affect the appearance of your implants. When placed subglandularly (between your pectoral muscle and breast tissue), saline implants become slightly more likely to show signs of rippling or bounce. However, this can be avoided with submuscular placement (beneath the muscle).
Which implant will last longer?
Neither silicone or saline implants are made to last forever, but the failure rate for both is extremely low. Because the implants are both made with an external silicone shell, saline and silicone implants have just about the same longevities. Chances are that if you choose to have breast implant revision surgery down the road, it likely will be to maintain the look of your breasts as your body continues to change with age rather than to replace a defective implant.
So which breast implant is better?
There really is no right answer that encompasses every single breast augmentation procedure. While one may work best with one woman, the other might be better for you. During your consultation, your
board-certified plastic surgeon will help you make a decision based on your body and expectations for your surgery.
To take the next step, click the button below for your own private
breast augmentation consultation.
