Saline & Silicone Breast
Implants
There are two
types of breast implants available today - saline
and silicone gel implants. In both cases, the
implant shell is made of silicone elastomer
envelope.
Saline
Breast Implants
The main reason
why many patients opt for Saline Breast Implants is
that if the Implant were to rupture the breast
“deflates” and the saline is simply absorbed by the
body. However, Saline Breast Implants tend to
demonstrate wrinkles, which can be felt and are
sometimes visible. Saline
implants can be inflated to the desired size with
sterile saline. They are inserted during surgery
completely empty, and the surgeon fills them with
saline solution during surgery requiring a slightly
smaller scar than is necessary for silicone gel
breastimplants (which are filled with silicone
before the surgery is performed).
All implants, including saline implants, vary in
shape, volume, expandability, shell thickness and
shell surface. Therefore, they are easy to
customize based on your body, current amount of
breast tissue and desired result.
Silicone
Breast Implants
Today, modern
silicone breast implants are substantially
different from the old type used in the 1970's and
80's. The casing of the silicone breast implant is
much thicker and allows less silicone "bleed"
through the implant shell. Modern silicone gel
implants contain a gel that is thicker and exhibits
more cohesive properties which retains it's shape,
does not run like a liquid, and has less rippling
than saline implants. Silicone implants are filled
with a fixed amount of silicone gel and vary in
shell surface (smooth/textured), projection and
volume.
Silicone gel-filled breast implants are now FDA
approved and recommended for all women age 22 years
and up. Dr. Shaw has over 25 years of experience
with the use of silicone implants and was involved
in FDA studies of both Mentor and Inamed silicone
breast implants.
Silicone
vs. Saline Breast Implants - What's right for you?
Many
breast enlargement patients believe that silicone
implants have a more natural look and feel than
saline implants. This is because silicone gel has a
composition that is more similar to breast tissue.
Some patients choose saline implants because they
cost less and implant deflation is noticed
immediately. Saline implants also have some
disadvantages compared to silicone implants.
Ruptures can happen more suddenly than in silicone
gel implants. Some women feel the movement of the
saline solution as a discomfort.
At your consultation with Dr. Shaw, you will have
an opportunity to compare and see how each type of
breast implant feels and Dr. Shaw will recommend
which implant might be better for you to achieve
the best possible result.
Cohesive
gel implants
Recently,
an improved form of gel was developed and is
currently awaiting FDA approval. This newer type of
silicone gel implant is called a cohesive gel
implant or "gummy bear" implant. These cohesive gel
implants can retain their shape even if the shell
ruptures, since they are thicker in consistency.
Dr. Shaw has been selected to serve on the National
Council of Leaders in Breast Aesthetics Advisory
Board which recently met to discuss Allergan's
Cohesive Gel "410" implant.
Cohesive
gel implant cut to show no leakage
Call to schedule a surgical
consult
I hope
you will call us with your questions, and schedule
an appointment to discuss breast implant options.
Choosing the right implant for you is an important
decision and I'm sure you have many questions.
Let's get the discussion started.
Please call 480-767-1900