Choosing Between Silicone & Saline Breast Implants

A poll at www.implantinfo.com found that women interested in breast augmentation are more likely to want silicone vs. saline breast implants. Of the 481 women who responded that they were planning to get breast augmentation surgery, 58 percent said they would choose silicone breast implants, 24 percent said they would choose saline breast implants, and 17 percent were undecided.

Statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show a a more even split. In 2009, half of the women who received breast implants in the U.S. got silicone implants and half saline. The year before, ASPS data shows that 53 percent got  saline implants and 47 percent chose silicone.

All breast implants are made out of a silicone outer shell; the difference between implants is what they are filled with.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline breast implants, available to women 18 and older for breast augmentation, are filled with saline, usually at the time of surgery. Some women find that saline implants do not have a natural look and feel and that silicone mimics this more effectively.

One of the advantages of saline is that the surgeon can fill the implant during surgery, which allows for a smaller incision. Another advantage is that the size of saline implants can be altered over time. Saline implants feature small valves in which a doctor can insert a needle and either add or subtract the liquid.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants, available to women 22 and older for breast augmentation, are pre-filled with silicone gel. The gel is a thick, sticky fluid that closely mimics the feel of human fat. Many women feel that silicone breast implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue.  Unlike with saline implants, the size of silicone implants can’t be altered without changing the implant during an operation.

Dr. Will offers both types of implants for breast augmentation, and he can help you decide which type of implant will work best. Browse his photo gallery for before and after photos of breast augmentation patients.