At Pacifica Center for Plastic Surgery in Oxnard, California, patients often ask about the two types of breast implants, silicone and saline. After you have selected the right plastic surgeon, it is time to choose the type of breast implant you want to use.
The choice between silicone and saline is a personal choice and there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer. The FDA requires that women be at least 18 years old to get breast augmentation with saline-filled implants and at least 22 years old to receive silicone implants.
The website WebMD.com provides this description: saline-filled implants are silicone shells filled with sterile salt water (saline). They’re inserted empty, and then filled once they’re in place.
Silicone-filled implants are silicone shells filled with a plastic gel (silicone). Although many women say that silicone implants feel more like real breasts than saline, they pose more of a risk if they leak. Silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel a thick, sticky fluid that closely mimics the feel of human fat.
There are always risks with any type of surgery or procedure. Some of the risks include:
Scar tissue that distorts the shape of the breast implant (capsular contracture)
Breast pain
Infection
Changes in nipple and breast sensation, usually temporary
Implant leakage or rupture
Correcting any of these complications might require additional surgery, either to remove or replace the implants.
Most of our patients report a pleasant experience with their implants and are happy they had the procedure performed. According to one study, over 80 percent of patients who underwent breast implant surgery reported that they were satisfied with the outcome. Here at Pacifica Center for Plastic Surgery in Oxnard, California, we can help educate you on the pros, cons and the risks. The final decision is ultimately yours to make.
