Saline implants are filled with a “Normal Saline” solution which is basically sterilized water with added sodium chloride (salt). Should the implant rupture or leak, this saline solution, just like water, would be absorbed completely by your body. Silicone implants are filled with a silicone gel and are currently utilized only under guidelines set by the FDA as part of a long term study of their safety.

Overall silicone implants are softer and feel more natural than saline implants. In addition, silicone implants are much more expensive than their saline counterparts. See similar questions...

Saline breast implants require a smaller incision for placement and they are less expensive than the silicone breast implants. If the saline implant ruptures your breast will appear deflated and your body will absorb the saline. See similar questions...

The recent FDA approval of silicone gel implants gives women more implant options than ever. Many patients report silicone gel implants feel more like natural breasts and many physicians prefer them for that same reason. Saline implants are time-tested and have advantages as well. Click to breast implant options or to recent articles to read more. And, don't forget that Dr. Stevens or Dr. Stoker will give you plenty of information in your consultation and assist you in making the right choice. See similar questions...

If silicone implants get back on the market, the vast majority of surgeons will use them over saline. Studies have demonstrated their safety profile, and the feel of silicone implants, in most patients, is simply more natural than with saline. Silicone implants are the most common implant used outside of the United States. See similar questions...

The new cohesive gel silicone implants are generally thought to feel more natural than saline filled implants. There is clear scientific evidence that silicone is safe to use. However I will discuss the pros and cons of all the implants with you and the final choice is yours. See similar questions...

It can be effective, but carefully question your surgeon regarding his/her surgical plan. Do as much research as possible. The more incisions that are placed during implant surgery, particularly below the nipple, and on the inferior breast, the greater the chances of complications. I would be very wary of this type of "combined" surgery, particularly with a vertical or infra-mammary incision. Most breast surgeons do not agree, avoid these implants, and have had many problems with them. See similar questions...

The women who benefit the most from the improved feel and decreased rippling of silicone implants are women with little natural breast tissue. These women do not have much tissue to cover the implant, therefore, the feel of the implant becomes very important. See similar questions...

Although the majority of women are happy with their results whether they choose saline or silicone gel implants, there are some differences in the results. Saline implants have the advantage of placement through somewhat smaller incisions and more varied locations. They are also filled at the time of surgery and the size can, therefore, be "fine tuned" intra-operatively. This can be particularly helpful if there is breast asymmetry. See similar questions...

The Institute of Medicine, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, recently concluded that women with silicone breast implants are no more likely than the rest of the population to develop serious illnesses. The report said that new studies have led to, among others, the following conclusions: There is no evidence suggesting silicone used for breast implants is toxic to humans. There is no established link between implants and a unique disease syndrome. See similar questions...

Currently, most surgeons are using saline implants. For more information on the availability of silicone implants, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and risks associated with each, please refer to the section entitled "Saline Versus Silicone Implants", which can be found in the "Implant Reconstruction" section. See similar questions...

In November of 2006, the FDA determined that silicone breast implants are safe for use, and they are now widely available for cosmetic breast augmentation. At your consultation, we will discuss the important issues and reccomendations regarding the new availability of silicone breast implants. See similar questions...

Most breast implants will allow for additional saline to be added (or removed) after surgery. This is a simple office procedure, and can be done under local anesthetic. The price for this varies from surgeon to surgeon, so you will need to ask your doctor what his/her fee is. However, the Mentor High Profile saline breast implants, Mentor Spectrum Expandable, and Mentor Becker Expandable breast implants cannot have saline added or removed once the fill port is taken out. See similar questions...

In order to get silicone implants for your first breast augmentation, you must meet certain requirements. The Adjunct Study requires that you: If a surgeon allows you to have silicone for your first surgery, and you do not meet any of the above criteria, your doctor is breaking the laws set forth by the FDA. Occasionally, there are studies that do allow silicone for first-time patients. Two examples would be the Core Gel Study by Mentor, or the Cohesil study by McGhan. See similar questions...

At this time, there are special categories that a Cosmetic Surgery patient will need to fall into to be able to request silicone gel implants. We can discuss these criteria with you at the consultation if you are interested. The FDA is assessing the possibility of allowing patients to use silicone gel implants but at this time, it is not FDA approved for all patients. Our San Diego Plastic Surgery office has many patients coming from out of town/state to have Dr. See similar questions...

Yes. Breastmilk from mothers with silicone implants actually has less silicone in it than formula and cow's milk. However, bear in mind that breast surgery can sometimes affect the anatomy of the breast, so your baby should be followed closely at first to make sure your are physically able to make enough milk. See similar questions...

It feels more like breast tissue. The gel-like feel is more natural than the fluid-like feel of saline. See similar questions...

Sixty per cent of the human body is made of saline. Therefore, if there is a rupture the saline just gets flushed out of the body. With silicone, the gel remains and is much harder to remove it completely. The incision to put silicone implants in is a little longer than that of saline. This is because saline implants go into the breast empty and then are inflated, silicone implants, on the other hand, go into the body already filled. See similar questions...

Some women are concerned that silicone is dangerous because of its association with breast implants. However, there is a major difference between the silicone in breast implants, and the silicone used in The DivaCup. The older breast implants that caused all the problems were made from a sac filled with silicone gel. In the past, problems occurred when the sacs were rupturing or improperly sealed valves were allowing the silicone gel to leak into the body. See similar questions...