Types of breast implants - Saline vs. Silicone

Saline implants

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.

Since the implants are empty when they are surgically inserted,the scar is slightly smaller than is necessary for silicone gel breast implants (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 to your overall body height, weight, chest length, chest width, and current amount of breast tissue.

Picture of a saline breast implant

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants are filled with a fixed amount of silicone gel. Silicone breast implants vary in shell surface (smooth/textured), shape, volume, and shell thickness. Most silicone gel-filled implants are not adjustable.

Recently, an improved form of gel was developed. This newer type of silicone gel implant is called cohesive gel. These cohesive gel implants can retain their shape even if the shell ruptures, since they are slightly thicker in consistency.

Cohesive gel implant cut to show no leakage

Silicone breast implants

Silicone gel-filled breast implants are now available for all women age 22 years and up.Dr. Roy Kim is very experienced in the use of silicone implants and was an FDA breast implant investigator. He was involved in FDA studies of both Mentor and Inamed silicone breast implants.

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 texture that is more similar to breast tissue.

Some patients choose saline implants because they cost less than silicone implants. When you come in for a consultation with San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Kim, you will have an opportunity to compare and see how each type of breast implant feels.

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.

Both types of breast implants require maintenance. San Francisco plastic surgeon, Dr. Kim, will inform you of what this involves. Also, when you have a mammogram, be sure to inform the technician that you have breast implants.

Learn more about Breast Augmentation:

• On-Q Pain pump for plastic surgery patients.
• Breast Enhancement FAQ’s
• Breast Implant Sizing
• Silicone vs. Saline Breast Implants
• Capsular Contracture

To schedule an appointment or to learn more about a breast augmentation, please contact us today. Or, click to read more about breast enhancement in San Francisco.