Breast implants are becoming more realistic and more accessible than ever, and at Arviv Plastic Surgery, we work with each of our clients to guarantee the best possible results, from providing guidance before and after surgery to helping you choose exactly which implants are the right choice for your lifestyle and preferred look. Two of the most common breast implants are saline and silicone options. Read through this helpful comparison guide to saline vs. silicone implants to start deciding which ones you like best.
Two Primary Types of Breast Implants
Breast implants augment natural breast tissue to create the desired size and shape. The implants sit between the breast tissue and chest muscles. Surgeons can insert breast implants in the chest, and there are numerous different techniques, materials, and customization options to choose between. Silicone breast implants and saline breast implants are the two most popular options for cosmetic augmentation and breast reconstruction.
What Is a Saline Implant?
A saline implant is a breast implant made of a hollow silicone shell. Surgeons can implant the empty silicone and then fill it with a sterile saline solution. Each implant has a port for easy filing through a valve, and medical professionals can adjust the amount of saline in the implant after surgery as needed.
What Is a Silicone Implant?
A silicone breast implant also has a solid silicone outer shell, and the inside is filled with silicone gel. The silicone gel replicates the look and feel of natural breast tissue, and you can choose from different sizes and firmness levels based on your current breasts and your preferred outcome.
Comparing Saline vs. Silicone Implants
When you’re deciding between saline vs. silicone implants, there are many different factors to weigh. These implants can be permanent, so understanding the differences (especially how saline vs. silicone implants look) is crucial for a look you love year after year.
Cost of the Implants
Silicone implants have approximately double the cost of saline implants. Silicone implants are more expensive to produce, and there are also more size, shape, and firmness options available to choose between. Additional factors that can impact the total cost of the procedure are:
- Your location
- The experience of your plastic surgeon
- If you request supplemental procedures like breast lifts or have follow-up treatments to reduce the appearance of scars or stretch marks
Regardless of which type of implants you choose, keep in mind that most health insurance providers will not cover cosmetic surgery (outside of cancer-related breast reconstruction).
The Look of Silicone vs. Saline Implants
One of the biggest factors to consider is appearance. Both saline and silicone implants made today are far more realistic than in previous generations, so either option can be a good fit for your aesthetic goals. However, when you’re comparing saline vs. silicone implants, silicone products almost always look more realistic. The silicone gel filling the implant looks and feels more like breast tissue; it’s also firmer and won’t ripple or react to movement like liquid. Saline implants, on the other hand, do move around like liquid because they’re filled with a saline solution. While stationary saline breast implants look firm and round, they can wrinkle or ripple while you walk, jog, or move around.
Safety of the Implant
Both silicone and saline implants are safe. At Arviv Plastic Surgery, our team has years of experience implanting, removing, and modifying many different types of breast implants, and we provide our patients with responsive care and resources for fast recovery. However, there are different advantages to either type:
- Saline implants are more likely to leak, but ruptures are easier to detect and diagnose.
- Silicone implants are less likely to leak, but ruptures are hard to detect, and leaked silicone remains trapped in adjacent tissue.
Which Type of Implant Are You a Candidate For?
If you’re looking for high-quality breast augmentation, the team at Arviv Plastic Surgery is here to help. Sign up for an in-person consultation with our team to learn more about the differences between silicone vs. saline before and after surgery and choose the perfect fit for your new look.
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