Breast Implants – Saline Vs Silicone – Five Things to Consider
For consumers researching breast implants, the choice between saline and silicone products is one of the biggest decisions they will have to make. Despite a former FDA ban the latter has rebounded to become the most popular choice. however, because popularity alone is not reason enough to base a decision, here is a summary of differences between the two products.
Silicone is an organic polymer that, coming in solid, liquid and gel form, has a variety of medical product uses including implants.
Saline is a saltwater solution similar to the fluid that makes up most of the human body.
Physicians say that when presented “blindly” with the two options, most patients will develop a preference for the silicone implant due to the fact that it has a more natural feel. the gel has a viscosity that closely resembles human fat, a large component of breast tissue.
Because saline is not compressible, it has been criticized for being hard and unnatural and in some instances creating a “sloshing” noise once implanted. however, improved surgical techniques have reduced these complaints.
Salines are inserted into the breast empty and then filled, allowing the process to be done with a small surgical scar. This also means that the size of these implants can be altered after the initial operation using a non-surgical procedure to adjust the amount of liquid.
Because silicone implants are implanted in their full gel form, a larger incision is needed. to adjust the size, additional surgeries will be needed to “swap-out” the original implant.
The risks of each option are very similar, including infection, pain and nerve damage, though certain side effects are more common with one or the other. Silicone implant recipients are more likely to experience a change in appearance due to a shrinking of the tissue surrounding the implant while saline are more prone to wrinkling and folding of the implant shell.
Both types of implants should be replaced after several years. both materials are also prone to rupture though there are marked differences in how this occurs. when saline implants rupture it deflates immediately and the fluid leaks into the body and disappears. because silicone retain their shape after they leak, it may require an MRI to detect a leak. the replacement procedure will be more extensive, given the leaked material must be removed.
While there are many factors to consider, only your physician can take into account your medical history and body type to help you make the best decision.
Breast Implants – Saline Vs Silicone – Five Things to Consider
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