Silicone or Saline Breast Implants?

Apr 30, 2015 | 2. Blog, Breast Augmentation, Breast Augmentation and Lift, Breast Revision, Breast Surgery

Why CosMediTour Surgeons only use Cohesive Silicone Gel Implants

The surgeons at CosMediTour are adamant on providing only the best quality implants for all of their patients to ensure the best possible outcome. In both Australia and Thailand CosMediTour Surgeons only offer Cohesive Silicone Gel Breast Implants as they prefer them over Saline Implants for the following reasons:

They are a newer form of technology
They are made in a variety of round and tear-drop shapes which means it is easier to choose a breast implant to achieve the breast shape you desire
They also have the most natural look and feel of real breasts
They have a lower chance of creating ripples and or wrinkles on the skin.

Below is some useful information to assist you if you are currently researching Silicone and Saline implants.

Silicone Cohesive Gel Implants

Over 90% of breast implants used in Australia are Silicone Gel Implants. Cohesive Silicone Gel Implants are filled with a “jelly like” silicone substance. They come filled at one size and are not adjustable in the operating room. Therefore, the incision for a Silicone Gel Implant is slightly larger than the incision for a Saline Implant because the Silicone Implant is filled before insertion into the body.

One advantage of Gel Implants is the fact that in almost all cases it is very difficult to detect by touch or feel that an implant is present. In many cases it is actually impossible to detect the implant at all. This makes Gel Implants a very good option for women who are quite slender and have a small natural breast volume, as saline implants are sometimes very easily detected by touch or feel in these patients.

If a silicone breast implant ruptures, you might not notice right away — or ever — because any free silicone tends to remain trapped in the fibrous tissue (capsule) that forms around the implant. This is known as a silent rupture. Leaking silicone gel isn’t proven to cause any long-term health problems — such as breast cancer. But a ruptured Silicone Implant might eventually cause breast pain or changes in the contour or shape of the breast.

If this happens, your Surgeon will likely recommend surgical removal. If you wish, a new implant can usually be inserted at the same time.

If an MRI scan detects an implant rupture but you don’t have any signs or symptoms, it might be up to you and your doctor to weigh the risks and benefits of keeping the implant in place or having it removed.

Silicone Implants Pros

More natural look and feel
Low chance of creating ripples and wrinkles in skin
More variety in shape and size of the implant
Less likely to rupture

Silicone Implants Cons

If ruptured you may not notice straight away and will require MRI scan to confirm

Saline Implants

Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. Saline Implants require a smaller incision and once the shell is inserted into the breast area, it is filled with saline, this allows a tailored sizing during surgery.

The main reason why many patients opt for Saline Implants is that if the implant were to rupture the breast “deflates” and the saline is simply absorbed by the body causing no internal damage or health issues.

Saline Implants have a much firmer feel and are a lot more rounded than silicone, they will create more fullness to the upper portion of the breasts, causing them to look more stiff and unnatural. They also have a tendency to create ripples and or wrinkles on the skin. Incase you didn’t already predict, saline implants are filled with sterile saline (sodium chloride), the same cleansing agent you use for cleaning contact lenses etc.

Saline Implants Pros

Smaller incision in the breast
If ruptured the sterile salt water can be absorbed by the body with no adverse health issues

Saline Implants Cons

Looks and feels less natural
Deflated breast if implant has ruptured
Prone to wrinkles and ripples on the breast
Slightly higher rate of rupture than Silicone

Saline and Silicone Breast Implants also have other similar risks, including:

Capsular Contracture (although a textured implants reduce this risk)
Breast pain
Infection
Changes in nipple and breast sensation (mostly temporary)
Implant leakage or rupture
Rippling or wrinkling of the skin

Correcting any of these complications may require additional surgery, either a small adjustment to the implant or the breast, or to remove or replace/exchange the implants. In this rare instance CosMediTour has a Breast Surgery Travel Warranty available (if pre purchased), and there is also a 10 Year Manufacturer warranty set by the manufacturer.

For more information about Breast Implant Shapes (Round/Tear Drop), Breast Implant Surfaces (Smooth/Textured) or Breast Implant Profiles (Low, Medium, High). Please see our ‘All About Breast Implants‘ Blog.

Any questions? Contact CosMediTour we’re happy to discuss any questions you have!