Saline vs Silicone Breast Augmentation |
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By: Dr Barry Eppley Posted: 2008-02-12 05:11:11 |
| Silicone breast implants for breast augmentation emerged from its hiatus in late 2006 for widespread commercial use. Since it has 'returned', many new patients have opted for the 'new' silicone' rather than the 'traditional' saline implant. There are many reasons for it but your decision should be based on knowledge and not societal trends.Saline implants have the following benefits: 1) They are put in deflated, rolled up, and inflated after they are in proper position. Therefore, they can be put in through very small remote incisions such as the armpit, 2) They cost less than silicone, typically $1,000 less per operation, and 3) They are the most natural material (salt water) so if they leak, you are essentially just taking a big drink of water. Saline implants have the following two liabilities: 1) They have the phenomenon of wrinkling or rippling. In other words, you will be able to feel, and sometimes see, ripples along the bottom and sides of your breasts. Saline implants will have this 'normal' appearance. 2) Saline breast implants carry a forever risk of deflation, just like a flat tire. When a saline implant fails (ruptures), you will know it almost immediately because you will develop a 'flat tire' quite quickly. While some saline breast implants may never deflate, it is unlikely they will last beyond 10 to 20 years.Silicone implants have exactly the opposite benefits and liabilities of saline implants. On the positive side, 1) Silicone breast implants do not have the ripple phenomenon that saline implants do. in most patients, silicone implants do a better job of mimicking the feel of actual breast tissue. Silicone implants, by feel, are natural and hard to detect, and 2) if a silicone implant ruptures, the filler material will not run out as it is like 'jello'. As a result, the breast does not deflate in size or get smaller. The ruptured implant is essentially undetectable, and as long as the breast remains soft and pain-free, you can live with a ruptured silicone breast implant without the need for further surgery. On the liability side, 1) Silicone implants come pre-filled, thus needing a larger incision to surgically implant it. The most common incision location for silicone implants is in the inframammary crease (breast fold). Incisions off of the breast can not be made cosmetically small enough to put a silicone implant through. And 2) they cost more than saline, at least $1,000 more in most cases. Lastly, the issue of potential health risks from silicone breast implants has been put to bed after many years of extensive studies by implant manufacturers and the FDA.The best way to chose which type of breast implant is for you......which of the negatives can you live with the best......risk of rippling and deflation (saline)......or higher cost and a bigger incision (silicone)...the choice is truly yours!Barry Eppley, MD, DMD writes a daily blog on plastic surgery at http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com. he is in private plastic surgery practice at Clarian Health in Indianapolis. |
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