What’s The Difference Between Saline Implants And Silicone Gel Implants?
Posted on | February 16, 2010 | 2 Comments
Silicone v. Saline Implants
Some surgeons feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue.
Saline implants have some advantages. Silicone implant ruptures are harder to detect. When saline implants rupture, they deflate and the results are seen almost immediately. When silicone implants rupture, the breast often looks and feels the same because the silicone gel may leak into surrounding areas of the breast without a visible difference. Replacing a ruptured silicone gel implant is more difficult than repairing a saline implant. Silicone implants also have a higher rate of capsular contracture and a higher deflation rate.
SALINE
Saline implants have a silicone rubber shell that is inflated to the desired size with sterile saline. Most implants have a valve that is sealable by the surgeon. There are two types of saline-filled implants. One type is a fixed volume implant, which is filled with the entire volume of saline at implantation. Another type is an adjustable volume implant, which is filled intraoperatively and has the potential for further postoperative adjustment. On May 10, 2000, the FDA granted approval of saline-filled breast implants manufactured by Mentor Corporation and McGhan Medical.
SILICON
Silicone implants have a silicone rubber shell that is filled with a fixed amount of silicone gel. Each implant has a patch that covers the manufacturing port of the implant. Silicone implants vary in shell surface – smooth or textured; shape, profile, volume, shell thickness, and number of shell lumens. Most silicone gel-filled implants are not adjustable.
In the early 1990′s it was reported that silicone breast implants were responsible for connective tissue diseases in some women. After a comprehensive evaluation of the evidence for the Association of Silicon Breast Implants with human health conditions, the Institute of Medicine concluded in June that there is “no definitive evidence linking breast implants to cancer, neurological diseases, neurological problems or other systemic diseases.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states:
“For some years controversy has existed over silicone implants used for breast augmentation or replacement after mastectomy. Adverse effects from their use have been widely reported in the popular press, with conflicting information often appearing in the medical literature. This controversy led the FDA first to ban any use of these implants and then to permit limited use, mainly as replacement after mastectomy.
Silicone is used not only in breast implants but also in implants located literally throughout every part of the body. It has been used: to construct heart valves and other cardiovascular prostheses; to fashion catheters which are used for purposes ranging from medication delivery to cardiac monitoring; in dentistry; as a facilitator for nerve regeneration; in ophthalmology; in the respiratory tract; as a prosthesis or ingredient in prostheses for many parts of the skeletal system; as a tissue expander; as a cosmetic agent for treatment of scars and wrinkles; and in many other applications.”
–
Comments
2 Responses to “What’s The Difference Between Saline Implants And Silicone Gel Implants?”
Leave a Reply
February 16th, 2010 @ 9:37 pm
[...] What's The Difference Between Saline Implants And Silicone Gel … Share and Enjoy: [...]
February 16th, 2010 @ 8:22 pm
Okay – Saline implants are filled with saline solution.
Silicone implants are filled with silicone.
Some people feel that the silicone “feel” more real that the saline – but there are opinions to the contrary.
I would suggest that you do some research online. If you’re considering getting implants – be sure you get THE BEST surgeon you can… even though it seems like just a simple surgery – you still want someone who KNOWS what they’re doing and are certified as a specialist. Perhaps someone who deals with cancer patients.
You just want to explore all the options – some people implant behind the muscles of the chest – some don’t. Some insert through the underarms – some through the nipple. Just really research this before doing ANYTHING! And get references – people who are HAPPY with what they got!
Good luck!