If you’ve recently decided to go ahead with breast augmentation surgery, congratulations – you’ve already made the biggest decision.
Breast augmentation is a very popular and effective way to increase your bust size, reduce sagging, improve firmness and correct any issues with asymmetrical or disproportionately sized breasts.
However, you’ll still need to consider which implant material is best for you. Breast implants can be made up of 2 types of different fillers – either silicone gel or saline solution.
Each implant material has its own pros and cons, so there is no clear way to say which type of implant is best is best. You must decide based largely on your own personal goals and preferences and the expert advice provided by your cosmetic surgeon.
To help you start thinking about your decision, we’ve put together some information on the silicone and saline filler materials that are used for implants in breast augmentation, as well as the pros and cons of each.
Silicone Breast Implants
In Australia, approximately 99% of breast augmentation procedures use silicone, however saline is still an option.
Silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel, chosen as a filler material because of its excellent cohesion, durability and robustness. This means silicone implants are long lasting, soft and light.
Another big advantage of silicone implants is that the gel feels slightly more like natural breast tissue than saline, resulting in very natural looking and feeling breasts. There is less “rippling” and silicone provides a very normal slope to the upper part of the breast.
The main drawback of silicone implants is that if the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket. A leaking implant filled with silicone gel will not collapse. Therefore, if you choose silicone implants, you may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly.
Saline Breast Implants
With saline breast implants, the implant is filled with sterile salt water. Saline breast implants provide a uniform shape, firmness and feel.
The biggest advantage of saline implants is that if the implant shell ever leaked, a saline implant will simply collapse, with the saline being absorbed and naturally expelled by the body. Many people see this as a very safe and risk-free option.
There are also variations in the placements of incisions, during breast augmentation procedures, and these will largely depend on which implant material is used. With saline implants, you’ll have more options as to where the incisions in the breast can be made, providing greater choice for patients in terms of where their scars are located.
Because saline implants are only inflated after insertion, they also require smaller incisions, which helps reduce scarring.
However, saline implants are more likely to become ruptured or deformed, so you will have to consider these trade-offs when making your decision.
Australia’s Leading Plastic Surgery Practice
Still wondering whether saline or silicone implants are the right option for you?
Talk to a professional cosmetic surgeon about the differences between saline and silicone breast implants, to find the best personalised solution for you.
Contact the team at Australia Cosmetic Clinics, Australia’s leading plastic surgery practice with clinics in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Providing a holistic approach to cosmetic surgery, the friendly team of cosmetic surgeons and expert registered nurses are committed to quality and safety in every aspect of the customised treatment program we provide to our patients.
ACC specialise in breast augmentation (breast implants), tummy tuck and mommy makeover surgery, buttock augmentation, rhinoplasty (nose job), breast lifts, breast reduction, liposuction, face lifts, eyelid surgery and more.
Call ACC on 1300 559 848 or contact the team online to book your surgical consultation session.
