Saline vs. Silicone: What Breast Implants Are Right for You?
Have you always desired larger breasts, or have you heard about gummy bear breast implants and are wondering if they’re right for you? If you’re considering breast augmentation, the silicone vs. saline argument is one you’ll want to spend a lot of time considering. Choosing saline or silicone implants makes a difference in how your breasts will feel and look — and what they’ll cost.
What to Know About Gummy Bear Implants
Gummy bears might be an old candy, but when it comes to breast implants, they’re the latest technology. Made from a strong, cohesive silicone gel, Sientra’s “gummy bear” implants received FDA approval in 2012. Allergan and Mentor earned clearance soon after, and the form stable implants are growing in popularity.
Gummy bear implants feel firmer than 4th generation silicone implants and saline implants, and they look more natural. They also retain their shape better, although if you don’t want fullness in the upper breast area, you may find the look unappealing. Because they’re form stable, that vastly reduces the risk of breakage and leaking — but because they’re new, it’s unknown how long-lasting they are. Inserting the gummy bear implant into the breast requires a somewhat larger incision underneath the breast, leaving a larger scar, which is unlikely to make a significant cosmetic difference postoperatively however. Unlike saline implants, which can fold, silicone gummy bear implants do not scallop, therefore making any rippling less likely.
What to Know About Saline Implants
Many patients prefer silicone implants because they feel more natural than saline implants. Saline implants have decreased in popularity because they are prone to leaking, which requires follow-up replacement surgery. They’re also likely to result in a wavy or rippled look. But saline implants — made from a silicone shell and filled with saline at the time of surgery — require smaller incisions. They’re also a good choice when budget is an important concern. If cost and incision size matter to you, or you don’t like the look or feel of silicone implants, saline implants may be an option.
Keep in mind that no matter what kind of implant you choose, they may not last forever. Many women may choose to either remove, revise, or replace their implants after several years. But if you have always wanted to enjoy a more feminine and youthful physique, breast augmentation can be an excellent solution.
Contact SPRSI for More Information
Breast augmentation is major surgery, and not every candidate is right for this procedure. The most suitable patients are healthy nonsmokers with a history of maintaining a stable weight. In addition to these criteria, you should also have realistic expectations for the surgical outcome and adequate support at home during recovery.
If you are considering breast augmentation and you live in the Nashville or Franklin, Tennessee region, contact Dr. Nathan Brought. Dr. Brought is a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience performing cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. For a consultation on what type of implant is right for you, contact Southern Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Institute.
To schedule a consultation, call 615-791-9090.
