When you’re planning your breast augmentation, you’ll have several different implant options to choose from. To help you make well-informed decisions, see what an overview of what these options looks like to a plastic surgeon, and from there you can decide which could be right for you.
Both saline and silicone breast implants have an outer silicone shell. Unlike silicone implants, however, saline implants are filled with a sterile saline solution once the structural shell is already placed inside the breast pocket.
Another difference is that saline implants have a tendency to create a rippled appearance that may be visible, depending on how much natural breast tissue you have. In the event of a rupture, saline implants typically deflate quickly, so you’ll know to see your plastic surgeon.
Silicone implants are filled with a special silicone gel that tends to look and feel more natural than saline implants*, which is why this type of breast implant is quite common among many women. On the downside, however, silicone implants will require an MRI in order to detect a rupture, as the form-stable gel inside won’t allow the implant to deflate.
[pullquote]A breast lift can be added to either silicone or saline implants if sagging tissue is also a concern.[/pullquote]
Once you’ve chosen the type of implant you want, you’ll need to discuss your placement options with your plastic surgeon. There are two general types of implant placement: 1) the implants are placed under only your breast tissue, and 2) the implants are placed under both your breast tissue and chest muscle.
The most appropriate implant type and placement for you will depend on your unique body shape and goals for your final results.
*This information is for education only and is not meant as a guarantee of results. Your results may vary.
