Saline vs. Silicone
Breast implants can be filled with either saline or silicone. Your choice will be based on your preferences and your discussion with Dr. Pham about the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
Saline Breast Implants
- Saline is just salt water
- Can be absorbed by the body in case of leak
- Easy to detect in case of breast implant leak
- Uses smaller incision size because implant is filled at surgery
- When placed with adequate breast soft tissue coverage or under the muscle the results can be just as natural as silicone
Silicone Gel Breast Implants
- Requires larger incision size because implant comes prefilled
- Cannot be absorbed by the body in case of leak
- Difficult to detect in case of breast implant leak
- Manufacturers recommend MRI breast exam every other year
- Must be older than 23 years of age
- More natural feeling implants with less breast soft tissue coverage or over the muscle placement
