What is the difference between saline and silicon breast implants?
Both saline and silicone implants have a silicone shell. The difference is in what fills the implants. A saline implant is filled with saline solution, the same that is used for IV’s. Thus, if the implant ruptures, the body absorbs the saline and the breast shrinks or deflates. A silicone implant is filled with a silicone gel. The silicone has improved with time. The current silicone is called “cohesive” meaning it holds to itself. If the implant were cut in half, the silicone would simply stay were it is and hold its form. If a silicone implant ruptures, you would likely not know as it would stay in the capsule (scar tissue that forms around all implants). Both implants have advantages and disadvantages. Saline implants are empty when we put them into position so they can be placed through smaller incisions, usually an inch and a quarter in length. However, saline implants ripple more and do not feel as natural. Silicone implants are filled when we put them in place and therefore need
