What is the difference between silicone gel and saline breast implants?
Both saline and silicone gel implants have the same outer shell which is made of a silicone elastomer (rubber). The saline is filled with salt water and the gel with a cohesive gelatinous silicone jelly. Saline implants can be adjusted in size in the operating room or post operatively with an implanted valve under the skin. The feel, if filled properly, is that of water in a baggie. If they are grossly overfilled, they feel somewhat firm and unnatural. They often wrinkle in women with thin overlying tissues, as the water will seek a gravity layering in different positions. They do cost less and the incision to place them can be smaller as they can be filled inside the pocket made to hold them. Silicone gel implants on the other hand feel more natural, wrinkle less, and are not changeable in size once they are in. Also, because they are pre-filled with gel, they may require a larger incision to be able to place them in the pocket behind the breast. Silicone breast implants today cost mo
Both saline and silicone gel implants have the same outer shell which is made of a silicone elastomer (rubber). The saline is filled with salt water and the gel with a cohesive gelatinous silicone jelly. Saline implants can be adjusted in size in the operating room or post operatively with an implanted valve under the skin. The feel, if filled properly, is that of water in a baggie. If they are grossly overfilled, they feel somewhat firm and unnatural. They often wrinkle in women with thin overlying tissues, as the water will seek a gravity layering in different positions. They do cost less and the incision to place them can be smaller as they can be filled inside the pocket made to hold them. Silicone gel implants on the other hand feel more natural, wrinkle less, and are not changeable in size once they are in. Also, because they are pre-filled with gel, they may require a larger incision to be able to place them in the pocket behind the breast. Silicone breast implants today cost mo
