Difference Between Saline and Silicone Breast Implants - Westlake Plastic Surgery

What is the difference between saline and silicone breast implants? Expert breast augmentation surgeon Dr. Robert Caridi of Westlake Plastic Surgery in Austin, Texas explains the difference between saline and silicone (also called cohesive, or "gummy bear") breast implants.

With a silicone implant, the outer material is firmer and the inner material is more viscous, though not enough for it to easily flow out of the casing if it were to be cut.

The saline implant, on the other hand, is filled with a very viscous saltwater solution that easily flows out of the casing in the example when the casing is cut open for demonstration.

See 100+ patient stories with before and after photos of breast augmentations performed by Dr. Caridi at Westlake Plastic Surgery: https://westlakeplasticsurgery.com/br...

Read Dr. Caridi's thorough article on all aspects of breast augmentation : https://westlakeplasticsurgery.com/br...

Currently, there are three breast implant manufactures that sell FDA approved breast implants in the US market. They are the Allergan, Mentor and Sientra corporations. Both silicone and saline implants are widely popular. About 90 percent of breast implants sold in America are the silicone variety. As you can probably determine after visiting my website, the majority of implants chosen in my practice are silicone. This is a patient’s decision, which is only made after appropriate education regarding the pros and cons of the two implant types.

In November of 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of silicone breast implants after having removed them from the American market 14 years prior. Their reintroduction to the market was due to the lack of any scientific evidence that silicone is associated with disease conditions or adverse effects to your health (there was no evidence). The most convincing argument that favors silicone implants over saline comes from patients who have had experience with both. They almost unanimously recommend the silicone implants — they feel softer and more comfortable, as if a part of their breast rather than separate from their breast. The breast implant and the natural breast behave as one.

To learn even more about breast enhancement or breast augmentation surgery, visit https://westlakeplasticsurgery.com/au...