If you've decided that you want breast augmentation, a plastic surgery procedure to enlarge your breasts, one of the key decisions you and your doctor will make is what type of implant to use. In addition to size and shape, the material used to fill the implants themselves is an important consideration in the look and feel of your breasts. Today, most implants used in
breast augmentation surgery are filled with sterile saline or silicone, and enclosed in a harder silicone casing. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Saline Breast Implants
Sterile saline implants are filled with a saline, or salt, solution that matches the body's make-up. Some women find that saline-filled implants may not look or feel as natural as silicone implants, and sometimes small wrinkles, or ripples, in the implant might show. The advantage is that if a saline implant leaks or ruptures, the solution is harmlessly absorbed by the body.
Silicone Breast Implants
The safety of silicone-filled breast implants was debated for many years, and silicone implants were banned by the FDA for over 10 years. However, there is no solid evidence that there are any of long-term health risks once associated with silicone breast implants (such as cancer or autoimmune disease), and they are now approved by the FDA for use in breast augmentation surgery.
One advantage to silicone implants is that they look and feel more like natural breast tissue. However, if the implant leaks or ruptures, the silicone leaks into the surrounding tissue. The body's response to this "foreign substance" is to encapsulate the silicone with scar tissue. The scar tissue can harden and become fixed in place, which can cause discomfort and affect the movement and appearance of the breasts.
You and your surgeon will also need to discuss the size of the implants, and whether or not they will be of a fixed size, or adjustable during or after surgery. Your
breast implant surgeon will make recommendations depending upon your body type, age, general health, whether or not you plan to breast feed, and the look and feel you want for your new breasts. If you decide on silicone breast implants, be sure that your surgeon has experience with that type of implant.
It's important to know that breast implants do not last indefinitely. Leaking or rupture may necessitate additional surgery, and over time, they do wear out. But if a larger breast size is your goal, there are implant choices today to give you the bust line you've always wanted.