What is the difference between saline and silicone implants?
A saline implant has a silicone rubber shell filled with sterile saltwater. A silicone implant has the same shell filled with a silicone gel. Saline implants are used for the vast majority of augmentation patients. Silicone implants are available at present for selected breast augmentation patients and for almost all reconstruction patients. Some surgeons feel that silicone breast implants are somewhat superior, as they tend to be somewhat lighter than saline and more natural feeling. Saline breast implants are somewhat heavier and will pull more on the breast tissue over time and may result in earlier drooping or a mature breast sooner than would be hoped for. Good bra support over the years is important in preventing this appearance. A saline breast implant with a flaw will deflate slowly over several days or weeks and be easily noticeable; however, a flawed silicone implant will leak into the capsule surrounding the breast implant and may not be detectable by the patient, physician or even a mammogram. There is no urgency for exchanging silicone implants once this has happened unless the breast appears misshapen. There is no evidence to show that any disease is caused by silicone implants
See more at:www.breastimplantsafety.org
