Saline or Silicone Implants, what’s the Difference

Are you considering a breast augmentation in Manhattan? If so, it is important to do your homework. Any cosmetic procedure should entail a consultation before any work is done. Before that consultation, an expert Manhattan cosmetic surgeon such as Dr. B. Aviva Preminger recommends patients already have a general idea as to their preferred size, shape, and type of implant they desire. During your consultation, she will determine your overall aesthetic goals, and how to reach them as easily as possible. One of the choices you have to make is determining whether saline implants or silicone implants are right for you. This article will explore the differences between the two options.

All implants, even saline ones, have a shell that is made of silicone. This outer covering holds the inside material, which is made of a versatile and flexible polymer—either saline or silicone.

Saline implants consist of the same type of fluid that is used in IV bags in hospitals to rehydrate patients. This fluid is, essentially, sterile salt water. A saline implant can come pre-filled or can consist of an empty shell of silicone, which then is filled by your Manhattan plastic surgeon to the desired size. Going with an empty implant allows a smaller incision to be made during the installation procedure.

Some of the disadvantages of saline implants include feeling less natural, and they tend to ripple more than silicone. However, saline implants also are less likely to lead to capsular contraction or the formation of scars.

Silicone implants are filled with a gel version of the same silicone used to construct the implant shell. This formulation of silicone is thicker and more viscous than saline, which often leads to implants that look, feel, and act more like natural tissue.

Placing silicone implants requires making a larger incision, but these implants are less at risk of folds and rippling. Women who receive silicone implants should plan to have an MRI at least every three years following the procedure to make sure the shell remains intact—as the rupture of a silicone implant can lead to health problems.

Preminger Plastic Surgery offers the latest advances in breast implant options

Your Manhattan plastic surgeon operates a state-of-the-art practice featuring new treatment options like Gummy Bear implants, the most recent type of implants available. These implants are made with a form-stable type of silicone and are considered by many to be the most natural-looking and natural-feeling type of breast implant currently on the market.

These implants are made with a high-strength gel that will defy normal gravitational forces, and they are designed in a teardrop shape that mimics the shape of natural breasts. Research studies have shown these implants are less likely to ripple or leak; the risk of capsule contracture or re-operation also is diminished.

Natural-looking breast implants in Manhattan

We hope this information aids you as you educate yourself on the different types of breast implants that are available in New York City. When you begin to search for a plastic surgeon, remember that breast augmentation is one of the specialties of Dr. B. Aviva Preminger. Ready to schedule your consultation? Just call our office at (866) 201-9828.

Located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, Preminger Plastic Surgery is proud to offer world-class services in plastic surgery.