Buffalo Breast Implants: Saline vs Silicone Gel

BUFFALO, NY - One of the most difficult decisions a perspective breast enlargement patient needs to make is which breast implant is more suited for her lifestyle. Each has certain beneficial characteristics that make them attractive. There is really no right or wrong answer both will make you extremely happy.

SALINE IMPLANTS

Saline breast implants will create a breast that is rounder in appearance, firmer to the feel and will become more palpable over time. To give a more natural result with saline breast implants, I prefer to place the saline implants under the muscle. The muscle will act as an extra layer of tissue to help camouflage the implant thereby giving it a more natural result. The submuscular positioning will help prevent rippling from occurring in the cleavage area. In this location the implant will only become palpable on the sides and underneath the breast.

Probably, one of the nicest aspects of using a saline implant is when they become defective. What really happens when a breast implant becomes defective? Most commonly, the shell of the breast implant will develop a hole or tear allowing the fluid to escape. Less commonly there is a faulty valve mechanism. The valve is the area where the breast implant is filled. Fortunately, the saline within the implant is sterile and harmless. It is absorbed by the body and poses no health risks. The diagnosis of a deflating implant is easy to make. The patient will gradually notice her breast becoming smaller in size. Once the diagnosis is made, the treatment is a simple exchange with a new implant through the original incision.

SILICONE GEL IMPLANTS

Silicone Gel implants are more natural. They feel more like breast tissue. Their shape and consistency is similar to a woman's own breast. Although they can develop palpability, it is less common over time. The FDA, after an exhaustive investigation, found gel implants to be safe. Silicone gel breast implants were released by the FDA for use for breast augmentation or reconstruction on November 17, 2006.

The main concern with gel implants is knowing when they have become defective. The gel is so cohesive that there may be no change in size, shape, appearance and feel. The FDA has recommended that women who have gel implants consider having a MRI done after 3 years and then every 2 years to monitor the integrity of the implant shell. They have even gone so far as to recommend replacing gel implants every 10 years. Replacing gel implants every 10 years before they rupture is a wonderful idea. However,replacement of an intact Silicone gel breast implant is not covered under the manufacturers warranty or by health insurance; therefore, all the costs would be the patient's responsibility.

SALINE IMPLANTS VS GEL IMPLANTS

Are you still undecided? See if this helps. A breast implant is mainly designed to enhance what breast tissue you have. If there is very little breast tissue to enhance then your breast will be mainly made up of the implant. In this set of circumstances the most natural implant would be the best choice.

So here are my recommendations:

• If you are an A cup or small B cup and desire to be a C cup size or larger then gel implants are a better choice for you. This will give you a breast that is more natural in shape and feel.


• If you have a fair amount of breast tissue, let's say a B cup or larger, you can achieve a very natural result with saline implants placed underneath the muscle.


• If you prefer to have your implants placed underneath the breast tissue, I would only recommend using a gel implant. Whether a gel implant can be placed under the breast tissue is dependent upon the amount of soft tissue coverage.


• The general rule is that you must be able to pinch an inch of breast tissue in the upper pole (aspect) to place a gel implant under the tissue otherwise you will be at risk for visibility of the implant or rippling.

In summary, the less breast tissue you have the more you will benefit from a Silicone gel breast implant to provide you with a natural looking and feeling, soft, surgically enhanced breast.

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