Breast Augmentation: Silicone vs. Saline Breast Implants Cincinnati, Ohio
Silicone Gel Breast Implants & Saline Breast Implants - Cincinnati, Ohio Cincinnati Plastic Surgeon Dr. Vennemeyer is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and offers both Saline Breast Implants and Silicone Gel Breast Implants. During your Breast Augmentation consultation, Dr. Vennemeyer will listen to your aesthetic goals and discuss all of your breast implant options. Together the two of you will decide which breast implants are the best for you. What is the difference between Silicone Gel and Saline Breast Implants? Both silicone and saline implants have an outer shell made of silicone. Saline implants are filled with saline solution or 'salt water' which is naturally found in our bodies. In contrast, Silicone Gel Implants are filled with a 'cohesive' silicone gel. Silicone Gel Implants are sometimes referred to as 'gummy' implants. The Silicone Gel Implants are softer and have a more similar consistency to breast tissue than Saline Breast Implants. Do Saline Breast Implants or Silicone Breast Implants look more natural? Most patients are able to achieve a more natural appearance from Silicone Gel Implants because the silicone gel has a more similar consistency to natural breast tissue than Saline Implants. How long have Silicone Gel Breast Implants been available? Silicone Breast Implants were available for both Breast Cancer Reconstruction and Cosmetic Breast Augmentation up until the early nineties. However, unsubstantiated media hype linking Silicone Breast Implants to autoimmune diseases resulted in the FDA banning their use for primary cosmetic breast augmentations until further testing could be conducted. After fifteen years of studies, no link was found between silicone breast implants and disease. As a result, Silicone Gel Breast Implants were approved in 2006 for use in Cosmetic Breast Augmentation. Are Silicone Gel and Saline Breast Implants safe? Many studies have compared the safety of breast implants as well as the safety of silicone verses saline breast implants. Results have shown that there is no difference in cancer or any other medical disease in those with either implant compared to the non-augmented population. What complications are associated with Saline or Silicone Breast Implants? Leakage and Capsular Contracture are two of the most common possible complications associated with breast implants. Should a saline breast implant leak, your tissues would absorb the saline or 'salt water' and either overnight or over a few days you would notice that your breast appeared to be deflated. Because saline is found in your body naturally, there is no harm that results from the saline absorption. Leakage with Silicone Breast Implants is not always as obvious. Because the silicone is a 'cohesive' gel, it would leak more slowly. Over time you might begin to notice a difference in the size or shape of your breast. When this happens, the best test to confirm an implant leakage is an MRI. In either case, you would need an additional surgery to remove the leaking implant and replace it. Another possible complication with both saline and silicone implants is capsular contracture. Capsular contracture occurs when scar tissue encases the implant and the implant gets very hard. It is most likely to occur following hematomas, seromas or infection. When capsular contracture occurs, women complain of firmness in their breast, discomfort, pain and an asymmetric change in the breast's appearance. If this were to occur, you would need to undergo surgery to remove the defective implant and replace it. Silicone Gel Breast Implants vs. Saline Breast Implants: Which is better? In general, Silicone Gel Implants look and feel more natural than Saline Breast Implants. However, a slightly larger incision may be needed to place a silicone implant compared to a saline implant. During your private consultation with Plastic Surgeon Dr. Vennemeyer, he will listen to your goals and together you will decide which implant is best for you. Contact Us for a Private Consultation Today! With excellent plastic surgery financing available and easy monthly payment plans, your breast augmentation is only a phone call away! Call today to schedule your private consultation with Plastic Surgeon Dr. Vennemeyer. |
