Saline Breast Implants: Top 5 Things to Know
Saline breast implants have been the most common type of implant used in the United States since the ban on silicone implants in 1992. During this time silicone was only used for breast reconstruction and clinical studies, while saline became widely accepted. With the FDA approval of the new silicone breast implants in November 2006, there has again been an increasing trend towards the use of silicone.
There are several reasons, however, why you may still want to consider the saline implant. As you process the difference between saline and silicone, keep this list of things to know in mind:
Top 5 List of things to know about Saline Breast Implants:
1) Rupture. The top benefit women consider about saline is that upon rupture, the solution that leaks into your body is not considered toxic. The saltwater solution is similar to the fluid that makes up most of the humany body. If rupture occurs, deflation will happen rapidly due to the liquid composition.
2) Belly Button Incision. In addition to safety, women who want to opt for belly button breast augmentation will have to choose saline. In order to place the implant using the belly button method (technically known as transumbilical), your plastic surgeon uses an endoscope to slide the implant up through the inside wall of your torso. Since silicone implants cannot be filled upon insertion, the only possible method is to slide the saline implant through the endoscope and fill it with saline after it is placed. Additionally, any of the other incision types will leave a smaller scar than with silicone.
3) Rippling Effect. One of the downsides to saline is that this type of implant typcally has something of a riple effect. Most commonly this occurs in a visible manner in women who have thin skin and very little breast tissue. The wrinkling can be seen on the sides of the breasts, as well as the bottom.
4) Expense. One distinct advantage of saline is that they are as much as a thousand dollars cheaper than the silicone variety. This advantage alone has kept the popular high on this type of implant.
5) Breast Implant Size. Saline implants are infinitely variable in terms of size since the implant is actually filled after it is inserted into the body. Your plastic surgeon will place the empty implant first and then fill the implant to the size that you desire. Most doctors will actually overfill the implant which can aid with the typical pitfall of rupture.
You will, of course, want to thoroughly discuss with your doctor an appropriate breast implant size. As this is the most common reason women go back for second or third surgeries, the choice of size is too often under played. With all the same costs and risks involved in second surgeries, please take your time to thoroughly investigate this decision.
I recommend the use of breast implant sizers to help you choose your size. While it is important to see before and after photos on the internet, nothing can replace the value of actual experience on your own body of various implant sizes. The best way is to actually live with the sizer over a period of at least two weeks. Try on different sizes until you feel comfortable that you have arrived at a size that works well for you and your body.
Saline breast implants are still a popular option in breast augmentation surgery. There are, of course, benefits to all implant types. Talk with your doctor about the benefits of all and make a fully informed decision.
Ned James
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