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Breast Implant Options
By Dr. R. Jarial | August 16, 2009
Silicone breast implants were released by the FDA for cosmetic use in 2006. Both types of implants have a silicone shell; the difference is what is inside the implant.
An implant filled with silicone gel is more expensive but feels more natural. A implant filled with saline will naturally feel different compared to a silicone gel implant
Two advantages of saline are 1.) smaller surgical incisions, because the implant goes in empty and then gets filled, and an easy way to tell if something needs to be modified at the time of surgery.
And 2.) If a saline implant ruptures, you know right away because it deflates. The saline will be absorbed by the body. With silicone, you might not even know because the gel holds its shape. The silicone gel will not get absorbed by the body.
In order to detect ruptures, Mentor Corporation and Allergan, manufacturers of FDA-approved implants, recommend that women who opt for silicone gel have an MRI every two years, starting three years after the initial surgery.
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