The Battle Between Saline and Silicone Breast Implants
A lot of women are unsatisfied with the shape and size of their breasts. Because of this, more and more women decide to go under the knife for the cosmetic surgery procedure known as breast augmentation surgery. In some cases, women opt for the procedure for reconstructive procedure such as post-mastectomy patients.
Breast augmentation surgery begins with a tiny incision. A breast implant is then inserted into the strategically placed cut. The implant may be positioned below or above the muscle of the breast depending of the shape and size desired by the patient. More often than not, women who have opted to have their breasts augmented are very satisfied with their fuller and shapelier breasts.
Still, one question continues to confuse women who are considering breast augmentation surgery as a solution for their dilemma. The query involves the choice of breast implants, whether to opt for saline filled or silicone gel-filled implants. Both varieties of breast implants possess a silicone shell. The difference lies in the content of the silicone shell.
A lot of cosmetic surgeons have a preference for silicone implants due to the notion that they look more natural, feel suppler, and are more comparable to the natural tissue of the breast. On the other hand, some surgeons prefer saline filled implants because they perceive the variety as a safer choice.
Silicone Gel-Filled Implants
Despite numerous reports connecting silicone gel implants and the increased risk for connective tissue disorders and cancer, no linkage have been established between the particular type of implant and the diseases. The Food and Drug Administration or the FDA even issued an approval for a newer variety of silicone gel-filled implant. The seal of approval was granted in November of 2006 to Allergan and
Mentor for their latest innovations on silicone gel-filled breast implants. The implants passed the standards for breast augmentation in women between the ages of 22 and older, as well as for breast reconstruction surgery in women of all ages.
A probable disadvantage of silicone gel-filled implants is difficult-to-detect fissures. Compared to the saline filled implants that have the propensity to simply flatten as the saline spills out into the body tissues, the earlier versions of silicone gel have the tendency to seep out through a rupture without becoming flattened. However, the newer variety of silicone gel-filled implant is designed to stay intact even if there is any break in the silicone shell. Thus, the silicone gel stays inside and is prevented from leaking through the fissure.
Saline Filled Implants
The popular alternative for silicone gel-filled implants is saline filled implants. Saline implants contain salt water instead of a gel. These days, the newer version of saline implants known as high profile saline filled implants are available in the market. This type of breast implant is designed to provide better volume and enhanced projection of the breasts.
Potential patients who have decided to go under the knife usually have the chance to talk about all the options with their cosmetic surgeon during the preliminary consultation. Cosmetic surgeons provide information about particular breast implants that would best suit the needs and desires of the patient. Question may also be raised during the discussion and the surgeons are usually more than happy to answer any inquiries about the cosmetic surgery procedure. The initial consultation is necessary since it is aimed at making the patient feel more comfortable with the surgeon, as well the breast augmentation surgery itself. The battle between saline filled implants and silicone gel-filled implants is usually concluded during the initial consultation wherein the patient would decide whether to choose one type of breast implant over the other. Needless to say, the decision is usually guided by the expertise and knowledge of the cosmetic surgeon. The needs and desires of the patients are also considered as factors surrounding the decision-making process.
Another question still remains though involving the risks that one would embrace when opting for breast augmentation surgery. The type of breast implants is only part of a bigger picture in breast augmentation surgery. Women who want to lower the risks of the cosmetic surgery procedure should opt for a highly-skilled cosmetic surgeon. In the cosmetic surgery industry, the cost of a procedure is usually inversely proportional to the risks involved.
The best bet would be to opt for not-so-cheap implants, whether it is silicone gel-filled or saline filled, and to choose a respectable and highly-skilled surgeon that would perform the cosmetic surgery procedure.
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