Breast Augmentation - A Look At Silicone Implants

For a long time, silicone implants had a bad reputation in the United States. Breast augmentation surgery generally was done using saline implants following an FDA ban on silicone for most implant applications. Health concerns surrounding what happened in case of rupture drove the decision to ban the material, but upon further study, the ban was lifted in 2006. Today, silicone implants are once again the most popular choice for women looking for enhancement and they offer a number of benefits over the saline implant.

Rupture

It is likely that the first thing your mind as you consider breast augmentation is the possibility of a rupture. It should be noted that silicone implants are far less likely to rupture than their saline counterparts. In fact, it is their propensity to leak that leads many plastic surgeons to discourage the use of a saline implants in their patients. Manufacturers have worked diligently to improve the shell of the implant to prevent rupture. Having said that, while rupture is unlikely, it is a possibility that should be considered when deciding whether or not to have the surgery.

Incision Options

A plastic surgeon using silicone implants in their breast augmentation procedures will usually use one of three incision strategies to perform the operation. In some cases, the choice is left to the patient, while some surgeons have their recommended method that they use in all cases. The three methods include going through the armpit, the nipple, or beneath the breast. The silicone implant cannot be inserted through the navel, which is reason enough for some patients to choose saline.

Appearance

While appearance is often in the eye of the beholder, most people will admit that silicone implants have a more natural look than their saline counterparts. This includes reducing the "ripple effect" that is common to saline implants. Of course, not every patient is concerned with their results looking natural in the first place, so this may be as much of a drawback as a benefit, depending on the patient and their aesthetics.

Cost

Another reason many patients choose the less popular saline implant is because of the reduced cost. On average, a woman can expect to pay approximately $1,000 more for silicone implants than saline in a breast augmentation procedure. Still, when this is part of a cost that is already in the five-to-ten thousand dollar range, it is up to the patient to decide if the savings are significant enough to make a decision they otherwise wouldn't.