Bougainvillea Clinique Blog

Breast augmentation is a common solution for women discouraged by the shape or size of their breasts. It offers shapelier, fuller breasts and the opportunity for increased self-esteem. Many women, however, are confused about the differences between silicone gel and saline filled implants.

Silicone Gel Implants

• Consist of a silicone shell filled with a silicone gel. Silicone is made from silicon (spelled with no "e" at the end), which is the second most common element on Earth after oxygen. It is found in a myriad household products such as dish detergents, hand lotion, and hairspray. Our bodies have been well-exposed to it for many decades.
• Preferred by many plastic surgeons because they look and feel more like natural breast tissue.
• Regarded cautiously by some women who fear a hard-to-detect rupture may cause silicone to leak into the body.
• Researched for 14 years under the FDA after a false media panic caused the FDA to restrict their use to reconstructive procedures rather than cosmetic procedures.
• Refined and improved during those 14 years, both in the shell and the gel filler.
• Approved in 2006 by the FDA as being entirely safe for all women over 22 years of age. No connection at all was found between silicone gel implants and disease. The two approved brands were developed by manufacturers Allergan and Mentor.

Saline-Filled Implants

• Filled with the same saline solution that is commonly used throughout medical procedures. It is matched in salinity (saltiness) to the natural salinity of the human body.
• Saline easily absorbed by the body if the shell should ever rupture.
• May create a 'rippled' look on the breast surface.
• May look less natural in women with small breasts or women seeking reconstruction.

A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Jeffrey Hartog of the Bougainvillea Clinique in Orlando, Florida is the best way to determine which type of implant is right for you. During your free initial consultation, Dr. Hartog takes the time to thoroughly discuss your options, help you understand the latest information about implants, and assist you in making an informed decision about your breast augmentation surgery with. Please contact us today.