What Type Of Breast Implants Are Best?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have been wanting breast implants for a long time and have been researching a lot of doctors and implants. I would like to speak about the augmentation with you. I have has one consult last year and I really liked the doctor but he only did saline implants and I think I am leaning more towards silicone implants but would like to discuss both with a doctor that does both.

A: Saline and silicone filled implants are both FDA-approved options for breast augmentation. They do share certain similarities, they both create equally effective enlargements of the breasts and are equally safe. Looking at augmented breasts from the outside, it would be impossible to tell what type of breast implants was used. But beyond their external appearance, they do have several very distinct differences. Saline implants are associated eventually with palpable and visible ripples on the bottom and sides of the breasts which does not occur with silicone implants. Most women will say that silicone implants feel more natural as a gel-filled implant feels better than a bag of water. A dramatic difference between the two is in how hey will eventually fail. (they will not last a lifetime and will eventually need to be replaced) Saline implants fail by a dramatic loss of fullness like like that of a flat tire. Silicone implants never lose volume because the gel does not act like a liquid (like a gummy bear candy) and just stays in place and with same volume even if the bag sustains a tear or a hole. For this reason alone, silicone breast implants last longer than saline implants.

The concise version of this story is that there is one and only one reason to ever get saline breast implants….cost. They are the most economic form of breast augmentation because a pair of saline implants costs less to buy than a pair of silicone implants from the manufacturer.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana