Benefits of Removing and Replacing Saline Breast Implants with Gel Implants
Silicone breast implants for breast augmentation got a bad rap for many years until 2006 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two brands of silicone gel implants, Inamed Silicone-Filled Breast Implants® made by Allergan, Inc., and MemoryGel™ Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants made by Mentor. Since that time the silicone gel implants have won the favor of many women for many reasons. Because of the striking benefits of removing and replacing saline implants with silicone gel implants, many women have their original saline implants replaced.
It is important to emphasize that in contrast to the fears that arose in the 1990s, silicone gel implants are not toxic to humans, and do not destroy the immune system. This is true of both the casing and the gel that fills them. In fact, saline implants are encased in a silicone casing, which has no problems associated with it.
Benefits of Silicone Gel Implants
High cohesive silicone gel implants offer several advantages over saline implants:
• The rippling and wrinkling that can occur with saline implants is not as likely to occur with silicone gel implants. Many women have their implants replaced with gel to eliminate ripples or wrinkles that marred their original results.
• Gel implants look and feel more natural than saline implants.
• Women with less breast tissue claim better results and shapelier breasts with silicone gel implants than with saline implants.
• Very thin women may find that gel's more natural look and feel gives better results than saline.
• Gel implants weigh less than saline implants.
• Should the gel implant rupture, the cohesive gel will not lose its shape. Saline leaking from its silicone casing will be absorbed by the body leaving a deflated implant and obvious difference in shape between the two breasts.
Making Your Decision
Ultimately, your decision should be made after discussing the pros and cons of both saline and silicone gel implants with your cosmetic surgeon, and looking over a wide assortment of photos. You will need to consider the characteristics of your body, and which type of implant is most likely to give you the results you want.
It is important to emphasize that in contrast to the fears that arose in the 1990s, silicone gel implants are not toxic to humans, and do not destroy the immune system. This is true of both the casing and the gel that fills them. In fact, saline implants are encased in a silicone casing, which has no problems associated with it.
Benefits of Silicone Gel Implants
High cohesive silicone gel implants offer several advantages over saline implants:
• The rippling and wrinkling that can occur with saline implants is not as likely to occur with silicone gel implants. Many women have their implants replaced with gel to eliminate ripples or wrinkles that marred their original results.
• Gel implants look and feel more natural than saline implants.
• Women with less breast tissue claim better results and shapelier breasts with silicone gel implants than with saline implants.
• Very thin women may find that gel's more natural look and feel gives better results than saline.
• Gel implants weigh less than saline implants.
• Should the gel implant rupture, the cohesive gel will not lose its shape. Saline leaking from its silicone casing will be absorbed by the body leaving a deflated implant and obvious difference in shape between the two breasts.
Making Your Decision
Ultimately, your decision should be made after discussing the pros and cons of both saline and silicone gel implants with your cosmetic surgeon, and looking over a wide assortment of photos. You will need to consider the characteristics of your body, and which type of implant is most likely to give you the results you want.