The Miraculous Saline Breast Implant
Saline breast implants are considered the safest implant choice available today. However, despite all of the safety benefits of saline implants, many women still choose silicone gel implants instead.
This article will discuss why saline implants are considered the safest implants available for breast augmentation. There is any number of reasons, including being the easiest and safest to replace in case of a rupture or leak.
Saline implants contain a saltwater saline solution as their main fill ingredient. This saline solution is harmless if introduced to the body. Any leaks in the implant simply release the solution into the bloodstream. It is then processed by the body and passed out harmlessly through urination. The advent of saltwater solution as a filler for implants was revolutionary and solved many of the problems originally associated with silicone gel implants. French surgeon H.R. Arion, introduced the concept of saltwater filler to the world in 1965.
In the case of an implant break or rupture, saline implants deflate rapidly, generally within 48 hours, making the problem detectable immediately. Silicone gel implants, however, can leak silicone gradually into the body for many years before a leak is detected. It is still unknown whether silicone gel is safe for the human body. The topic has been the center of intense study by the FDA (and public controversy) for over 50 years.
A possible side effect of implants is capsular contracture, a condition wherein the body forms scar tissue around the implant. The body attempts to reject the implant because it is trying to protect the body. In some severe cases, scar tissue can tighten around the implant, the resulting pressure causing severe pain in the individual. Scarring can also cause the implants to distort, creating ill formed or lopsided breasts. There is no fix for this condition, with the only solution being the removal of the implant. Capsular contracture is experienced less frequently by those with saline implants than by those who choose silicone gel implants. This is just another one of the safety benefits offered by saline implants.
There has only been one major change to the production of saline implants in recent times. Modern saline implants have a room temperature vulcanized shell (RTV) that is stronger than the original shell designs, thus making them less prone to ruptures.
Cost is another benefit of saline implants. Saline costs considerably less than silicone gel implants. The difference in price is most likely due to two factors: saline implants contain saltwater as filler which is extremely cost effective compared to silicone gel, and saline breast implants effectively bypassed the expensive FDA clinical trials that silicone gel implant manufacturers had to endure. For fourteen years, the FDA had a ban on silicone gel implants. This has undoubtedly added to the production costs for the manufacturers of silicone gel implants.
The only drawback to saline breast implants is the feel of the implant itself. Many people complain that the final product does not feel like natural breast tissue when handled. Older saline implant designs may have been admittedly less than ideal in feel, but new saline implant designs are not so flawed. Unfortunately, this perception remains, and silicone gel implants are the leading choice for breast augmentation in the United States.
If you are seriously considering breast augmentation surgery, you should speak to a licensed and board certified plastic surgeon for more information. The information you find online should never be interpreted as medical advice. Only a licensed physician is qualified to assist you with your health related decisions.
This article will discuss why saline implants are considered the safest implants available for breast augmentation. There is any number of reasons, including being the easiest and safest to replace in case of a rupture or leak.
Saline implants contain a saltwater saline solution as their main fill ingredient. This saline solution is harmless if introduced to the body. Any leaks in the implant simply release the solution into the bloodstream. It is then processed by the body and passed out harmlessly through urination. The advent of saltwater solution as a filler for implants was revolutionary and solved many of the problems originally associated with silicone gel implants. French surgeon H.R. Arion, introduced the concept of saltwater filler to the world in 1965.
In the case of an implant break or rupture, saline implants deflate rapidly, generally within 48 hours, making the problem detectable immediately. Silicone gel implants, however, can leak silicone gradually into the body for many years before a leak is detected. It is still unknown whether silicone gel is safe for the human body. The topic has been the center of intense study by the FDA (and public controversy) for over 50 years.
A possible side effect of implants is capsular contracture, a condition wherein the body forms scar tissue around the implant. The body attempts to reject the implant because it is trying to protect the body. In some severe cases, scar tissue can tighten around the implant, the resulting pressure causing severe pain in the individual. Scarring can also cause the implants to distort, creating ill formed or lopsided breasts. There is no fix for this condition, with the only solution being the removal of the implant. Capsular contracture is experienced less frequently by those with saline implants than by those who choose silicone gel implants. This is just another one of the safety benefits offered by saline implants.
There has only been one major change to the production of saline implants in recent times. Modern saline implants have a room temperature vulcanized shell (RTV) that is stronger than the original shell designs, thus making them less prone to ruptures.
Cost is another benefit of saline implants. Saline costs considerably less than silicone gel implants. The difference in price is most likely due to two factors: saline implants contain saltwater as filler which is extremely cost effective compared to silicone gel, and saline breast implants effectively bypassed the expensive FDA clinical trials that silicone gel implant manufacturers had to endure. For fourteen years, the FDA had a ban on silicone gel implants. This has undoubtedly added to the production costs for the manufacturers of silicone gel implants.
The only drawback to saline breast implants is the feel of the implant itself. Many people complain that the final product does not feel like natural breast tissue when handled. Older saline implant designs may have been admittedly less than ideal in feel, but new saline implant designs are not so flawed. Unfortunately, this perception remains, and silicone gel implants are the leading choice for breast augmentation in the United States.
If you are seriously considering breast augmentation surgery, you should speak to a licensed and board certified plastic surgeon for more information. The information you find online should never be interpreted as medical advice. Only a licensed physician is qualified to assist you with your health related decisions.