Implant Choices
All implants used for breast augmentation have an envelope made of a solid but very flexible form of silicone. It has very little reaction with the surrounding tissues in the breast and is very long lasting. The surface of the implant is either smooth or textured. Although the envelope of some older implants allowed silicone gel to slowly leak through over many years, new implants do not and are considered very safe.
All implants are filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water).
Silicone Implants
Approximately 90 to 99% of women in Canada who have breast augmentation choose silicone gel implants. These implants come "ready made" and are filled with a thick silicone gel which has a soft, "gooey" feel. Implants differ in their volume, diameter, projection, shape (round or tear-dropped) and consistency of the silicone gel within them.
Saline Implants
These implants are filled with saline - the same type of salt water used in regular intravenous solutions in the hospital. These implants come empty and are filled during the augmentation procedure. Saline implants must be filled to a specified volume to prevent wrinkles and folds from being seen or felt following surgery. Once the implant is filled, the filling tube is removed and a special valve or plug ensures the implant does not leak. Saline implants have tendency to feel fuller, more rounded and not as soft as when silicone implants are used.
Once you understand the characteristics of each, you will decide what type of implant we use for your augmentation procedure. Both silicone and saline implants are safe and reliable and can give you very natural looking breasts. So which implants are best suited for your augmentation? Don't worry, I'll do my best to help you understand all the variables before making your choice.
To learn more about which implant is right for you please set up a consultation with Dr. Zelt.
