Saline and Silicone Breast Implants

When new patients of noted plastic surgeon Payam Jarrah-Nejad, M.D., F.I.C.S., F.A.C.S. come to his office interested in breast augmentation in Beverly Hills, often the very first question is “saline or silicone?” The first part of making this decision is to educate the patient on the pros and cons of both materials.

Saline solution is simply salt water so, in the event of the implant breaking, a saline implant can usually simply be absorbed by the body. However, these implants often lack the natural feel of silicone-filled implants and many patients believe that they result in a less natural feeling breast. They are also somewhat more likely to leak or wrinkle than silicone implants and can make breast x-rays (mammograms) slightly more difficult to read.

For many patients, silicone implants remain the preferred choice. These are bags of silicone gel enclosed in a thin shell that boast the softness and flexibility of a natural breast. They can be tear-drop shaped or round, textured or smooth on the surface, and filled with either soft liquid silicone or, a more solid (cohesive) silicone gel. The silicone gel filling gives a more natural feel to the reconstructed breast than saline. Although completely safe and FDA approved, if a silicone implant ruptures, however, you may need surgery to remove it.

One important note: both saline and silicone implants can produce cloudy areas on x-rays, making mammograms slightly more difficult to read. Good mammograms can still be obtained, of course, but it’s important for patient to alert medical personnel that there is an implant.

Whichever type of implant a patient selects, they can rely on Dr. J for producing the kind of results that will have them looking and feeling their very best. Also, as a leader in quick recovery breast augmentation patients can be sure that they will back in action with their improved body in the shortest time practical.

Dr. J is one of the Southern California’s best known plastic surgeons, from breast and buttock augmentation to ethnic rhinoplasty in Los Angeles, you can be sure that you will understand your procedure and ultimately enjoy the best results possible.

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