Saline implants were once the most popular requested implant in the United States. The primary reason for their current popularity decline is because the more controversial implant, silicone gel, is now available for unrestricted use in breast augmentation surgery.
For fourteen years, saline breast implants enjoyed a monopoly in the United States breast augmentation industry. Although this was a highly profitable situation for the saline breast implant manufacturers, it wasn't exactly an optimal situation for women because they only had one choice for their breast augmentation procedure. Thankfully, the FDA finally approved silicone gel implants for unrestricted use. That ruling has resulted in a steady decline of women requesting the saline breast implant for their breast augmentation surgery.
Saline implants were primarily developed to alleviate two common flaws of the silicone gel implant: large scarring and breast implant leakage.
When a silicone gel implant ruptures, it is almost impossible to detect without the aid of an MRI. Because the silicone gel has a thick consistency, a ruptured implant can leak silicone gel into the woman's body for years before it deflates enough to be visually noticeable. This is obviously not in the best interest of the woman's health. Not too mention, the additional cost of an MRI adds substantial overall cost for any woman who chooses silicone gel implants for her breast augmentation procedure.
Saline implants were developed with a saline solution in mind for their filler. This saline solution is basically a saltwater mix – it is virtually harmless to the human body. A ruptured saline implant poses almost no risk to a woman's health, at least in regard to the filler leaking into her body. Furthermore, because it is a saltwater solution and has the same consistency as water, the implant will deflate very quickly. This allows for very quick detection and the woman can contact her breast augmentation surgeon almost immediately after rupture to discuss corrective solutions.
Perhaps the worst attribute of a saline breast implant is how they feel in a person's hand. Men and women both agree that saline breast implants do not feel like a real breast nor do they move like a real breast. Despite the obvious safety benefits associated with saline breast implants, the fact that they do not feel or move like a real breast is their greatest downfall and is the primary reason for their rapid decline in popularity. It just goes to show that safety is not the number one concern when it comes to undergoing surgery to aesthetically improve your body!
Rippling and wrinkling are two additional concerns that every women should learn about before choosing saline implants. Although it is far more uncommon nowadays, saline implants are believed to be more prone to rippling and wrinkling, which is very unsightly should it occur – not only does the surface area of the implant ripple, but so does the surface skin of the woman's breast!
Would you like to learn about the latest advancements in saline breast implants? While the internet is probably going to be your first option for research, the reality is you should speak directly with a licensed, practicing plastic surgeon who specializes in breast augmentation surgery.
It is not the intention of this article to provide medical advice for your health-related and plastic surgery related questions. When it comes to your health, please only seek guidance from a licensed, practicing physician!
The Shape And Texture Of Cohesive Gel Implants
Textured implants are believed to be more resistant to implant rotation post surgery. Because of this fact, all cohesive gel implants have a textured surface.
Breast Implants - Rupture And Leakage
The FDA once banned silicone gel implants for use in breast augmentation surgery. This ban lasted fourteen years. They were primarily concerned with two things: rupture and leakage.
The Three Types Of Breast Implants That Are Currently Available In The United States
The FDA has approved two breast implants for public use: silicone gel and saline. There is now a third implant available to a small percentage of augmentation patients: cohesive gel implants.
