Dr. Bray's Plastic Surgery Blog

Choices do exist when it comes to breast augmentation. The primary options involve saline versus silicone implants

Saline implants

Two saline implants are on the market. The first is a fixed volume implant that is full of the complete saline content when it is implanted. The other is an adjustable volume implant that can be filled during the implant procedure, and its volume can be adjusted after the operation is complete. They come in sizes from about 100 cubic centimeters (cc, about three ounces) to about 800 cc. They can have smooth or textured shells, and they come in three different profiles. The higher the profile, the more the implant projects from the chest in relation to volume. Higher profile implants can help women with narrow chests achieve the results they are looking for.

Silicone implants

Silicone implants have the same options for surfaces, profiles, shapes, volumes, and thicknesses as saline implants. Sometimes, a silicone implant is even encased in a saline implant. Silicone gel-filled implants cannot increase and decrease in volume. In the1990's, connective tissue diseases were thought to be brought about by silicone breast implants in some recipients. This link has for the most part been discredited, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to collect data.

Advantages of Each


Some surgeons feel that silicone implants are more natural than saline. In fact, women seeking breast augmentation worldwide choose silicone implants 90 % of the time. Saline implants also have a few benefits. If a silicone implant ruptures, ruptures are harder to locate. If saline implants rupture, the implant deflates. If a silicone implant ruptures, the breast is unchanged—even with silicone leaking into tissue because the majority of silicone stays in the capsule the body forms around the implant. Replacing a silicone implant is also more complex than fixing a leaky saline implant.

If you are considering breast augmentation, please contact the office of Dr. David Bray at 310-534-8300 to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we may assist you.