Key Takeaways
- NOVA recommends silicone over saline implants because silicone gel more closely resembles the texture and feel of natural human fat tissue.
- In 2006, the FDA ruled there is no link between silicone implants and illness and approved them as safe for cosmetic use in patients 22 and older.
- Unlike saline ruptures, silicone implant ruptures are often silent and are typically detected only through MRI rather than visible breast size change.
- Silicone implants carry the same risks as saline implants including capsular contracture, wrinkling, and rupture.
- Choosing a board-certified surgeon and following post-operative instructions carefully reduces the risk of complications significantly.
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures, with hundreds of thousands being performed every year. When you have a breast augmentation, you have your choice of saline or silicone implants. Saline implants are filled with saline water, and silicone implants are filled with a silicone gel. In general, we recommend silicone over saline implants because silicone has a more natural look and feel (it resembles to texture of natural human fat). The number one concern for many patients getting a breast reduction is: are the implants safe?
Silicone implants first entered the plastic surgery market in the 1960s, and while there were some questions about silicone implant safety during the 1980s, in 2006 the FDA ruled that there was no link between silicone implants and illness and deemed them safe for cosmetic use.
If a silicone implant ruptures, you probably wont notice immediately. Unlike saline (which is absorbed into the body when it ruptures), saline isnt absorbed by the body. If your implant ruptures, it will probably be detected with an MRI and will require surgical removal.
There has also been concern expressed about platinum content of silicone breast implants- the FDA and scientific community hasnt found any evidence that the platinum is in any way harmful. The FDA has approved the use of silicone breast implants in patients age 22 or older for cosmetic reasons, and women of any age for reconstruction after breast cancer.
Silicone implants come with the same safety risks as saline implants: there is a risk of hardening around the implant (capsular contracture), implant rupturing, and wrinkling or other cosmetic issues. The risk of experiencing these complications are lessened by using a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who is trained in the most up-to-date safety procedures and techniques. Following your post-operative instructions very carefully will also reduce the risk of complications.
As with any surgery, there are risks involved with getting silicone implants; however, those risks arent greater than any other type of implant. If you have any questions about the safety of silicone implants, or would like to schedule a consultation for breast augmentation in Northern Virginia, please call our offices at (703) 574-2588.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are silicone breast implants safe?
Yes. The FDA ruled in 2006 that there is no link between silicone implants and systemic illness or autoimmune conditions. Silicone implants are FDA-approved for cosmetic use in patients 22 and older, and research has found no evidence that the trace platinum content in silicone implants is harmful in any way.
How is a silicone implant rupture detected?
Unlike saline, silicone gel does not get absorbed by the body when an implant ruptures, so the breast size typically does not change noticeably. This is called a silent rupture. The FDA recommends that patients with silicone implants have periodic MRI screenings to detect any silent ruptures that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Why does NOVA generally recommend silicone over saline implants?
Silicone gel has a texture and feel that more closely resembles natural human fat and breast tissue compared to saline solution. This gives silicone implants a more natural appearance and tactile quality, particularly in patients with less natural breast tissue to cover the implant.
What age requirement exists for silicone implants?
The FDA has approved the use of silicone breast implants for cosmetic purposes in patients who are 22 years of age or older. For breast reconstruction following mastectomy or other medical indications, silicone implants may be used in women of any age as approved by the treating surgeon.
What risks are associated with silicone implants?
Silicone implants carry the same general risks as saline implants, including capsular contracture, implant rupture, wrinkling, and the need for potential revision surgery over time. These risks are minimized by choosing an experienced board-certified surgeon and following all pre- and post-operative instructions.