Questions about Saline Breast Implants

Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona

What are the advantages of saline implants?

Saline breast implants were approved by the FDA in May 2000. Because they have been in use longer than silicone implants, some patients feel more comfortable selecting saline implants for their breast augmentation. For very large augmentations, saline implants may allow for a smaller incision, although new technology now enables us to place a moderately large silicone gel implant through the same incision used for saline implants.  After the implants are inside of your body, they are filled with a salt-water solution, giving Dr. Angelchik precise control over the size of your breasts and your final results. In the event of a rupture, the saline will be harmlessly absorbed into your body.

What are the disadvantages of saline implants?

If a woman does not have much breast tissue, saline implants can potentially cause unwanted aesthetic side effects, such as rippling which is visible and/or can be felt. Additionally, the liquid nature of saline makes the implants feel noticeably different and more obvious to the touch. However, both of these issues can be reduced significantly by placing the implants behind the chest muscles (the subpectoral placement method).

Can saline implants develop mold or fungus?

It is extremely rare for mold or fungus to grow inside of saline implants. On the rare occasions when this has been reported, the contamination was the result of other substances (such as dextrose) being allowed into the salt-water-based fill solution. Dr. Angelchik is very careful to only fill implants with a pure saline solution.

What are the chances of capsular contracture with saline implants?

When a foreign object is placed inside your body, the body’s natural response is to form a fibrous lining of tissue around the object. In most cases, this pocket (or “capsule”) of tissue will remain open, allowing your implants to look and feel natural. Unfortunately, in some situations the capsule will close and tighten, squeezing the implant and distorting the appearance of your breast. This complication is termed a capsular contracture.

Saline implants typically come into less contact with your skin while being placed, meaning there is less of a chance they will be contaminated with bacteria, which can contribute to capsular contracture. Historically, capsular contracture occurs much less with saline implants than with silicone implants; however, better shell technology in the latest generation of silicone implants has reduced the rate of capsular contracture to a comparable rate to that of saline implants in studies out to 7 years post-operatively.

If you have more questions about saline breast implants, please contact us today to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Angelchik. Our practice serves patients in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale areas of Arizona.