anyone choose saline over silicon?

hzzr · May 2014

I have exchange surgery for the right side this summer and have to choose the type of implant I want. I wanted tissue reconstruction originally but was not a candidate. I'd like to avoid silicon but my PS has never put in a saline implant - that's how rare they are chosen these days. And salines are round whereas silicon can be tear shaped. (I am aware that saline is enclosed by a silicon bag so you don't avoid it altog).

Just curious if anyone has chosen saline? I'd love to hear why and what you think of it.

hzzr · May 2014

Anyone? I have to make a decision soon...

HomeMom · May 2014

I'm obviously not in the same place you are yet, but I did get implants ten years ago and had saline. I'm going to look at the silicone more closely. Saline does tend to slosh around at times. I just need to know which one is heavier.

AmyQ · May 2014

Hi hzzr, I started with saline but it was extremely uncomfortable and probably too big so i can't attribute the discomfort to saline per se. I switched 4 months later to smaller silicone so I may not be the best judge picking saline over silicone. All I know is the silicone is more comfortable. But again is this due to the smaller size or different implant. I can't say.

They both look the same - round and not tear drop like. Good luck.

Amy

christmasgirl1960 · May 2014

Hi hzzr: I have had two sets of saline implants. The first set was part of my immediate recon after bilateral mastectomy in June of 2012.

Long story short my surgeon's office forgot to order the implants. As I was being prepped for my surgery, they had to scramble to find saline for me and ended up putting in much bigger saline implants than I wanted (large Cs/small Ds) when I requested nothing larger than a B. I ended up with a pinched nerve and capsular contracture so I had more reconstructive surgery in December of 2013 whereby the new PS put in the saline Bs I asked for the first time. I think they are very comfortable, and I am very, very happy with my decision. I didn't like the thought of the possibility of the silicone leaking in to my body and not knowing it. Nor did I want MRIs every three years with the silicone. (I have also not noticed the sloshing as the previous poster mentioned). Feel free to contact me if I can be of further help.

odie16 · May 2014

I chose saline as well for the same reasons as christmasgirl and am very happy with them. No sloshing here either. Mine look and feel natural. Some days, I even forget they aren't the real ones!

Moonflwr912 · May 2014

hi. I have saline rounds for 2 reasons. I am a larger lady and saline goes to 900 cc. I have 750 rounds that are filled to 850. They are a C cup for me. Second reason was that I have a pacemaker and so can't do the required every 2 year MRI. So saline was my only choice for implants. I like them. I don't hear them slosh probably because they are over filled. They are comfortable for me.

Good luck. I hope the implants you choose are perfect for you..

hzzr · May 2014

Thank you very much for your responses - very helpful!

HomeMom · May 2014

There is a required MRI every two years if you choose silicone?? Ok, back to saline for me!

exbrnxgrl · May 2014

I have had silicon implants for almost 3 years, never heard mention of any MRI. Then again, I am stage IV so I have PET scans twice a year, at present. However, I was originally thought to be stage II and no mention of MRI.

DiveCat · May 2014

MRI is not really required though I see this statement get passed around a bit. My PS actually prefers to use US to check if there is a concern for rupture, as it is faster, easier, and very effective, but even then it is only if there are circumstances where a rupture might be suspected, not as a regular routine thing. With today's silicone implants ruptures are more self-contained anyway...not like old style silicone implants. Some DO get monitored after first 3 years, then on a discussed basis with MRI, but even then most recon women I know had to "request" this rather than be recommended it. Women with augmentation however may get MRI as their screening routine, since mammography is often not possible.

Even if I did have to get MRIs every 3 years or so, which like I said I don't, it beats the high risk screening I would have had to have otherwise (annual MRI, mammogram, bi-annual CBEs).

OP...I have silicone rounds. I will be honest, it was never really a debate for me. I know silicone is preferred for reconstruction (and was being used for reconstruction before they were allowed to be used again for augmentation patients) but also after researching and handling the implants myself, I knew I only wanted silicone. That being said, I know there are some who feel just the same about saline, so I wish you the best in your decision making.

Delilahbear · May 2014

I have had 750 saline high profiles which I felt were too narrow and small for my broad chest so had surgeon exchange to the mod. prof. plus round overfilled to 960. I am much happier with them. The only thing is the weight has been a bit much for my tissue and have had alloderm placed and several redos to finally attach the pockets to the ribs. I do wear a bra 24/7 for support so they don't need more surgery. I did manage to get a hole in one as the result of a fall and stitches which had recently been placed rubbing on the implant. It was exchanged in surgeon's office with no problem. I have been quite happy with the saline and that is all my plastic surgeon preferred to use. I am saddened in the fact that it appears as though the plastic surgeon is discontinuing his practice due to health problems so I am hoping my salines last a long time.

In the end it has to be what you feel you will be most comfortable with.

Sue2009 · May 2014

I chose saline, my dr assumed I wanted silicone, but I insisted on saline, happy w/my choice

Blessings2011 · May 2014

I have in 700cc high profile, smooth round saline implants. I love them. They are the perfect size for me, are ALWAYS body temperature, are soft, DH says they feel like the real thing, and I have absolutely no sloshing or even rippling.

I do have to say that my PS does not do silicone. He said that he preferred saline because it takes only a very small incision to remove or insert the implant, as it is put in deflated and inflated once it is in position. This also gives him the ability to make sure both sides are even in case of physical asymmetry.

Later, I found out that the other PS in the practice does not use silicone, either. HER reasoning is that even though silicone has come a long way from the bad old days where it was in liquid form and leaked into the body, even today's cohesive gels leak if punctured. She said that a punctured silicone implant that leaks onto a sterile towel leaves a greasy stain, and she is not comfortable about what this substance might eventually do in the body.

NOW - having said that - I think the majority of ladies here have silicone implants, are happy with them, and have had none of the problems I've described. I think their docs have assured them the implants are safe, and they have no reason to believe otherwise.

p.s. Had I gone to another PS who used silicone, I would have had to get an MRI every two years.

anyone choose saline over silicon?

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