saline versus silicon?

Hi, fallenmirage - so sorry about your dx, but glad you found this forum.

I'm kind of in the minority here. I have saline implants, only because that's all my PS offers. They are 700ccs, which sounds large, but they are soft, squishy, and look really perky compared to the Original Girls. Women needing very large implants usually choose saline as they can be filled larger than available silicone implants.

The nice thing about saline is that the incision is very small when they are placed. They are inserted deflated, and the PS injects them with saline to the exact size he or she wants so that both sides match. It's not a matter of choosing a larger or smaller implant.

Not sure what you mean about less scar tissue, as that's always a possibility after any breast surgery. Yes, if there is a leak, it is sterile saline that your body will absorb very quickly. And no, you do not need an MRI to check for leaks... if one has a leak, you'll find out pretty fast!

Not sure the Exchange surgery will take less time... just depends on how your PS rolls in the OR.

I can't tell you if the silicone implant feels more natural, but I can tell you that DH says mine feel real, so he's a happy camper.

You mentioned "no ripples" as a benefit of silicone, but truthfully, ripples can happen in any implant. I actually have no ripples, but have seen many pics of women with silicone implants with significant rippling. 

Getting the proper size from the get-go (TEs) will go a long way to preventing this. It also depends on the thickness of your skin. Thin skin tends to show more rippling, and certain styles of silicone implants tend to ripple more.

The other thing I like about my salines is that they are always warm. I've heard ladies with silicone say they are cold.

HOWEVER - for everything I like about saline, I think that the majority of women here have silicone, and are very pleased with them!

AND - there is a much wider range of manufacturers, models, and styles of silicone implants.

Hoping more members come along soon with their comments...

Wishing you the best with your surgery and recovery!

I have had both. Saline for 9 years after BMX, then an exchange to Silicone. Personally I really didn't like the saline, but that's all that was offered back in 2000. I was told that the life expectancy of the salines was about 10-12 years for the ones I had, so rather than wait for an implant failure, I had an exchange to silicone gummies. I like the silicone much better, I think they look and feel better than my saline ones did. The exchange was no big deal even though I had some revisions done to the one pockets. I took a week off from work and the scars healed up very well. In the end only you can make the right decision for you.

I had bmx on June 12, with immediate reconstruction, direct to implants.  Mine are saline, the adjustable type, teardrop shape, and they look great so far, and feel natural.  Was a C cup before the bmx.  Pretty much a fuller C now.  Not as supple as the natural breast, but they're not as hard/firm as a thought they would be.   Hubby is very pleased.  I still have the fill ports in.  They're not noticeable, as they are just below the breasts right in the fold.  I wouldn't know they're there, except I can actually feel them if I trace the area with my finger.  Due to go to PS for another check-up and possibly another fill after 3 months, giving everything time to settle down.  After the next one or two fills, that'll probably do it.