Saline vs Silicone Implants

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tamarakay
tamarakay Member Posts: 5
edited November 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

I had a double mastectomy on Sept. 30th and am currently still getting my tissue expanders filled. I have been researching saline and silicone implants and I'm still not sure which implant I'm going to get. Right now I am leaning toward saline implants mainly because I don't want the worry of possible implant leaks. With saline the breast will be deflated I've read. I do exercise (aerobics and strength training) so I am also concerned about comfort with planks, pushups and dance aerobics. Any input on this would be appreciated! Thanks

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  • kfinnigan
    kfinnigan Member Posts: 1,729
    edited November 2015

    I opted for silicone after a friend said she didn't like her saline implants at all, too firm. Silicone is much softer.

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  • IrishEyes39
    IrishEyes39 Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2015

    I've felt both on friends... silicone after a double mastectomy and both types as normal implants (standard "boob job") and the silicone felt more natural, in my opinion. The saline was harder and less smushable, if that is a word LOL.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited November 2015

    I felt both, outside the body, before my bmx. Yes, any implant can leak/rupture, but that is rare. If the silicone ruptures, it doesn't run out like in the past. It is a cohesive gel. I thought the silicone felt more natural andwere lighter than the equivalent size saline. Does your ps have implants you can feel? My younger dd went to the ps appointment with me and we had a good giggle feeling up the implants. It was a nice, light moment in the thick of a bc dx.

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  • GG27
    GG27 Member Posts: 2,128
    edited November 2015

    My PS usually only uses silicone, they are a cohesive gel, no way to leak anymore.

    My neighbour has saline implants & has had a rupture two different times. Not a problem with the saline in the body, but she had to wait a couple of weeks to get in for surgery to replace them.

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  • grammakathy
    grammakathy Member Posts: 407
    edited November 2015

    Definitely ask to feel the samples at your PS office. Right before my exchange I was wavering between saline rounds, silicone rounds and cohesive gel shaped implants. My PS and I went through all the issues with each but it was actually feeling the samples that enabled me to make a decision. I also asked my BS about whether he had removed any ruptured silicone implants. He said that he had only removed one in the last five years, and it was the old style that was placed before they were removed from the market for more testing. He said the new ones don't leak like that, even if they aren't cohesive gel ones that are shaped.

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  • tamarakay
    tamarakay Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2015

    My PS did explain that the silicone now is not as messy as the old silicone. He said as a resident he has to clean up silicone implants that had leaked and it was a mess. I don't like how hard these expanders feel and I understand that implants are not as rigid so having something more softer is definitely something to consider. Thanks!

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  • tamarakay
    tamarakay Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2015

    So I'm seeing that saline implants aren't as optimal as I thought. Thanks for your input!

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  • tamarakay
    tamarakay Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2015

    Thanks for this information. I know implants are more comfortable than these expanders but I also don't want to regret my decision. I don't care if I have rippling in the skin like saline implants might do but I do prefer comfort, these expanders are rock hard. Thanks again :)

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  • calidancer
    calidancer Member Posts: 88
    edited November 2015

    I had adjustable saline implants above the muscle as tissue expanders. A month ago did the exchange to silicone. The silicone implants feel firmer to me. The saline was sloshy. Like if you went over a bump in the car you could feel the fluid move. Partly that might have been because the implant wasn't totally filled.

    As for exercises the issue seems to be in having them behind your pectoral muscle, but there are very few PS 's who will put them in front like mine did. There are some tradeoffs - - including more rippling. There are a few threads here about athletes and implants you may want to check out. I think for regular exercising most women don't seem to have trouble with their implants.

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  • tamarakay
    tamarakay Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2015

    Thanks. My implants will be behind the muscle so not sure the sloshing of the saline will be a factor though that was something I was initially considered about.

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  • Amstar15
    Amstar15 Member Posts: 41
    edited November 2015

    think of the new style silicone implants as gummy bears... well at least that's how they were described to us. When/IF the silicone implant does rupture, leaks, etc it no longer "leaks". the material inside is more like that of a gummy bear.. it will stick together and not move through out your body if that makes sense

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited November 2015

    Even the silicone implants that are not "gummie bears", which were approved about 3 years ago (approx.) , are cohesive gels.

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