All my patients who are considering cosmetic or reconstructive breast surgery procedures that involve the placement of breast implants are given the choice of using either silicone or saline implants. This includes women contemplating a breast augmentation, breast lift with implants, breast implant exchange and breast reconstruction. During their consultations, I extensively discuss the relevant issues regarding both types of implants such as durability, aesthetics, concerns and risks and they also are able to closely examine and feel each one. Ultimately, they decide for themselves which one they want: silicone or saline.
Silicone breast implant
Virtually all of my patients ultimately select silicone implants for their procedure, whether it is for aesthetic or reconstructive reasons. The very few cosmetic patients who do choose saline implants do so because of the cost differential: they are around $1,000 less per pair. The aesthetic outcome and satisfaction of my patients from these procedures irrefutably supports the far greater superiority of silicone implants as compared to the saline ones and this is true for both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.
This preference has been borne out in the medical literature including a multicenter study just published in the November issue of “Cancer”. This study carefully examined and analyzed the responses of 672 women who had undergone post-mastectomy breast reconstruction using either saline or silicone implants at one of three major institutions in this country. The findings were statistically significant in that the level of satisfaction was much greater in those women who selected silicone implants to be used in their reconstruction as compared to the saline ones.
If you would like additional information on silicone or saline breast implants, breast augmentation, breast reconstruction or for any other plastic surgery procedure that I perform, please call my office at 480-451-3000. We would also be happy to schedule a consultation for you if you desire.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona