Saline Breast Implants

In recent times breast augmentation surgery has seen a phenomenal rise in the number of people going for it. According to the available statistics, compared to 1992, there was a rise of 500% in the number of women going for it in 1999!

Earlier, before 1992 there were two types of breast implants which were generally used by the surgeon. Both types of implant have a silicone shell/bag which is placed under the breasts; this shell/bag was filled up with saline or silicone gel. The difference lies in the type of filling. However, since 1992, the FDA has restricted the use of silicone filled shells. Hence the saline filled shells have become more widespread.

Saline filling consists of sterile salt water whereas silicone filling consists of a gel like substance. Saline breast implants are considered safer than silicone filled implants because a saline breast implant leakage will release salt water into the body which is not harmful.  FDA has evidence pointing to the safety aspect of saline breast implant and thus it has only approved saline breast implant keeping in mind the safety and health factor in mind.

Breasts implants are artificial medical devices hence there are certain shortcomings too. They cannot replace biological parts. There are a few saline breast implant problems which a woman must be informed of before she embarks on this process. Saline breast implant rupture and may even harden, ripple or change in position or shape. Other saline breast implant problems that may happen are pain, infection and loss of sensation in the nipple or breast.

Saline breast augmentation may affect your breast feeding and even detecting breast cancer. Saline breast implant may rupture while taking a mammogram. While a pathologist takes a mammogram, he has to compress or squeeze the breast which may lead to saline breast implant leak. A special saline breast implant rupture imaging should be done to detect the rupture of the leak. Hence a woman should always inform the concerned technician about her breast implant and also tell him about the position of the implant and the type of implant. She should be careful to get her mammography done by a technician who is experienced in taking images of women who have undergone an implant.

Another problem that may crop up is that the saline implants may rupture or deflate with the passage of times and thus you may have to go for adding to your breast implant more saline. Hence there may be need of additional surgeries. If the breast implant ruptures it has to be removed or replaced immediately. In case there is any change in the position of the implant, infection or any calcium has formed in the neighboring tissues, then additional surgery may also be required.

 

Thus you must keep in mind that breasts implants, whether silicon or saline, are not permanent. You may need additional surgeries. Saline implants may affect your breast feeding plans and they will not stop the breasts from sagging. They are not covered by insurance; on the contrary, your insurance premium may go up. In spite of few irritating concerns, most women are satisfied with their saline implants and recommend it to others.