In the 1980s and 1990s, silicone implants were regarded as potentially dangerous medical devices. As a result, prior silicone implant designs were voluntarily pulled from the market until comprehensive research could be completed on the risk of silicone gel leakage. That research revealed no link between silicone implants and cancers or neurological disorders, and an updated silicone implant design was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006 after several years of testing and clinical trials.
Today, silicone gel implants are known to be more natural-looking and feeling implants compared to saline implants, and are the most popular choice for breast enlargement at my Tampa practice.
Natural Look and Feel
The silicone gel material used for implants has a feel that closely mimics fat tissue, so the resulting implants look and feel more like naturally occurring breast tissue than saline implants, which are filled with salt water.
Greater Versatility
Patients with very little fat or breast tissue are often advised to have silicone implants because of their smoother look. Saline implants are more likely to have detectable rippling beneath the skin.
Lighter
Silicone is somewhat lighter than saline, and therefore silicone implants are less likely to result in downward displacement or stretching of the skin, which can cause expansion of the implant pocket or sagging breasts.
The vast majority of breast enlargement patients at Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center in Tampa are very satisfied with their results, whether they chose silicone or saline implants. If you are unsure as to the best material for your overall breast enhancement goals, make sure you engage in a thorough consultation with your physician before you make any decisions.
Author: Dr. Joseph Castellano
Dr. Joseph Castellano is a native Floridian who grew up in the Tampa Bay area. After medical school and residency, Dr. Castellano returned home and has opened a practice in Tampa, Florida focusing on breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, liposuction, facelift, and eyelid rejuvenation. He is a member of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association
