Surgical procedures

Breast augmentation - Saline

Saline or salt water-filled breast implants are requested by many women who appreciate the advantages of this device. They are nearly always used in a smooth, round configuration.

These implants are placed into the breast nearly empty and are filled to their final size once in place. This allows saline implants to be inserted through shorter incisions compared to implants that are already filled (such as the silicone gel devices). Moreover, the final volume of a saline implant can be adjusted within a certain range in the operating room to provide the best size for that patient. This also gives saline implants an advantage in women whose breasts are significantly different in size.

Saline implants have a tendency to ripple. These ripples are generally well hidden when the implant is placed behind the pectoralis muscle, but can become visible when the implant is in front of the muscle. It is generally expected that a saline implant will last 10 to 15 years.