Which Type of Implant has the Better “Feel”?
This is a common question that is asked in reference to silicone gel implants. Patients will tend to prefer gel implants over saline for the feel of the implant. It’s important to note, however, that there is a difference when evaluating the implants out of the body in the office, compared with when the implants are placed in the body.
The two types of implants have a different texture since silicone is more viscous than saline water.
In patients that have a lot of tissue covering the implants, this effect may be minimal.
For patients who do not have a lot of tissue covering the implants, there can be palpable implant rippling through the skin and breast tissues—an effect that is more common with saline implants. This rippling is one of the main reasons women choose silicone gel over saline implants.
There are newer saline implants that have a different outer shell construct that is designed to minimize this rippling. Another important thing to know is that some very thin women can still get rippling with silicone gel implants.
Dr. Arjang Yazdani, B.Sc., M.D., FRCSC
