What Is the Softest Implant: Saline Breast Implants or Silicone Breast Implants?

February 20, 2014

When it comes to our philosophy of providing the most natural looking results possible, if we’re talking about breast augmentation, part of the equation is definitely the way the breast implants feel. My patients want breasts that feel as natural as they look, and for a lot of them, that comes down to a feeling of softness. So of course, many of them ask me the same question: what is the softest breast implant that will feel the most natural?

As with most of the questions I hear about breast augmentation, it would probably be much easier if only one solution existed that would work perfectly for everyone. But this is the world of surgery, which is a remarkably complex field – it’s why we spend so much time in medical school. And since every patient is different, there is no one answer that will work for everyone.

In this case, it can even be a matter of perception. Talking to different patients who hold saline and silicone implant samples in their hands, some will tell me they think the silicone breast implants are softer, while others will say they definitely notice the saline breast implants feel softest. So the most important factor then becomes determining the best fit for each individual patient’s body. With an in-depth consultation, we work together to choose the right size and type of breast implant and figure out the best position for implant placement. All of these factors need to be customized to create a natural-looking breast that feels soft.

It’s important to note that there is one particular complication that can make breast implants feel hard, and that’s capsular contracture. This can occur when either saline breast implants or silicone breast implants are placed in the body. The body’s normal response is to form a lining, or capsule, around it, just as it would with any foreign object. That process is completely natural, and capsular contracture itself is also natural. A problem only arises if the capsule squeezes too much, making the soft implant beneath it feel hard. At The Plastic Surgery Clinic, we take every precaution possible to minimize the risk of this complication. In fact, we have been able to limit the rate of capsular contracture in our patients to 1.3%, which is the lowest rate in any study ever published.

The bottom line is that my breast augmentation patients want breasts that look amazing and feel natural too. Implants that feel great lead to patients who feel great about themselves. It’s a win-win.

• posted by Dr. Frank Lista, MD, FRCSC