Saline breast implants have been the most common type of implant used in the United States since the ban on silicone implants in 1992. During this time silicone was only used for breast reconstruction and clinical studies, while saline became widely accepted. With the FDA approval of the new silicone breast implants in November 2006, there has again been an increasing trend towards the use of silicone.

There are several reasons, however, why you may still want to consider the saline implant. As you process the difference between saline and silicone, keep this list of things to know in mind:

Top 5 List of things to know about Saline Breast Implants:

1) Rupture. The top benefit women consider about saline is that upon rupture, the solution that leaks into your body is not considered toxic. The saltwater solution is similar to the fluid that makes up most of the humany body. If rupture occurs, deflation will happen rapidly due to the liquid composition.

2) Belly Button Incision. In addition to safety, women who want to opt for belly button breast augmentation will have to choose saline. In order to place the implant using the belly button method (technically known as transumbilical), your plastic surgeon uses an endoscope to slide the implant up through the inside wall of your torso. Since silicone implants cannot be filled upon insertion, the only possible method is to slide the saline implant through the endoscope and fill it with saline after it is placed. Additionally, any of the other incision types will leave a smaller scar than with silicone.

3) Rippling Effect. One of the downsides to saline is that this type of implant typcally has something of a riple effect. Most commonly this occurs in a visible manner in women who have thin skin and very little breast tissue. The wrinkling can be seen on the sides of the breasts, as well as the bottom.

4) Expense. One distinct advantage of saline is that they are as much as a thousand dollars cheaper than the silicone variety. This advantage alone has kept the popular high on this type of implant.

5) Breast Implant Size. Saline implants are infinitely variable in terms of size since the implant is actually filled after it is inserted into the body. Your plastic surgeon will place the empty implant first and then fill the implant to the size that you desire. Most doctors will actually overfill the implant which can aid with the typical pitfall of rupture.

You will, of course, want to thoroughly discuss with your doctor an appropriate breast implant size. As this is the most common reason women go back for second or third surgeries, the choice of size is too often under played. With all the same costs and risks involved in second surgeries, please take your time to thoroughly investigate this decision.

I recommend the use of breast implant sizers to help you choose your size. While it is important to see before and after photos on the internet, nothing can replace the value of actual experience on your own body of various implant sizes. The best way is to actually live with the sizer over a period of at least two weeks. Try on different sizes until you feel comfortable that you have arrived at a size that works well for you and your body.

Saline breast implants are still a popular option in breast augmentation surgery. There are, of course, benefits to all implant types. Talk with your doctor about the benefits of all and make a fully informed decision.

Just like any other surgical procedure, there will always be risks associated with breast augmentations. Regardless of the possibility of risks, the breast augmentation procedure is considered to be the safest. When it comes down to the implants used during a breast augmentation there is also the risk of complications.

One of the biggest issues associated with the breast implants are the possibility of rupture after the completion of the breast augmentation procedure. In general, unless the implant has bacteria in it, the saline filled implant is usually harmless. However there have been numerous complaints associated with the silicone implants. In the event that the implant ruptures the only course of action is removal which means another surgery.

There may also be the chance of a capsular contracture. When speaking about the capsule, what we are referring to is the scar tissue that is located around the implant itself which is formed by the implant procedure itself. As time goes by, this scar tissue may become thicker. In the event that it becomes too thick, the space needed for the implant becomes too small. In the end this can cause an implant rupture if too much pressure is applied to the implant.

Another possible breast implant dangers is a hermatoma. In the event that you get a hermatoma or even a seroma blood will build up inside the soft tissue of the breasts. This complication may also lead to a capsular contracture which in turn may eventually lead to a rupture of the implant.

There is the possibility of loss of some or all of your nipple and breast sensation as well as the chance of pain for an extended period of time after the recovery period. When it comes to loss of sensations or an increase in pain, these both may range from almost none, to excessive depending on the type of incision that you chose for your procedure.

As with any type of surgical procedure, there is the risk of infections in the area that was operated on. This infection can be localized inside of the implant pocket or along the stitch line but the possibility still exists.

Breast implant dangers are a possibility but the best way to lower your chances are to make sure that you are well informed about your upcoming procedure.