Silicone or Saline implants

kmenurse
kmenurse Member Posts: 217
in Breast Cancer #1

I'm scheduled for a bilateral mastectomy on April 26,13 with expanders... I have sometime before I have to make the decision on the type I will use... But, I can't make up my mind on weather to go Silicone or Saline... Can anyone give me the Pros and Cons on each... I have read up on both but, I would like some real life feed back..  May GOD Bless us all!... Kathy

Comments

  • Josie21
    Josie21 Member Posts: 382 Member
    #2
    Implants

    Hi Kathy,

    I had saline implants put in after my bilateral mastectomy in December 2008.  The only reason I chose them was I was afraid of the silicone leaking.  I felt that the saline was safer.  I don't know if that is true anymore, but I am happy with what I have.  I feel and see dimpling where the valves are, but when I went back to my surgeon he made it seem like that was normal.  If you have any specific questions, please let me know.  

    It will be OK Kathy.  The mastectomy and especially the expanders were very doable.  I had almost no pain.  You can do this!  Whatever you decide, it will be fine.

    Hugs coming your way,

    Ginny

  • kmenurse
    kmenurse Member Posts: 217
    #3
    Josie21 said:

    Implants

    Hi Kathy,

    I had saline implants put in after my bilateral mastectomy in December 2008.  The only reason I chose them was I was afraid of the silicone leaking.  I felt that the saline was safer.  I don't know if that is true anymore, but I am happy with what I have.  I feel and see dimpling where the valves are, but when I went back to my surgeon he made it seem like that was normal.  If you have any specific questions, please let me know.  

    It will be OK Kathy.  The mastectomy and especially the expanders were very doable.  I had almost no pain.  You can do this!  Whatever you decide, it will be fine.

    Hugs coming your way,

    Ginny

    Thanks Ginny... I have been

    Thanks Ginny... I have been going back and forth on which type to get.. It's just so much so fast.. leaves my head spinning... But I do think it will all turn out just fine...  Everyone here at CSN and at the Womens Health Center where I live, has been wonderful!  God Bless you all!

  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #4
    Josie21 said:

    Implants

    Hi Kathy,

    I had saline implants put in after my bilateral mastectomy in December 2008.  The only reason I chose them was I was afraid of the silicone leaking.  I felt that the saline was safer.  I don't know if that is true anymore, but I am happy with what I have.  I feel and see dimpling where the valves are, but when I went back to my surgeon he made it seem like that was normal.  If you have any specific questions, please let me know.  

    It will be OK Kathy.  The mastectomy and especially the expanders were very doable.  I had almost no pain.  You can do this!  Whatever you decide, it will be fine.

    Hugs coming your way,

    Ginny

    Kathy, I can't offer help on

    Kathy, I can't offer help on your question as I had a lumpectomy, but, wanted to say good luck to you and I hope more pink sisters will see your post and reply to you.

    Hugs, Angie

  • Clementine_P
    Clementine_P Member Posts: 518 Member
    #5
    Silicone

    Hi Kathy,

    I got silicone because I was told that with the saline you can potentially see rippling and dimpling.  I was also told that when you are putting the implants under muscle with no breast tissue (post mastectomy) that the silicone will feel more natural and the saline will feel less supple.  With the silicone I will have to get an MRI every 2 years or so to see if the implant is still intact.  I am happy with my results.  I feel that they look pretty good and feel comfortable as well.

    Good luck to you,

    Clementine

  • kmenurse
    kmenurse Member Posts: 217
    #6
    Clementine_P said:

    Silicone

    Hi Kathy,

    I got silicone because I was told that with the saline you can potentially see rippling and dimpling.  I was also told that when you are putting the implants under muscle with no breast tissue (post mastectomy) that the silicone will feel more natural and the saline will feel less supple.  With the silicone I will have to get an MRI every 2 years or so to see if the implant is still intact.  I am happy with my results.  I feel that they look pretty good and feel comfortable as well.

    Good luck to you,

    Clementine

    Thanks Clementine I think

    Thanks Clementine I think that's the choice I have decided on as well... They are also lighter in weight and saline are heavier so with saline gravity may make them sag.. Gravity is not a 63 year women's friend...lol

     

    Don't let Gravity get you Down for Science Geeks Tee Shirts

  • Clementine_P
    Clementine_P Member Posts: 518 Member
    #7
    kmenurse said:

    Thanks Clementine I think

    Thanks Clementine I think that's the choice I have decided on as well... They are also lighter in weight and saline are heavier so with saline gravity may make them sag.. Gravity is not a 63 year women's friend...lol

     

    Don't let Gravity get you Down for Science Geeks Tee Shirts

    Gravity

    I hear you, but just so you know, your new "girls" will be put under your muscles and will forever be "self supporting" - meaning no sag is going to happen.  I go to the gym regularly and pretty much never wear a sports bra.  Nice to be forever perky!

    Feel free to ask me any questions that may come up for you and I wish you the best of luck.

    Clementine

  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #8
    I also had a

    I also had a lumpectomy. Didn't need to make this decision BUT if I did it would be saline.Seems I've read it's safer but that was years ago. Also feel saline is more natural.

    My sister is having her reconstruction in a few weeks.I'm going to see what she's doing.Last July she had a double mastectomy.Cancer was in both breasts. 

    Lynn Smith

  • kmenurse
    kmenurse Member Posts: 217
    #9
    Lynn Smith said:

    I also had a

    I also had a lumpectomy. Didn't need to make this decision BUT if I did it would be saline.Seems I've read it's safer but that was years ago. Also feel saline is more natural.

    My sister is having her reconstruction in a few weeks.I'm going to see what she's doing.Last July she had a double mastectomy.Cancer was in both breasts. 

    Lynn Smith

    Thanks Lynn, Your sister will

    Thanks Lynn, Your sister will be in my prayers... As we all know this journey is not an easy one, but one we have to take.

    Silicone was taken off the market for a few years by the FDA but, they lifted the band after studies showed no evidence to the claims that lead them to band them in the first place.. BUT, still do the research before making any decission on which one to use.  This is what I did but, I still wanted real life experiences from people before I decided.  So far the only down fall that I found was the need for an MRI every 2 yrs.  And if it develops a leak it is slower then saline the reason for the MRI.  I believe it was 2006 when they allowed the use of silicone again.   Kathy

  • MamieN
    MamieN Member Posts: 1
    #10
    kmenurse said:

    Thanks Lynn, Your sister will

    Thanks Lynn, Your sister will be in my prayers... As we all know this journey is not an easy one, but one we have to take.

    Silicone was taken off the market for a few years by the FDA but, they lifted the band after studies showed no evidence to the claims that lead them to band them in the first place.. BUT, still do the research before making any decission on which one to use.  This is what I did but, I still wanted real life experiences from people before I decided.  So far the only down fall that I found was the need for an MRI every 2 yrs.  And if it develops a leak it is slower then saline the reason for the MRI.  I believe it was 2006 when they allowed the use of silicone again.   Kathy

    Silicone

    Hi Kathy,

    Last June (2012) I had a bilateral mastectomy with expanders put in.  I received radiation on the right breast and lymph node area and the right breast ended up slightly smaller than the left because of the radiation.  I had the exchange done this January (2013) and chose silicone implants.  My Plastic Surgeon made adjustments for the lopsidedness and they matched perfect until about 3 weeks ago (2 months after exchange).  The right breast is now smaller again (I was told this is from scar tissue from the radiation contracting around the implant).  I will see my PS the end of this month and see what he says about this and what can be done.  At this point in time it is not noticeable with a bra and clothes on, so I'm hoping it will not get any worse than this.  Also, there is some rippling due to my skin being thin, but it has smoothed out somewhat over the past 2 months.  Having chosen the silicone the rippling is minimal where as the saline tends to have even more rippling with thin skin.  I do like the way the silicone implants feel, very soft and real, my left breast is perfect, so if it wasn't for having had the radiation on the right side they would be a perfect set.  Just something to think about if you will need to have radiation. - Mamie

  • kmenurse
    kmenurse Member Posts: 217
    #11
    MamieN said:

    Silicone

    Hi Kathy,

    Last June (2012) I had a bilateral mastectomy with expanders put in.  I received radiation on the right breast and lymph node area and the right breast ended up slightly smaller than the left because of the radiation.  I had the exchange done this January (2013) and chose silicone implants.  My Plastic Surgeon made adjustments for the lopsidedness and they matched perfect until about 3 weeks ago (2 months after exchange).  The right breast is now smaller again (I was told this is from scar tissue from the radiation contracting around the implant).  I will see my PS the end of this month and see what he says about this and what can be done.  At this point in time it is not noticeable with a bra and clothes on, so I'm hoping it will not get any worse than this.  Also, there is some rippling due to my skin being thin, but it has smoothed out somewhat over the past 2 months.  Having chosen the silicone the rippling is minimal where as the saline tends to have even more rippling with thin skin.  I do like the way the silicone implants feel, very soft and real, my left breast is perfect, so if it wasn't for having had the radiation on the right side they would be a perfect set.  Just something to think about if you will need to have radiation. - Mamie

    silicone

    Thank you Mamie, your post was helpful, I believe that I have decided on the silicone myself... Thank you everyone!   I feel all have helped in my decison.  God Bless You, Pink Sisters... Kathy

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #12
    kmenurse said:

    silicone

    Thank you Mamie, your post was helpful, I believe that I have decided on the silicone myself... Thank you everyone!   I feel all have helped in my decison.  God Bless You, Pink Sisters... Kathy

    Like so many  -- I researched
     I researched and pondered each product - until I was dazed and confused.

    I had the opportunity to take samples of both products home for review .. LOL     My choice -- was Saline. I am so happy with them! Natural, lite .. never cold and on the upside .. if there is 'ever' a leak .. you can get it fixed, and filled at your Plastic Surgeon's office. No incision, no surgery .. no invasive entrance into our body under the knife.

    My Plastic Surgeon here in So. California agreed that Saline is the way to go.

    ** Please note:  I struggled with this decision because of all the horror stories about silicone --  I was concerned about the silicone in my body, until I learned that even if you get saline implants, the shell that surrounds the saline is silicone ... so either way you're going to have silicone in your body.

    My choice, my decision .. I am extremely happy and pleased with the appearance of my new girls -- Bambi and Barbie !!

    Vicki Sam

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