Skip to content

Saline or silicone implants?

Page last modified on: September 18, 2008
Question from ClareK: Is saline or silicone the most popular choice for implants for breast reconstruction?
Answers —Maurice Nahabedian, M.D.: Saline implants are still the most commonly selected implants. I think that this choice by women to continue with saline is based primarily on fear of silicone and the result of all the negative publicity related to silicone. Silicone implants can provide an excellent quality reconstruction, but I think it will probably take more time for the public to become more accepting of silicone gel implants.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: What about oil implants?
Maurice Nahabedian, M.D.: I don't use any of the oil implants, but I do frequently use the combination of saline and silicone gel implants. I've found this implant to be very useful because it provides women with the feel and consistency of the silicone gel and provides the surgeon the ability to adjust the volume of the implant because of the saline chamber.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: So the saline chamber has a port on it?
Maurice Nahabedian, M.D.: Yes, the saline chamber is connected to a remote port that I will place on the side or bottom of the reconstructed breast. The implant itself has equal amounts of silicone gel in the outer chamber and saline on the inner chamber.

On Wednesday, November 19, 2003, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Breast Reconstruction. Maurice Nahabedian, M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about different techniques in breast reconstruction, the pros and cons of implants and body tissue transfers, when you might want to reconstruct, and many more issues related to rebuilding your breast/s after breast cancer surgery.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

wellness_dvd_promo

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Maurice Nahabedian, M.D. is director of the Center of Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery of the Breast and associate professor of plastic Surgery at Johns Hopkins.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2009 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.