In 1992, the Federal Drug Administration banned silicone gel implants. This was in direct response to the thousands of women who complained of multiple complications allegedly caused by the implants themselves. This ban lasted fourteen years: in 2006, the FDA finally approved silicone gel implants for unrestricted use. Guess what type of implant was used during those fourteen years? Saline breast implants.

During that fourteen year ban, saline breast implants were the only option for a woman wanting breast augmentation surgery. This was great news for the manufacturers of saline implants, but was not so great for women electing to have surgery because they had only one choice.

Long before the ban in 1992, silicone gel implants were under fire for a variety of health related reasons. It is because of the controversy surrounding silicone gel implants that saline implants were eventually developed.

Unlike silicone gel implants, saline implants use a saltwater solution as their filler. This saltwater solution is very similar to the fluids already found in the human body. This makes the solution virtually harmless. In fact, if a saline implant ruptures, it will simply leak fluid into the body and eventually get purged via urination - no harm done to the body whatsoever.

There are three types of saline implants available. The first is a fixed size implant with a fixed amount of saline solution. This implant, once installed, cannot be increased or decreased. The only method for increasing or decreasing the size of this implant is to remove and replace it.

The second type of saline implant comes with a one-time use valve. After the surgeon positions the implant, he or she will then fill the implant with a saline solution to the patient's pre-discussed size. After the implants are filled with saline solution, the valve is permanently sealed; the only way to adjust the size is to remove and replace the implant.

The third type of implant comes with a valve that can be used repeatedly. Once the implant is in position, your surgeon will inflate the implant to the desired size. If you should ever wish to decrease your implant size or inflate it, your surgeon can do so with only minor surgery.

Saline implants have a few perks that could make them a more ideal choice for many women. For starters, they are less expensive than silicone gel implants, usually by forty percent or more. If cost is an issue, saline implants might be your optimal choice for this reason alone.

Because the implants are filled after they are in position, smaller incisions are possible, and this leads to smaller scars. Are you afraid of scarring? If so, saline implants might be your best solution.

When an implant ruptures, it leaks the filler into the human body. With silicone gel implants, should they leak, silicone gel will begin to mix inside your body. That's not a good thing! Not too mention, it's virtually impossible to detect a ruptured silicone gel implant without the aid of an MRI. Saline implants, on the other hand, deflate quite rapidly if they rupture or leak, usually within 48 hours. This means that the woman can detect a ruptured implant rather quickly and can call her surgeon and discuss corrective issues right away.

Want to learn more? Contact a licensed, board certified surgeon and schedule a free consultation. Only a practicing surgeon can give you the most current information regarding saline and silicone breast implants. Don't worry about the cost of the consultation - most surgeons give new patients free initial consultations!

It is not the intention of this article to provide medical advice or recommendations. Only a licensed physician can provide accurate, up to date advice for your health related questions.