Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Saline vs. Silicone Breast Implants – Cost Comparison



For a while women only had saline breast implants to choose from, but now both saline breast implants and silicone breast implants have FDA approval. So now you need to decide what’s best for you. You might start with a cost comparison.

Breast enlargements can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 or even more and generally they are not covered by health insurance. Silicone usually costs around a $1000 more than the comparative saline implants. So let’s have a look at the other differences.

The benefits of saline breast implants are that they are less expensive than silicone, surgery involves a smaller incision, which is usually only 3 cm, and the volume is adjustable.

The pros of silicone breast implants are that they feel much more natural, are compressible, and have minimal rippling.

On the disadvantages, saline breast implants can ripple and wrinkle, and it can be felt through the skin. They can feel too firm to be natural, and when you lie on your stomach, you will actually feel the pressure points on each side of your chest where the saline breast implants are located. When you have silicone breast implants, this disappears.

The con of silicone is they are about $1,000 more expensive, and the incision is longer ranging from 4 to 5 cm. The volume is not adjustable so what you get is what you get.

Silicone implants also need to be monitored for potential ruptures. This can lead to chronic breast pain. The FDA recommends that if you have silicone implants, you should have an MRI at least once every two years. MRI scans cost on average $1,500, and it will not be covered by your medical insurance because it is related to cosmetic surgery.

The difference in price is really not enough to base your final decision on, but by comparing both the pros and cons of both sides you will make the right decision for you.

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