Saline implants, which are widely available, are filled with salt water, much like the body's own fluids. In this situation, the body develops a layer of firm tissue around the implant. The breast may become firm to the touch. Leakage of saline implants can happen 2 to 5 percent of the time. This can lead to deflation and replacement with a simple outpatient procedure.
Women frequently choose saline implants for breast reconstruction.
They are an attractive option for those concerned about the controversy surrounding silicone-gel implants. Women who choose breast implants generally have rounder, firmer breasts, as opposed to breasts that match their natural shape. Although implants don't feel as natural as breasts reconstructed from a woman's own tissue, they require much less surgery and recovery time than the other options. Infection is another possible complication from the implant procedure. In such cases, the expander or implant is removed until the infection has healed, and then is reinserted.