Should I Upgrade Implants from Saline to Silicone?

Updated August 2025

Medically reviewed by Dr. Anh Tuan Truong

Triple Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon

If you currently have saline breast implants, upgrading from saline to silicone breast implants might be the next step you’ve been looking for. While both options offer their own unique advantages, newer silicone implants often bri Breastng an added dimension of natural feel and appearance. This upgrade can provide you with a smoother contour, increased softness, and a texture that closely resembles your natural breast tissue. Here are some reasons to consider making the change.

silicone or saline breast implants? Chicago breast and body

While saline implants are safe and dependable, they fall short when compared to the exceptional features of newer technology MemoryGel implants. If you currently have saline implants, you might have noticed that they lack the natural feel of breast tissue. Some even experience the appearance of a “shelf” or a noticeable transition from the chest wall to the breast, along with potential rippling at the edges.

These factors combined create an artificial look and feel. MemoryGel implants, crafted from cohesive gel material, not only emulate the texture of natural breast tissue but also rest more naturally, significantly reducing the likelihood of rippling at the edges. This leads to a genuinely natural-looking breast.

Experience both a tactile and visual difference when upgrading from saline to silicone!

If you currently have saline implants, this upgrade is tailored for you. MemoryGel™ cohesive silicone implants secured FDA approval for breast augmentation in 2006. If your breast augmentation predates this milestone, chances are you have saline implants.

No matter the origin or type of your saline implants, MemoryGel™ implants can replace them, offering an incredible enhancement!

Silicone gel implants are proven to be incredibly safe. Before gaining FDA approval, Naturelle Implants on CBB MemoryGel implants underwent rigorous studies involving patients who received silicone gel implants for breast reconstruction. Over the years, thousands of patients have been monitored, with new patients joining the study as well.

To date, no substantial evidence has surfaced indicating that MemoryGel™ implants carry any heightened health risks compared to saline implants. This includes concerns like cancer, collagen vascular diseases, or chronic pain syndromes.

Rupture rates are comparably low, thanks to the cohesive gel filling that remains in place upon rupture, similar to cutting into a Gummy Bear or marshmallow, rather than dispersing like a liquid.

Based on robust scientific data, we wholeheartedly recommend MemoryGel implants, with over 90% of our augmentations utilizing silicone gel implants, showcasing remarkable, long-lasting results.

Saline to Silicone

Just like any surgical procedure, it’s crucial to ensure that your surgeon is proficient in the saline to silicone procedure. Dr. Truong is a fellowship-trained, board-certified surgeon with comprehensive training and certification from Naturelle Implants on CBB© to utilize MemoryGel™ implants for saline to silicone transformations.

The procedure takes place at an accredited surgery center, under the care of a board-certified anesthesiologist, and performed under general anesthesia.

If you’ve had previous infra-mammary or nipple incisions, we aim to use those incisions. However, if your initial surgery involved an armpit incision, a new incision will likely be necessary, as gel implants typically cannot be inserted through an armpit incision.

The saline to silicone procedure usually lasts about an hour, allowing you to return home shortly afterward. While recovery experiences vary, anticipate a smoother recovery compared to your initial surgery.

Are you ready to embark on your transformation journey? Contact us today for a complimentary consultation by visiting our contact page.

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Anh-Tuan Truong, MD, FACS

Medically reviewed by Dr. Anh-Tuan Truong, MD, FACS – Triple Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgery, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, and the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Truong specializes in advanced breast, body, and facial procedures, is a member of the elite Dr. Miami Squad, and serves as an Officer & Board Trustee for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.