Also, some patients are simply more comfortable having saline implants, partly because of the earlier health concerns with silicone.

WSJ: Silicone Breast Implants Make a Comeback

Saline implants are more prone to rippling and other texture changes that can sometimes be seen through the skin, surgeons say.

WSJ: Silicone Breast Implants Make a Comeback

Saline implants require a much smaller incision, meaning less scarring. (The shell of the implant is inserted and only then is it filled with saline.) Removing it is also easier.

WSJ: Silicone Breast Implants Make a Comeback

Saline implants are safe.

FORBES: Inamed Wants Silicone Back In Breast Implants

As a result more than 90 percent of the U.S. market now uses saline-filled implants.

CNN: New breast implant set for trials

If people have to have breast implants, they ought to market saline.

FORBES: Inamed Wants Silicone Back In Breast Implants

The alternatives to silicone include saline -salt water - filled pads, or soya-based implants.

BBC: Huge rupture rate in breast implants

The FDA decided that the silicone implants, which surgeons feel are more lifelike than the saline ones now in use, should be available only in special cases, going against the panel's narrow vote.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Surgery firm Inamed Aesthetics had six surgeons carrying out free consultations on topics ranging from breast implants and wrinkle treatments to a new procedure to help weight loss by inserting a saline-filled balloon inside the patient's stomach.

BBC: NEWS | UK | UK consumers go surgery shopping