The breast augmentation consultation includes a detailed discussion and comparison of saline-filled and silicone gel-filled breast implants. To help appreciate the differences between the two implants, woman have the opportunity to handle the implants and feel the characteristics of each. Both implants have a shell made of a silicone elastomer, but the fluid (wave) consistency of the saline implant is quite different from the (cohesive) gel consistency of the silicone implant. After feeling the implants, some women comment that they believe the silicone gel breast implant feels heavier than a saline-filled breast implant.  Despite the apparent difference, the implants are very similar in weight. In addition, saline and silicone implants weigh about the same as breast tissue.

Calculating the weight of a saline implant
The density of the 0.9% saline used to fill the implant is about 1.005 gr/cm3.
Using a 300 cc breast implant for this example (and ignoring the weight of the implant shell)…

A 300 cc Saline-filled breast implant weighs:
300 cc x 1.005 gr/cc = 301.5 gr

Two 300 cc Saline-filled breast implants therefore weigh 603 gr.

1 pound = 453.592 gr (round to 454 gr)

Therefore, two 300 cc Saline-filled breast implants weigh:
603 gr / 454 gr = 1.328 pounds = 1 pound 5.25 ounces.

304cc-moderate-profile-silicone-gel-filled-breast-implant-weighs-306-grams
This photograph shows the weight of a moderate profile 304cc silicone gel-filled breast implant. The weight of  this implant is 306 grams. Using the estimated density of silicone gel (0.97gr/cc), a 304cc silicone gel implant should weigh about 295 grams. This would suggest that the implant shell weighs about 12 grams.


Calculating the weight of a silicone gel implant

The density of the silicone used to fill the breast implant is about 0.98 gr/cm3.
Using a 300 cc breast implant for this example (and ignoring the weight of the implant shell)…

A 300 cc Silicone gel-filled breast implant weighs:
300 cc x 0.97 gr/cc = 291 gr

Two 300 cc Silicone gel-filled breast implants therefore weigh 582 gr.

1 pound = 453.592 gr (round to 454 gr)

Therefore, two 300 cc Silicone gel-filled breast implants weigh:
582 gr / 454 gr = 1.282  pounds = 1 pound 4.5 ounces.

This demonstrates that a silicone gel breast implant is actually just slightly lighter than an equal volume saline breast implant.

 

Below is a list of approximate implant weights:

Saline
Implant Volume          Implant Weight           Weight for Pair of Implants
(cc)                                    (pounds)

200 cc                                    0.44                            14.1 ounces

225 cc                                    0.50                            15.9 ounces

250 cc                                    0.55                            1 pound 1.7 ounces

275 cc                                    0.61                            1 pound 3.5 ounces

300 cc                                    0.66                            1 pound 5.3 ounces

325 cc                                    0.72                            1 pound 7.0 ounces

350 cc                                    0.77                            1 pound 8.8 ounces

375 cc                                    0.83                            1 pound 10.6 ounces

400 cc                                    0.89                            1 pound 12.3 ounces

425 cc                                    0.94                            1 pound 14.1 ounces

450 cc                                    1.00                            1 pound 15.9 ounces

475 cc                                    1.05                            2 pounds 1.7 ounces

500 cc                                    1.11                            2 pounds 3.4 ounces

 

Silicone
Implant Volume          Implant Weight           Weight for Pair of Implants
(cc)                                    (pounds)

200 cc                                    0.43                            13.7ounces

225 cc                                    0.48                            15.4 ounces

250 cc                                    0.53                            1 pound 1.1 ounces

275 cc                                    0.59                            1 pound 2.8 ounces

300 cc                                    0.64                            1 pound 4.5 ounces

325 cc                                    0.69                            1 pound 6.2 ounces

350 cc                                    0.75                            1 pound 7.9ounces

375 cc                                    0.80                            1 pound 9.6 ounces

400 cc                                    0.85                            1 pound 11.4 ounces

425 cc                                    0.91                            1 pound 13.1 ounces

450 cc                                    0.96                            1 pound 14.8 ounces

475 cc                                    1.01                            2 pounds 0.5 ounces

500 cc                                    1.07                            2 pounds 2.2 ounces