The silicone breast implants (now approved for general use) that are used today have a somewhat thicker shell than those that were used before 1992. They are also filled with a thicker silicone gel than past implants. The breast implants come pre-filled in various sizes and they are securely sealed so that there is little to no chance of any leakage. When someone mentions silicone with an “e” at the end, they are referring to a group of chemical compounds that vary in thickness from liquid, to gels, to a rubbery consistency. Among other things, they contain silicon (with no “e”) which is an element, just like carbon, iron, or nitrogen. Silicon is the second most common on Earth after oxygen. When oxygen and silicon are combined it forms silica which is the most common substance on the planet. Most people know silica in many different forms such as crystals, sand, and quartz. Silicone is used in several everyday items such as soaps, lotion, processed foods, chewing gum, and hairspray.
