Used In Breast Reconstruction, Silicone Breast Implants Have A Natural Feel And Look

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.

Breast Augmentation Surgery and Breast Implants- What You Should Know

A lot of people these days are well aware of the popularity of Breast Augmentation surgery. What most do not realize is that there are different types of breast implants, and each type has its own use and application, depending on the preferences of the patient, her surgeon and lastly, the technique used for the placement of the implants also has some bearing over the choice of implant used.

The saline breast implant has an exterior shell made of solid silicone, which is filled with a sterile saline solution much like the salt-water solution that is administered for intravenous fluids during and after a surgical procedure. One of the advantages of this saline solution is its safety. Should a saline implant leak, the saline solution is absorbed by your body, just as the intravenous fluids would. Another notable advantage of saline breast implants is a very low infection rate, which has been reported to be less than two percent.

The silicone implants are filled with a silicone gel surrounded by a solid silicone shell. More than one million women in America currently have silicone breast implants. Some feel that the silicone implant results in a more natural appearing breast.

Cohesive gel implants (commonly referred to as the "gummy bear" implant) are silicone implants that are filled with a thicker silicone gel that will hold its shape and form much like a "gummy bear" candy. If you were to cut open a standard gel implant, the liquid silicone gel leaks out of the implant shell. However, when you cut into a cohesive gel implant, the implant itself maintains its shape and integrity and the thicker silicone gel does not leak out. These shaped implants were designed with a focus upon a natural look, rather than for the sole purpose of breast enlargement. "Gummy bear" implants maintain their shape in an upright position, which decreases the incidence of the implant's shell folding or rippling. If a cohesive gel implant ruptures, it maintains both its shape and integrity.

When electing to have breast implant surgery, one should always consult with a plastic surgeon prior to the surgical procedure. This is an important step and one that should not be taken lightly. As with any surgical procedure, there is some level of risk, and it is important that anyone considering Breast Augmentation surgery become informed of the risks involved, and that person fully understand the procedure, and be realistic about her results.

Refine the Shape and Size of your Breasts

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that uses implants to refine the shape and size of the breasts. Recently, the FDA has lifted the restriction on the use of silicone implants allowing patients the choice between silicone and saline breast augmentation. Breast augmentation has seen a dramatic increase in popularity over the past three years, a testimony to the high satisfaction rate that most women give to the results.

There is considerable controversy among surgeons over breast implants, particularly those related to decisions about size and shape. The size and shape are decisions that are mostly subjective and are governed by prevailing taste. Adding to the confusion is the fact that nobody really agrees about what the appropriate size of the ideal breast actually is. What is your ideal size?

Breast Augmentation Information

Choosing to have plastic surgery is an important decision especially breast augmentation surgery. Breast augmentation using saline breast implants or silicone breast implants is one of the most commonly requested aesthetic operations. Breast enhancement surgery is the enlargement of breast volume by the surgical placement of a saline breast implant, silicone breast implant or cohesive gel breast implant ( 410 implant ) .

Most women undergo this type of plastic surgery because they want to feel better about their appearance. Women choose to have breast augmentation surgery to improve their self image. Some feel dissatisfied because their breasts never developed to a size that meets their expectations. Others want to bring balance to a breast that is somewhat smaller than the other. Differences in size between the right and left breasts can be improved with the use of breast implants. Often women want the breast augmentation procedure to restore their natural breast volume, which may have decreased as a result of pregnancy, weight loss, aging or even breast cancer surgery.

During your initial consultation with your local plastic surgeon, you will be encouraged to discuss your desires, fears, expectations, and goals. The first and foremost objective is the creation of breasts that you envision yourself with. In addition to increasing breast size, your plastic surgeon will strive to create a more aesthetically pleasing breast by improving shape, balance, and proportion.

Depending on the desired shape, your plastic surgeon may choose a round or contoured implant for breast augmentation. Round breast implants tend to produce a more rounded appearance to the upper breast. Shaped breast implants are designed to reflect the slope of the breast.

Breast Reconstruction with implants

Breast reconstruction surgery can take place over a relatively short period of time, typically between 3 and 6 months. Depending on your situation, your surgeon might suggest immediate reconstruction–breast reconstruction at the same time as your mastectomy–or delayed reconstruction.1, 2

The typical stages of breast reconstruction are:
Stage 1. Insertion of Tissue Expander
A tissue expander is a balloon-like device made from elastic silicone rubber. Either immediately following mastectomy or at a later date, the expander is placed beneath the skin and chest muscle. Over time, sterile saline fluid is added in order to slowly stretch the skin, so that it will eventually fit an implant.2, 3
Stage 2. Insertion of Implant
After the expander is removed, your surgeon will insert a breast implant. Many Surgeons offer a variety of silicone gel-filled or saline-filled breast implants that complement the existing expander.
Stage 3. Nipple and Areola Reconstruction
Reconstruction of the nipple and areola is usually performed as a separate surgery.

Breast augmentation Brings Balance to the Upper Body

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that uses implants to refine the shape and size of the breasts. Recently, the FDA has lifted the restriction on the use of silicone implants allowing patients the choice between silicone and saline breast augmentation. Breast augmentation has seen a dramatic increase in popularity over the past three years, a testimony to the high satisfaction rate that most women give to the results.

There is considerable controversy among surgeons over breast implants, particularly those related to decisions about size and shape. The size and shape are decisions that are mostly subjective and are governed by prevailing taste. Adding to the confusion is the fact that nobody really agrees about what the appropriate size of the ideal breast actually is. What is your ideal size?