Silicone Gel ImplantsSilicone Gel Implant Construction
Modern silicone implants are a marvel of technology and aesthetics. There are choices of
size,
profile,
shape
and
texture
which give patients a custom design suited to their specific needs. The outermost part of the implant is called the shell. This shell is bonded to the filler material so that the filler will not bulge or
leak.
In earlier versions of silicone breast implants, the filler material was separate from the shell and might leak through if the shell was compromised. The unified shell and filler design creates a safer prosthesis, which will not fold or
wrinkle,
producing a more natural appearing breast.
Stages of Silicone Gel ImplantsWhile all silicone implants contain silicone gel, there is a wide variation in the thickness and consistency of the filler material. Early prototype silicone implants had a thick viscous gel filling and a thick outer shell. Later revisions to the silicone implant created a second generation of thinner shells and more liquid-like filler material. These are the implants which failed so often and led to the ban on silicone prosthetics in the United States in 1992. Third and fourth generation implants generally grew larger in size and once again featured a reinforced outer shell, which was now coated to prevent leaks. These implants also featured a thicker jelly-like silicone filler which was less likely to migrate out of the implant if the shell’s integrity was compromised. Current silicone breast implants are made of cohesive gel material which is actually a jelly solid, rather then gel or liquid material. The filler material is chemically bonded together and the implant can actually be cut into pieces without any filler leaking.Recommendation on Silicone Gel ImplantsRemember to research all options when it comes to choosing silicone prostheses for your breast augmentation procedure. The choices to be considered are shaped implants versus round implants, high profile versus low profile, and textured shell versus smooth shell. You doctor will help to advise you which implant will best suit your needs and the specific procedure you have selected. Learning the facts about silicone breast implants, prior to surgery, will save you from potential problems postoperatively. Take your time and choose wisely. Your body is worth the extra wait to get the facts before jumping in to surgery blindly...Silicone Gel Implants to Breast Surgery 11/28/08 Revised 6/8/11 |
Breast-Plastic-Surgery.Org. No material, text or graphics may be reproduced or distributed in any form, without written permission from the author. Anyone who infringes on this copyright will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.