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Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Silicone gel implants are filled with liquid silicone. The FDA has
restricted the use of silicone gel implants to only a select group
of plastic surgeons and only certain of their patients. If you are
interested in having silicone gel implants, be sure to ask if you
might be eligible to participate in one of the approved protocols.
To date, there have been numerous studies in the medical literature
demonstrating no link between silicone gel implants and any type of
disease. However, Silicone gel filled breast implants are only offered
on a limited basis, under approved studies, due to questions about
silicone implants correlated to autoimmune diseases. For further information
on breast implants, following sites provide additional:
Saline Breast Implants
Saline filled implants consist of an outer shell of silicone that
is filled with saline, or salt water. Most breast implants used for
breast augmentation are of this type. In addition, there is a new
type of saline implant called a "high profile" saline implant.
It is designed to give better breast projection and volume, because
more of its volume is used in establishing projection rather than
increasing the width of the implant. Please ask your plastic surgeon
for further information regarding which implant might be right for
your individual needs.
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Types of breast implants - Smooth vs. Textured Surfaces
Breast implants may have a smooth surface or may have a rough, textured
surface. The textured implants were produced in the hopes that they
would decrease the incidence of the patient forming a scar around
the implant, also known as a capsular contracture. This does appear
to be the case, but only when the implant is placed beneath the breast
but above the muscle of the chest wall (see breast
implant placement options).
Textured implants are not without their disadvantages, however. The
texturing process makes the shell slightly thicker, which translates
into an implant that might be more visible through the skin of the breast
or might be more easily felt when the breast is touched.
Because of these disadvantages, most breast implants used today are
of the smooth variety.
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Types of breast implants - Round vs. Anatomical Shaped
Most breast implants used today are round. There are also implants
that are teardrop shaped, called anatomical implants. These are in an
attempt to better simulate the shape of the natural breast. In certain
cases these may be recommended, but ALL anatomical implants are textured,
with the accompanying disadvantages of textured implants.
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