Since the late 1800's, operations for breast implants have been performed. In those early operations, however, the materials were a severe contrast to the feel and texture of the silicone and saline implants used today. Some of the fillers used in the earliest operations to augment a woman's breast included: ivory, ox cartilage, polyethylene chips, glass balls, ground rubber, and even paraffin. Fortunately, drastic advances have been made in breast augmentation compounds and techniques.
Silicone gel implants were first introduced in 1962. These implants were silicone shells filled with silicone gel. Thirty years after their first use, the leading producer of silicone gel implants, Dow Corning, made a pronouncement. The company would no longer produce five different grades of the gel for implant usage. The production halt was in answer to the many thousands of women informing them of the ill effects of silicone trickling into their bodies from the implants. Filing for bankruptcy in 1995, Dow Corning cited more than 19,000 lawsuits filed by women whose medical difficulties were caused by the silicone gel.
Today, Mentor Corporation and Allergan are the leading manufacturers of silicone gel implants. Both have FDA approval for breast reconstruction and cosmetic breast augmentation. Although approved by the FDA, silicone gel implants are restricted to use in limited situations.
Another type of implant uses saline. In 1964 a French manufacturer first introduced it. The implant is not filled with silicone gel; it is filled with a sterile saline. A saltwater mixture, the saline solution is much like the fluids already found in the human body.
Saline would leak into the body if an implant broke. If a saline implant ruptures, unlike silicone gel, the body absorbs the saline and flushes it out through urination eventually. Another plus is that, should a rupture occur, saline implants are much less troublesome to remove than silicone gel implants.
Saline implants were originally introduced to minimize the implant incision. Since the implant is put into the body and then filled with saline, only a small incision is needed. There is a small likelihood that saline implants will cause rippling and wrinkling of the skin. Saline implants are currently approved for unrestricted use.
In the beginning, breast implants were only available in a round shape. It is still the most popular shape today. Implant rotation within the breast happens sometimes post surgery. There is no conspicuous change in how a breast appears if a round implant rotates, in comparison to other implant shapes. One disadvantage to round implants is the tendency to be fuller on top of the breast, unlike the natural breast shape. A plus of the round implants is they are less costly than other implant shapes.
Number two of the most popular implant shapes is the anatomical. This shape is more commonly called teardrop. Teardrop implants have more fullness at the bottom than at the top. They are intended to replicate the natural shape of real breasts. If a teardrop shaped implant rotates, you will definitely detect it in the breast's appearance. In such cases of rotation, minor surgery may be needed to correct it.
If you want implants solely for cosmetic purposes, you may find you don't have a choice other than saline. It depends on your particular situation. Between the two implants, silicone gel is preferred more often but their use is limited by the FDA to a very narrow range of conditions.
When the FDA has compiled enough research data, silicone gel implants will be approved for unlimited use. For the time being, see a surgeon so he can ascertain whether or not your situation is permitted for silicone gel implants.
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