Since the latter part of the 19th century, breast implant surgeries have been performed. The materials used in the early days differed severely, however, to the feel and sensation of today's silicone and saline implants. The earliest materials used to boost a woman's breast size included: paraffin, polyethylene chips, ground rubber, glass balls, ox cartilage, and even ivory. Mercifully, breast augmentation compounds and techniques have made innovative advances.
Silicone gel implants were first introduced in 1962. These types of implants were a silicone shell filled with silicone gel. Thirty years after their development, the chief silicone gel implant maker, Dow Corning, issued an important message. The manufacturing of five different grades of implant silicone would cease.
The production stop was initiated because many thousands of women voiced complaints of the ill side effects from silicone leaking into their bodies from the implants. Filing bankruptcy in 1995, Dow Corning accredited it to more than 19,000 lawsuits filed by women whose health difficulties were caused by the silicone gel.
The two leading manufacturers of silicone gel implants today are Mentor Corporation and Allergan. Both are FDA approved for cosmetic breast enhancement and breast reconstruction. The FDA may have approved silicone gel implants, but they are restricted to use only in specific situations.
Saline is another type of implant that is used. In 1964, it was first manufactured in France. This type of implant is filled with a sterile saline instead of a silicone gel. The saltwater mixture is akin to the fluids already in the human body.
A broken saline implant would allow saline to escape and spill into the body. If a saline implant ruptures, unlike silicone gel, the body absorbs the saline and ultimately flushes it out by urination. Additionally, should a crack occur, saline implants are much less complicated to remove than silicone gel implants. The value of saline was that it minimized the incision required to insert the implant. A small incision is all that's needed because the implant is put into the body and then injected with saline.
Rippling and wrinkling of the skin are cosmetic problems prone to saline implants. Saline implants are currently approved for unrestricted use.
Originally, the first implant shape was round. Today it is still the most widely used shape of implant used. Once in a while after surgery, an implant will turn inside the breast. Unlike other implant shapes, round implants that rotate will not show noticeable change in the way your breasts look. A common complaint to round implants is the greater fullness on the top of the breast, unlike a natural breast shape. A benefit to round implants is that they are normally cheaper than other implant shapes.
The anatomical is the second most requested implant shape. Teardrop shape is another term to describe it. These implants are fuller at the bottom than at the top. They are intended to replicate the natural shape of real breasts. The breast shape will be noticeably affected if an anatomically shaped implant turns around. Correcting the rotation may involve minor surgery in such cases.
If you are considering implants purely for cosmetic reasons, you may be restricted to saline implants. The determination depends upon your specific situation.
The more requested of the two implants by far is silicone gel but the FDA has limited their use for only a small number of circumstances. In the future, when the FDA has gathered enough research, they will approve silicone gel implants for unrestricted use. Meanwhile, consult with a surgeon so he can access if silicone gel implants are allowed in your situation.
If you are considering breast enhancement surgery, one of the most important things to decide is how and where exactly you want the implants to be placed. Over the years, the placement of breast implants has evolved into several different options, allowing patients a helpful array of choices to fit their preferences and body types. These now include subglandular, subpectoral and submuscular placements.
Subglandular:
This technique has many names including retroglandular, submammary, and "over the muscle." Subglandular is the basic and oldest method of breast implants placement. The implants are inserted above the pectoral muscles but underneath the mammary gland and normal breast tissues. Because the implants are in the same spot as the natural breast tissue, this generally creates the most natural looking breasts. It is also the simplest type of placement as it does not affect any muscle. This means less bruising and faster recovery. Subglandular placement can also reduce a sagging look (ptosis) for some women. The downsides though, are that over the muscle implants make mammography difficult and makes cancer and other problems harder to detect. Subglandular breast enhancements are also more likely to experience capsular contracture. The body's tissue will naturally form a capsule or lining around the implant. For some reason, the lining eventually starts to contract or shrink, and this is particularly true with subglandular implants. Another risk is that there will be skin rippling because the implant is so close to the surface.
Subpectoral:
Next, you have the subpectoral, also known as "under the muscle" as the implant is inserted partially under the pectoralis major muscle. This placement decreases the chance of capsular contracture and reduces the risk of rippling under the skin because the implant is partially shielded from the skin by muscle. There may still be some rippling at the bottom of the implant where the muscle does not completely cover it. Also implants in this position may look less natural, especially for those who already have some sagging. In some cases, this can create a double bubble, meaning there is one bulge of breast up high, and another bulge down below the implant. The result may mean the necessity of a breast lift to correct the problem.
Submuscular:
Finally, you can choose submuscular, otherwise known as "fully under the muscle" placement. In this situation, a surgeon would place the breast enhancement implants under both the pectoralis major muscle and the other surrounding muscles. This again decreases your risk of capsular contracture, reduces the risk of rippling, and allows you to get improved mammogram results because the implant is not hiding the important tissue. These implants may still be a bad choice for those with significant sagging as it can still lead to a double bubble. They also take longer to push down to the intended position after breast implant surgery.
When it comes to implant placement, you have several options. Only you and your doctor can decide which one is right for you. You can take guidance from the doctor about the correct placement and the type of implant to choose. But final decision should be yours after all it's your body and money.
Both Rowland Berrie & Abigail Aaronson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Rowland Berrie has sinced written about articles on various topics from Beauty Tips. Learn more at: ,. Rowland Berrie's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.
Abigail Aaronson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Breast Enlargements, Tummy Tucks Before and After and Rhinoplasty. Envision Breast Implant Sizing System provides you relevant information on and the importance of proper plac. Abigail Aaronson's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.