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Interestingly,breast implants have been around since the late 1950s. However, as the surgery became moreacceptable in the early 1960s, different materials made from plastic foam wereused. Unfortunately, problems arose asair within the implants would collapse, resulting in the implant becoming tightand uncomfortable. While the concept ofbreast augmentation was a good one, doctors knew they needed a better materialwith which to use.
Overthe years, various breast implants were developed in various styles, sizes, andmaterials. Soon, the standard implantwas made from rubber, which came in different styles such as coated barrier,smooth, textured, single, double, or covered using foam made frompolyurethane. Eventually, a dual lumenimplant was developed, which were balloons that were filled with siliconewithin one housing unit and saline in the other unit.
Withthe evolution of this cosmetic surgery, we saw three specific generations ofimplants to include:
? Generation One ?First generation breast implants were made with a two-section elastomer filledwith a silicone gel. Initially, it wasbelieved that the implant would need to be connected to tissue to keep it inplace. To prevent scarring, patches wereused but these often caused tightening that was uncomfortable. By the early part of 1970, it was determinedthe patch to be unnecessary.
? Generation Two ?With time, the thickness of the shell and consistency of the silicone werechanged. As a result, the shells werenot as thick and the gel suppler. Whilethe appearance was much more natural, there was also an increase in breakage.
? Generation Three? Breast augmentation surgery was being done in the late 1980s using yetanother implant design, one that was stronger and less likely to break. The major change was the gel inside beingcohesive, meaning if the implant sac or shell were to break, the gel would notleak out.
Womennow have the choice of silicone or saline breast implants, both with advantagesand disadvantages. The evolution ofimplants has been so successful that the number of women choosing breastenhancement surgery is skyrocketing. Although there are many women and surgeons who still prefer saline, withthe new FDA approved gel implant, studies now show that as much as 85 percentof plastic surgeons prefer this choice. The result is a natural looking and feeling breast with little chance ofdamage. In fact, breast augmentation is so popular, it is estimated that morethan 4 million women in the