* the shell (the outside layer, sometimes called the envelope or lumen) * the filler (inserted into the shell) * the patch (covers the hole where the filler is inserted into the shell)
Typically the shell is made of a single layer ("single lumen"), but some implants have a double layer -- a shell within a shell ("double lumen"). Silicone Shells for Both Saline and Silicone Implants
Both silicone and saline implants have an outer shell made of silicone-rubber material. But when someone refers to a "silicone breast implant," they mean the filler of the implant, not the shell. The two types of implants used in the United States are
Currently, the use of silicone gel-filled implants is limited to patients requiring reconstructive or revision breast surgery.
Generally, the silicone-rubber shell is made of
* Cured long strands of silicones * Approximately 20 percent finely powdered silica tightly bound to the silicone polymers * Small amounts of other materials
Saline Filled Breast Implants
Saline implants are filled with a sterile saline solution -- the same type of salt water used in general surgery and for other internal purposes.
There are several types of saline-filled breast implants. These types vary depending on whether saline is prefilled before breast surgery or is filled during surgery, and whether the volume of the implant is adjustable.
Common saline implants:
1. Single lumen ("lumen" is the outside shell) -- prefilled at the factory to a fixed volume. There are no valves for filling during surgery or for adjusting after surgery. 2. Single lumen -- filled with a fixed volume of saline during surgery through a valve. After surgery there are no adjustments to the implant volume. 3. Single lumen -- filled during surgery. After surgery, the volume of the implant can be adjusted by adding or extracting saline through a valve in the implant.
Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants
The filler in silicone gel-filled breast implants is composed of silicone oil, cured large silicone, a small amount of uncured silicones, and other materials. Silicone is a very safe compound and has been widely used in a number of medical applications for many decades.
There are several types of silicone-filled breast implants:
1. Single lumen -- prefilled by the manufacturer to a specific volume of silicone gel. 2. Double lumen -- the inner lumen is prefilled by the manufacturer to a specific volume of silicone gel. The outer lumen is filled during the breast augmentation procedure with a fixed volume of silicone gel using a valve in the implant. 3. Double lumen -- the outer lumen is prefilled at the manufacturer with a fixed volume of silicone gel, while the inner lumen is filled during the procedure through a valve in the implant. This third type allows for adjustments to the filler volume after surgery. 4. The fourth type of silicone implant may appear to have no shell -- looks and feels like a semi-solid rubber gel.
Breast Implants other than Saline or Silicone
Alternative types of breast implants have a silicone rubber shell, but with a filler other than saline or silicone. Some use gel other than silicone gel. Other implants use an outer shell other than silicone rubber. None of these alternatives are approved in the United States.
Remember that breast augmentation is not permanent and breast implants do not last a lifetime. Eventually they may need to be removed and replaced with new implants. Data suggests that within ten years after surgery, up to 50 percent need to be replaced.
The durability and safety of today's implants are highly regulated by the FDA. Talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon about the best choice of implant for your breast augmentation.
There are two types of implants that are available in the market which are saline and silicone gel. Both type of implants have a silicone gel outer covering or shell but inside saline implants there is sterile saltwater whereas in the silicone gel implants there is silicone. There are two companies that have been approved by FDA to manufacture the implants namely Mentor and Allergan
Silicone implants were introduced in 1962 and but it grew in popularity after the year 1980 and had since then been the favorite for implants. In 1992 FDA banned the use of silicone gel implants as they were deemed unsafe after numerous reports came in that the rupture of the implants inside the body causes lupus and several other immunological disorders. But in 2006 the FDA reversed the decision based on the studies conducted in the period when they were banned which revealed that there was no real connection between disease and the implants.
As far as rupturing of the implants goes, the saline implants when they rupture will cause the saline saltwater to leak and there would be no harm to the body at all. The breast loses shape immediately after the leak. If the silicon implants rupture neither the doctor nor the female who has implants can get to know if there is a leakage. You need to get an MRI done to know that. The silicones from the implant may have spread and gone into the lymph nodes. But there have been studies which have suggested that there is no danger of disease because of rupture.
Silicone implants have some amount of platinum in them and which may be dangerous though most studies have suggested that it is not true.
As far as ease is concerned the saline implants are filled after they are implanted and silicone gel implants are pre filled. Saline implants can be easily increased for more size or reduced for size just by injecting a needle and no surgery is required.
The look and feel of the silicone implants I definitely better than the saline implants but then you have think of various factors that could influence your decision. More so get the various pros and cons of the both type of implants and then make an intelligent and an informed decision.
Both Adrien Brody & Amit Kheterpal 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.
Adrien Brody has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Cosmetic Surgery and Breast Enlargements. Adrien Brody is a business writer specializing in health and beauty products and has written authoritative articles on the industry. To learn more about breast enhancement, make sure you visit. Adrien Brody's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.
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