Silicone breast implants are used in plastic surgery to enhance the appearance of breasts or to reconstruct breast tissue removed during surgical procedures such as a mastectomy. Breast augmentation can also lift breasts that have become smaller after breastfeeding or correct discrepancies in breast size. Silicone breast implants are considered safe and were approved by the FDA in 2006 for use in the United States.
Silicone Shell
A silicone breast implant has an elastic silicone shell filled with liquid silicone. A saline breast implant has an elastic silicone shell filled with sterile saline. A saline breast implant may be prefilled or filled during or after surgery; silicone breast implants are always prefilled.
Shape and Size
Breast implants are available in a variety of sizes and profiles. Before you choose a breast implant, talk with your surgeon about both. Choose an implant that is appropriate for your body for the most natural-looking results.
Age Requirements
Your breasts continue to grow and change during your late teens and early 20s. Both silicone and saline breast implants can be used for reconstruction in women of any age. However, for augmentation, women must be 22 or older to receive silicone breast implants but only 18 or older to receive saline implants. According to the FDA, the difference in age requirements is because of difference in risks between the two types of implants.
Placement
Silicone breast implants may be placed either above or below the chest muscle wall. They may be placed using any of the three common incision types, depending on the implant you select and your body type. The three common incision types are transaxillary (in the armpit), inframammary (in the fold underneath the breast) and periareolar (in the area just outside the areola of the breast). Some surgeons also use a trans-umbilical (in the belly button) incision.
Rupture
A rupture or leak of a silicone breast implant may develop spontaneously or as the result of a blow to the chest. The rupture or leak may not produce any symptoms. Regular MRIs are performed to check for leaks or ruptures.
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