Breast implant

Breast implant is a prosthesis used to change the size, shape, and contour of a person's breast. In reconstructive plastic surgery, breast implants can be placed to restore a natural looking breast following a mastectomy. Breast implants are also commonly used in cosmetic surgery to enhance or enlarge the appearance of the breast through breast augmentation surgery.

Types of Breast Implants

There are three general types of breast implant devices, defined by their filler material: saline solution, silicone gel, and composite filler. The saline implant has an elastomer silicone shell filled with sterile saline solution during surgery; the silicone implant has an elastomer silicone shell pre-filled with viscous silicone gel; and the alternative composition implants featured miscellaneous fillers, such as soy oil or polypropylene string.

Saline Implants

Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. They're inserted empty, and then filled once they're in place. Saline breast implants are available to women 18 and older for breast augmentation and to women of any age for breast reconstruction.

Silicone Implants

Silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel, a thick, sticky fluid that closely mimics the feel of human fat. Most women feel that silicone breast implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue. They are available to women 22 and older for breast augmentation and to women of any age for breast reconstruction.

Composite Implants

Composite implants are filled with miscellaneous fillers, such as soy oil or polypropylene string. However, these types of implants are no longer on the market.

Risks and Complications

Like any surgery, breast implant surgery has risks and complications. These may include capsular contracture, implant leakage or rupture, changes in sensation, and aesthetic dissatisfaction. Additionally, breast implants may affect the ability to breastfeed or produce accurate mammogram readings.

See Also

• Breast reconstruction
• Breast augmentation
• Mastectomy
• Plastic surgery