1. What is an implant made of?

There are two types of implants, saline (salt water) or Silicone Gel. Both types of implants have a "shell" and then a filler on the inside of that shell. The shell for both implants is made of a solid silicone elastomer (this is not the same silicone that people were concerned about in the nineties). Silicone Gel or Saline breast implants have different thicknesses of this shell. The inside of the implants is also different.

The saline implants are filled with salt water inside and the silicone gel implants are filled with silicone gel. The silicone gel that is used today is very different from that used in the past (see video at Dr. Bivik Shah' s website in the media center at www.instituteplasticsurgery.com), because it is much thicker. That way it stays in the same place if the shell breaks down.


2. Is having silicone in the body safe?

Today' s silicone implants are very safe. Silicone is a natural substance in the body. We all have tiny amounts of silicone in our body. Also, silicone is used for medical purposes throughout the body such as artificial hearts, knees, and iv s. However, for breast implants, during the 1990' s we were unsure if they were safe. So they were taken off the market for 15 years to study them. Then in 2006, there was enough information to say they were safe to use, and therefore the FDA approved them. Silicone implants do not cause any diseases, cancer, or any other medical issues that we know.


3. If silicone does not make people ill, why do the suits continue?

The lawsuits revolve around a the 2nd generation silicone implants that are no longer used, Also, the lawsuits did not center around implants making people ill, but rather the lawsuits claimed that Dow Corning (now out of business) did not do the appropriate research before putting the implants out on the market. Also, because the legal system is so slow, in some countries, the lawsuits are just coming to trial.


4. What are the pros and cons of saline fill vs silicone gel fill?

Both types of saline and silicone breast implants have good and bad points. Silicone breast implants give a more natural looking and feeling breast. In fact, it' s almost hard to tell there is an implant on the inside by feel or look. The things to keep in mind is that silicone implants have a history that is controversial, but in 2006 the FDA approved them, because they evaluated them to be safe. The FDA also recommends (so you don' t have to) that you get an MRI every two years after the first three years. Also, the incision is longer (about 2 inches), and they cost a little more.

Saline breast implants have been around for over 30 years and have never had any question of safety. If they leak, it' s just salt water so your body will drink it up and you will urinate it out. They give a wonderful result and feel very close to natural breast tissue. The things to keep in mind about saline implants is that they will (though, it might be 7 - 10 years) develop rippling at some point. You will be able to feel the implant at the bottom of the breast.


5. Can salt-water filled implants harden like the silicone-filled ones?

Unfortunately, both silicone and saline breast augmentation implants can harden. Also, the chance that they harden is the same for both, about 2- 3 % for your life.