Silicone Breast Implants

Both silicone implants and saline implants have an outer shell that is made from silicone, which is a type of rubber. However, silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel, which is semi-solid. Saline breast implants are filled with salt water.

Advantages to Silicone Implants
Since silicone is semi-solid, it looks more like real breast tissue than saline. When placed under the muscle, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between a silicone breast implant and real breast tissue. Silicone is less likely than saline to move around inside the breast implant, so “rippling” or wrinkling is rare.

Risks Related to Silicone Implants
Sometimes, a silicone breast implant may rupture, and the silicone gel will leak into the capsule surrounding the implant. Rupture of a silicone breast implant can be caused by natural aging of the implant, or it can be related to trauma, such as a blow to the chest.

If an implant ruptures, the silicone gel may be contained within the scar capsule that has formed around the implant, or it may leak outside the capsule. If any type of leaking occurs, it may be necessary to remove or replace the implant. Your insurance company may not cover breast implant removal, and will likely not cover breast implant replacement, even if the rupture was caused by trauma.

Breast Implant Facts
There are some things you need to consider before having breast augmentation surgery. These include the following:

• Many breast changes are permanent. If you decide to have your breast implants removed, you may experience dimpling, wrinkling, puckering, or other cosmetic changes to your breast.
• Breast implants may affect your ability to nurse your children.
• Breast implants can interfere with routine mammography screenings.
• If you undergo breast enlargement surgery for cosmetic reasons, your health insurance premiums may increase, or your coverage may be dropped or denied. Complications related to breast implants may not be covered. Check with your insurance company before undergoing breast augmentation, or any other type of cosmetic surgery.

Discuss your breast implant options, and the risks and benefits of each type of implant, with your plastic surgeon during your breast augmentation pre-surgical consultation. To find a board certified plastic surgeon near you, use our Plastic Surgeon Locator.

References
1. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org

Breast Implant Topics:
Breast Implant Overview | Breast Implant Information | Breast Implant Shapes and Textures | Breast Implant Sizes | Silicone Breast Implant Safety | Choosing Breast Implants | Breast Implant Capsular Contracture | Breast Implant FAQ | Breast Implant Types | Saline Breast Implants | Silicone Breast Implants | Gummy Bear Breast Implants | Sex Reassignment Breast implant