About Breast Implants

Breast implants are either silicone or saline. They both have a silicone outer shell, but the difference is what's inside. Silicone implants are filled with silicone gel, while saline or filled with saline (sterile salt water).

Silicone beast implants were introduced way back in 1962. They became extremely popular in the 1980's, as well as complaints of their risks. The FDA (Federal Drug Administration) did not evaluate medical instruments for safety at this time. There were claims of risks of ruptured implants being linked to disease. The silicone gel was said to be linked to lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and many others. Women reported that their symptoms were gone after removing implants. Lawsuits were file d against the manufacturers, although no studies confirmed a link.

In 1992, the FDA restricted use of silicone implants to women needing reconstruction after breast cancer surgery. During the next fourteen years, breast implants ewer only saline. In 2006, the FDA reversed it's decision on silicone implants allowing them to be sold. They were considered safe and effective, but there were mp real proof that they caused disease. Even still, the FDA required that the manufacturers conduct their own ten year study to look at long term effects.

There are risks with both of these implants like ruptures. They can cause by a surgical error, a fall, and also, but rarely, pressure brought on by a mammogram. Saline ruptures are a lot easier to recognize, because the breast will change it's shape over time as the fluid leaks out. The salt water is harmless to the body. With silicone implant ruptures , the silicone stays in the body and is harder to notice. It can spread to lymph nodes outside the breast. The only way to detect the leakage is by an MRI. That is why it is recommended by the FDA to get an MRI three years after implantation, and every two years thereafter.

Most people prefer the look and feel of silicone breast implants. The seem more like real breast tissue. Saline implants show more of a rippling in the skin. They are filled after they've been implanted. Silicones are prefilled before implantation. Standard silicone sizes can not be changed. Saline sizes can be larger or smaller months after, because they just add more fluid or remove fluid with a syringe.

Reconstruction can be done at any age, but augmentation is done only on 18 years or older. Only age 22 and older can get silicone implants. Keep in mind that implants do wear out and have to be replaced. They estimate that they should last at least ten years.

source: www.webMD.com