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Silicone Breast Implants
What is Silicone Breast Implant?
Silicone breast prosthesis is a highly preferred prosthesis for breast augmentation and breast reconstruction procedures. These implants, known for their natural look and feel, are filled with silicone gel that closely mimics the feel of human fat. With this material, which is used in silicone implants and mimics the human breast, an extremely natural appearance is obtained after the operation.
Silicone implants come in various sizes and shapes (round or teardrop-shaped) to suit different body types and aesthetic goals. Compared to other types of implants, such as saline implants, silicone breast implants are preferred because of their shape, softness and natural feel.
How are Silicone Breast Implants Inserted?
- Consultation and Planning: The surgeon listens to the patient’s expectations, examines the breast anatomy and recommends the appropriate size and shape of the implant.
- Anaesthesia: The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia.
- Incision: Incisions are made in inconspicuous areas to minimize visible scarring. Common incision sites include under the breast (inframammary), around the nipple (periareolar), or under the arm (transaxillary).
- Inserting and Placing the Implant: The implant is inserted through the incision and placed behind each breast, either under the breast tissue or beneath the chest muscle.
- Closing the Incisions: Incisions are closed with sutures or surgical tape.
The operation typically takes one to two hours. Postoperative recovery time may vary from patient to patient. Rest and limited physical activity during the healing process are important for the rapid healing of the stitches in the surgically intervened areas.
Benefits
- Natural Look and Feel: Silicone implants are known for their natural appearance and texture.
- Durability and Longevity: High-quality silicone implants have a low risk of rupture and can last many years.
- Versatility in Shapes and Sizes: Available in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet diverse aesthetic preferences.
- High Patient Satisfaction: We receive a high level of satisfaction feedback from many of our patients regarding the results of silicone breast augmentation surgery.
Silicone breast implants are suitable for women over the age of 22 seeking breast augmentation or reconstruction. Patients need to understand the surgical risks, implant maintenance, and follow-up requirements.
Silicone Breast Implants
Duration
When it comes to cosmetic surgery, one of the most important issues affecting our final decision to undergo surgery is how permanent the surgical result is. As a result, cosmetic surgeries are generally not medically compulsory surgeries. It is quite natural that we want to get maximum benefit with our surgical result.
Breast augmentation surgery with silicone prosthesis, which is one of the methods used for breast augmentation surgery, is preferred by many women because it is much longer lasting than breast augmentation with fat injection. However, at the decision stage, we often receive questions such as whether silicones remain for life, how often silicones are replaced.
With the developing technology in the field of aesthetics, lifetime guaranteed silicones are now produced by many companies. Therefore, there is no certain time limit in which silicone prostheses must be replaced. Prostheses can be used with the knowledge of the doctor if no problems are seen in breast MRI scans that should be done regularly.
However, even if there are no complications, silicones may sag over the decades due to weight change and the effect of gravity, moving away from their first day’s appearance. Changes in aesthetic tastes over time are another possibility. Therefore, the ideal is to change silicone implants every 10 years, even if there is no problem with the implants.
When to remove silicone breast implants
Just like using a breast prosthesis, removing it can also be a choice, sometimes a necessity. Whatever the reason, our priority should always be to have the operation performed by an experienced surgeon in an operating theatre environment. In this part of our article, let’s take a closer look at the common reasons that require breast prosthesis replacement surgery:
Prosthesis Replacement: Our breast prostheses are soft and flexible materials and can wear out and deform over time. In the advanced stages of wear, it may need to be replaced for reasons such as leakage of the gel or liquid inside. Most companies now offer a lifetime guarantee for breast prostheses made in recent years. However, of course, it is still possible to experience problems with prostheses due to manufacturing defects or surgical errors. In the case of silicone rupture, which is generally known as “rupture of the prosthesis” or “silicone explosion”, our prosthesis must be replaced. In some cases, we see that the silicone prosthesis slips and displaces over time. In such cases, if the existing prosthesis can be used, it should be repositioned.
Size and Shape Change: Do not forget that not only our silicone prostheses, but also we and our aesthetic understanding can change over time. We may now want a larger or smaller breast prosthesis. Even if we are happy with the size, we may want to change the shape of our implants: for example, a drop model instead of a round model or vice versa. Another strong possibility is that we have changed physically, even if everything is perfect. For example, we may have gained or lost weight after surgery, or we may have experienced a pregnancy and labour. Therefore, the result we obtained with surgery may also be deformed over the years due to weight change and the effect of gravity. In such cases, our breast prostheses may need to be replaced with prostheses more suitable for our current situation.
Complications: Complications under breast implants may require replacement surgery. These complications may include implant displacement (prosthesis dislocation), capsular contracture (tissue hardening around the silicone prosthesis), fluid leakage or infection. In case of such complications, an immediate surgical intervention is required.
Aesthetic Corrections: The final appearance of the implants placed in our breast augmentation surgery after the swelling and oedema have completely disappeared may not be aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, the prostheses may need to be replaced to achieve a better aesthetic result. Over time, due to the effect of gravity, a sagging may have occurred independently of our breast implants. In such cases, if we have decided to have a breast lift surgery, we may also want the implants to be renewed while we are ready to undergo surgery for this operation.
New Technologies and Materials: Technological advances, of course, continue non-stop in the field of aesthetic surgery. As such, breast prosthesis technology is constantly developing and renewing itself. Of course, the silicone implants used years ago are not the same as those used now. Therefore, we may want to replace our old silicone prostheses with newer and more advanced prosthesis models.
Breast prosthesis replacement surgery is an important but not difficult surgery that can be performed by an experienced surgeon in a suitable operating theatre environment. Regardless of the reason for having surgery, we should definitely have our surgery performed by an experienced and successful surgeon and in a hospital environment in order to avoid any complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are silicone breast implants?
Silicone breast implants are medical devices used to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breasts through surgical insertion.
How do silicone breast implants differ from saline implants?
Silicone implants are filled with a silicone gel, while saline implants are filled with a sterile saline solution. Silicone implants are known for their more natural feel and appearance compared to saline implants.
Are silicone breast implants safe?
Silicone breast implants are approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in many countries, including the United States. Extensive studies have been conducted to evaluate their safety, and they are considered safe for use in breast augmentation and reconstruction surgeries. However, like any medical device, they come with risks, and patients should be aware of these risks before undergoing surgery.
What are the risks associated with silicone breast implants?
Risks associated with silicone breast implants include capsular contracture (the formation of scar tissue around the implant), implant rupture or leakage, changes in breast or nipple sensation, implant displacement, and the possibility of needing additional surgeries in the future. Additionally, there have been concerns in the past about the association between silicone implants and certain autoimmune or connective tissue disorders, but numerous studies have not found conclusive evidence linking silicone implants to these conditions.
How long do silicone breast implants last?
Silicone breast implants are not considered lifetime devices, and they may need to be replaced or removed at some point in the future. While some implants may last for many years without complications, others may require removal or replacement due to issues such as rupture, capsular contracture, or changes in the appearance of the breasts over time. The lifespan of silicone breast implants can vary depending on factors such as the individual’s body, lifestyle, and the specific type of implant used.
Can silicone breast implants affect mammograms or breast cancer detection?
Silicone breast implants can make it more challenging to perform and interpret mammograms, potentially leading to less accurate results. However, specialized techniques can be used to obtain clearer images in women with breast implants. It’s essential for women with breast implants to inform their healthcare providers about their implants before undergoing mammography so that appropriate techniques can be used. Silicone breast implants do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer, but they can make it more difficult to detect breast cancer during mammography.
What is the recovery process like after silicone breast implant surgery?
Recovery from silicone breast implant surgery typically involves some discomfort, swelling, and bruising, which can last for several weeks. Patients may need to take pain medications and wear a supportive surgical bra during the initial recovery period. It’s essential to follow the surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully and attend follow-up appointments to monitor healing and detect any potential complications. Most patients can resume normal activities gradually within a few weeks after surgery, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks to allow for proper healing.
Author: Erkan Kural
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