Silicone Breast Implants Are Back!

Over half of the women we see decide to use silicone implants rather than saline since the recent FDA re-approval in 2006.

The Facts About Silicone Implants
In the early 1990’s, silicone breast implants were removed from the market due to safety concerns but the data that has been gathered since that time has proven these implants to be safe. This data was gathered over 14 years through an adjunct study that allowed the use of silicone implants for only very select patients. Dr. Reath was one of the plastic surgeons who participated in this study, and has been using silicone cohesive gel breast implants since that time.

Now we can offer silicone breasts implants as long as you are over the age of 22. (The reason for this is that the FDA feels that in some women breast development may not be complete until age 22.) Silicone implants can also be used in women of any age seeking breast reconstruction, or the correction of developmental abnormalities, including breast asymmetry.

Four Advantages of Silicone Breast Implants:

1.     They are softer and have a more natural feel.
2.     They have a slightly lower deflation rate.
3.     They don’t ripple.                   
4.     They are more easily used above the muscle (subglandular).

The Downside of Silicone Breast Implants:

1.     It is harder to detect when they rupture.
2.     They require a longer incision.
3.     They cost more.
4.     The filler could be considered “less physiologic”.

Video Demonstration:

The best way to illustrate the properties of a silicone cohesive gel implant is by watching this brief video. We have cut a MemoryGel™ implant in half to plainly show how the material holds together uniformly (no leaking) while still retaining the natural give of breast tissue. It does this because of a cohesive, gelatin-like substance that acts as a solid rather than a liquid.

Breast Augmentation: Helpful Pages on Our Site

How to Evaluate Breast Augmentation Before and After Pictures. Click Here.

 
Before and After Breast Augmentation: Complete Gallery of Photos

 
The Fun Part: Trying on Breast Implant Sizers. Click Here for Tips.
 

Breast Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions. Click Here.


Letters from Actual Breast Augmentation Patients. Click Here to Read our Inbox.
 

Have you read our new ebook? "A Girlfriend's Guide to Breast Augmentation" is 33-pages of everything you need to know about breast augmentation... plus some fun stuff to lighten things up! It's written by some girlfriends in the know...Dr Reath's office staff. It's a must-read for anyone considering breast augmentation.

Trans-Umbilical Breast Augmentation: Never an Option with Silicone
Recently we have gotten some questions about breast augmentation through the belly button which is known as trans-umbilical breast augmentation or "TUBA". This is a procedure that Dr. Reath does not perform or recommend. In fact, this approach is not even an option for silicone breast implants. To understand more, read Dr. Reath's recent blog post "Why I Don't Do Trans-Umbilical Breast Augmentation."

The History of Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants were first introduced in 1962 (first produced by Dow Corning). Both the outer shell and the silicone used to fill the implants have been much improved over the the generations. For example, changes in the shell have proven to decrease the silicone “bleed,” (the amount of silicone that is shed by the implant) while the silicone fill has become more cohesive during the development and generations of implants. These changes explain why in a recent study, scientists found more traces of silicone in canned infant formula than in breast milk from augmented patients with silicone implants!

We currently use the Fourth generation (1993 to present) silicone breast implants. They contain a cohesive silicone gel in a thick, low bleed shell. Although the FDA approval for cosmetic breast augmentation is recent, don’t be concerned that the Fourth Generation implants are new to us. They are the same ones we have been using in the study patients. So you can be confident that they are safe. Also, Dr. Reath has been using silicone implants since 1986 (even longer than this if you consider his training) he has extensive history with silicone implants.

PS: There is a fifth generation implants also known as “gummy bear implants” which are undergoing clinical trials so you may hear more about these in the future.

Now that you know the differences in the implants themselves, you can understand that there are not inserted the same way and they behave differently after the surgery too. Especially if you are considering silicone implants, make sure your doctor has experience working with them.

Have a question about silicone breast implants? Ask Dr. Reath.

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For exceptional breast augmentation surgery with silicone or saline implants near Knoxville, Tennessee, please consider Dr. David Reath. We offer the latest advances in aesthetic surgical care to help you look and feel your best.

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