Safety of Silicone Implants

Safety of Silicone Implants

Breast implant surgery is generally done for cosmetic purposes. Women who have lost their breast due to breast cancer or the women who are unhappy with their small breasts opt for this kind of surgery. There are two types of breast implants; silicone implants and saline implants. All implants are made from a silicone shell with silicone or saline filling. Silicone gel-filled implants are also used to replace previous silicone implants. When you undergo silicone breast implants, you have to take some precautions for safety of silicone breast implants.

There are three major types of silicone implants such as single lumen fixed volume implant, double lumen inflatable implant with inner chamber pre-filled with silicone gel and outer lumen with a valve and double lumen inflatable implant with outer chamber pre-filled with silicone gel and inner lumen having a valve. As all silicone gel implants have natural shape, they give natural appearance to the breasts after surgery.
Initially, silicone gel breast implants consisted of thick silicone gel fills and thick shells. Today, silicone implants are made with multiple layers of silicone elastomer around the implant. This decreases the amount of gel bleed but it can help the implants to feel and look firmer. Silicone breast implants are pre-filled unlike saline breast implants. They are prepared in the requested size and cannot be changed.   Plastic surgeons make relatively longer incisions in many cases to insert a silicone gel filled breast implant. The surgeon cannot place the silicone implants endoscopically through a navel incision.
There may be various risks and complications in silicone breast implants. General surgical risks include allergic reaction to anesthesia, infection, hematoma, hemorrhage and skin necrosis. Some implant related risks are capsular contracture, leak or rupture, change or loss of sensation and calcium deposits. Hence, some precautions should be taken regarding safety of silicone breast implants.
Some precautions should be taken during the implant surgery. The doctor should insert a silicone gel device with a great care. An incision should be made of appropriate length to suit the size, style and profile of the implant. This will decrease the potential for applying excessive force to the implant during insertion. The device should be tested for shell integrity. The periareolar site is more hidden, but it can cause difficulties in breast feeding and also lead to changes in nipple sensation. The inframammary incision is usually less hidden, but it causes less difficulty in breast feeding. Careful hemostasis is essential to prevent hematoma formation following the surgery.
There are some post-operative precautions that should be followed for safety of silicone breast implants. After this surgical procedure, the breasts may remain swollen and sensitive to touch for about a month or longer. There may be also a feeling of tightness in the breasts until the skin adjusts new breast size. Hence, the care should be taken that any stressful activities that can increase the blood pressure should be avoided. A woman with silicone breast implants can do her normal activities after few days. Breast massage exercises are also recommended for early recovery. If a woman who has undergone a silicone breast implant surgery experiences symptoms of infection, then she should immediately consult the doctor and get proper treatment. Women with implants should avoid smoking as it can interfere with healing process. Taking care of the safety of silicone breast implants will ensure the longevity of these implants.