Thursday, June 4, 2009

Silicone Implants: Top Five List

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants, once forbidden in the United States, are the preferred choice for thousands of women today. After the storm of controversy raising health concerns about silicone breast implants in the 80's, the FDA banned them in 1992. Over a 14 year period silicone was only used in implants for purposes of breast reconstruction and in clinical trials. The result of these trials and improvements in the construction of the silicone implant prompted the FDA to approve them once again in 1992.

Many women today prefer the silicone implant because they tend to look and feel more natural. While you consider your options in implants, the following list will help guide you to discover the information you need to know:

Silicone Breast Implants Top 5 List:

1) Rupture of Implant. The silicone implant is less likely to rupture compared to the popular saline implant due to its thick outer shell. Technological improvements in the structure of the implant have made a more durable implant. Additionally, with the cohesive gel implant, popularly known as gummy bears, the silicone actually holds itself together upon its unlikely rupture.

2) Placement of Incision. There are three common incision methods with this type of implant. Women can choose to have the implant inserted through the armpit, under the breast fold or through the nipple. The limitation with silicone implants is that it cannot be inserted through the belly button (known as TUBA). And finally, the silicone implant requires an incision which is likely to leave a larger scar.

3) Natural look and feel. Perhaps the biggest benefit to this type of implant is that it will tend to look and feel more natural than saline. You are not as likely to have the rippling effect which can happen with the saline implant.

4) Expense. One important factor, of course, is cost. If you are thinking about silicone you are likely to spend about a thousand dollars more due to the cost of the implant.

5) The Size of Implants. Silicone implants are available in a big variety of sizes. Whether you are interested in a C cup, D cup, DD cup or larger, there is a silicone breast implant to fit you.

You should have a thorough discussion with your doctor regarding an appropriate implant size. The most common reason women go back for second or third surgeries is simply to change the size of their implant. With all the same costs and risks involved in subsequent procedures, please take your time to thoroughly work through this critical choice.

I recommend using implant sizers to help you choose a size that feels good for you. While it is important to see before and after photos on the internet, nothing can replace the value of actual experience on your own body of various implant sizes. The ideal way is to actually live with the sizer over a period of at least two weeks.

In this way you get the opportunity to deal with both the physical nature of this choice as well as the psychological issues. Women often choose an implant too small for their liking because they overestimate how big the impact will be on their family and friends. Try on different sizes until you feel comfortable that you have arrived at a size that works well for you and your body.

Silicone breast implants are an increasingly popular option in breast augmentation surgery. As you might guess, there are significant benefits to all implant types, but silicone should be given careful consideration. Have a thorough discussion with your plastic surgeon, and try on breast implant sizers to get it right the first time.

Learn more about breast augmentation by coming back to my blog every day. Learn about plastic surgery procedures performed by plastic surgeons all over the United States.