Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Blog | Dr. Linderman

Breast augmentation is one of the popular procedures performed in cosmetic surgery. Women who wish to improve the breast size and shape are typical patients for breast enhancement surgery. The modern age of breast augmentation begin in the 1960s with the development of the silicone gel implant by Cronin and the inflatable saline implant by Jenny. Although these implants have undergone some modification since their original development, they are still very similar to the original implants. Unfortunately the same cannot be said about FDA monitoring of these medical devices. In 1992 the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] placed severe restrictions on the use of silicone gel implants and effectively removed them from the market. After much study and research the FDA approved gel implants for all women over age 21. The original allegations that silicone gel implants posed serious health risks such as autoimmune disorders and connective tissue disease were never supported by clinical trials and research.

Saline Breast Implant

Since the removal of silicone gel implants from the general market in the early 1990s, saline breast implants have been the procedure of choice for breast augmentation. Implants have been developed in different shapes and sizes to accommodate anatomic variations in patients. Texturing of the shell of implants was developed to try to reduce the incidence of capsular contracture or breast hardness.

One of the advantages of saline implants is the ability to detect implant rupture or deflation. When a deflation occurs the implants flattens like a tire and the body safely absorbs the saline. Deflated implants are easily replaced often under local anesthesia. For most saline implants the deflation rate is around 5% over a ten-year period. Current implants are covered by a lifetime replacement warranty provided by the manufacturers.

Silicone Breast Implant

Current silicone gel implants have a similar outer shell as saline implants. However in contrast to saline implants the shell is filled with a silicone gel, which has a higher viscosity and more natural feel than saline. Recent modifications of the gel have made it more cohesive so that if a rupture were to occur, the gel tends not to migrate. Gel implants are available with texturing of the shell that in some studies has shown to decrease scar formation around the implant. Modification of the outer shell has eliminated “gel bleed” or migration microscopic amounts of gel through the outer shell. Silicone gel implants tend to have a more natural feel but require a larger incision of about 5cm to insert the implants. Rupture of a silicone gel implant is more difficult to determine and may require and MRI scan to evaluate. Silicone gel implants are more expensive.

Learn more about silicone breast implant-are they the right choice for you?
Learn more about breast augmentation incisions.

If you are considering breast augmentation surgery, contact Dr. Richard Linderman at Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for a free consultation to see if you are a candidate for this popular procedure. Dr. Linderman is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with over thirty years of experience. He has performed over 5000 breast augmentations.