Silicone Breast Implants
Carmel, Fishers, and Indianapolis, Indiana
Why are silicone breast implants becoming more popular again?
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In order to understand the increasing popularity of silicone gel breast implants, it is helpful to review the history of breast augmentation, which really began, with the development of a silicone gel implant by Drs Cronin and Gerow in 1963. Although these implants were quite popular, they were not without problems and Jenny popularized the totally inflatable saline implant in 1971. Over the next two decades both implants were modified in attempts to solve deflation, capsular contracture or breast hardness and gel bleed. Deflation was apparent with saline implants but was more difficult to determine with gel implants. Most problems were attributed to shearing forces on the implants by movement of the body causing a weakness and failure of the shell. Gel bleed was identified in 1982 and attributed to small amounts of silicone molecules passing through the shell into the surrounding capsules.
In 1990 due to questionable allegations in the media, the FDA became involved and effectively removed silicone gel implants from the US market for cosmetic breast augmentation. A large population of woman who desired breast augmentation was given the single choice of saline implants or nothing at all. Fortunately in 2006 the FDA allowed silicone gel implants back on the market. Much has changed over the years including improved surgical techniques, better intraoperative handling of implants, elimination of silicone gel bleed, better gel cohesiveness and multiple type of implants with different shapes to give patients more options.
Many patients who had originally undergone breast augmentation with saline implants now present to the plastic surgeons office with dissatisfaction over the feel of their implants or problems with implant rippling. As saline implants age the chances of implant deflation has risen. This group of patients often elects to switch to one of the newer silicone gel implants now on the market. Additionally some new patients desiring breast augmentation prefer the more natural feel of a gel implants. This choice was not available to them five years ago. Finally there are some patients with thin skin who are better candidates for breast augmentation with silicone gel implants with less likelihood of skin rippling. In conclusion a growing number of women simply like the more natural feel of a silicone gel implants.
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Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
of Indiana
12188-A North Meridian St.
Carmel, IN 46032
toll free: 1-800-678-9909
phone: 317-848-5400
Naab Road Surgery Center
8260 Naab Road
Indianapolis, IN 46260