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A breast implant is a prosthesis used to enlarge the size of a woman's breasts (known as breast augmentation) for cosmetic reasons, to reconstruct the breast. Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the world.
There are two primary types of breast implants: saline filled and silicone gel filled implants. Saline implants have a silicone elastomer shell filled with sterile saline liquid. Silicone gel implants have a silicone shell filled with a viscous silicone gel.
Saline-filled breast implants were first manufactured in France in 1964,
Saline-filled implants are the most common implant used in the United States due to restrictions on silicone implants, but are rarely used in other countries. Good to excellent results may be obtained, but as compared to silicone gel implants, saline implants are more likely to cause cosmetic problems such as rippling, wrinkling, and be noticeable to the eye or the touch. Particularly for women with very little breast tissue, or for post-mastectomy reconstruction, plastic surgeons believe that silicone gel implants are the superior device. In patients with more breast tissue, however, saline implants can look very similar to silicone gel.
Evaluation of "gummy bear" or solid, high-cohesive, form-stable implants is in preliminary stages in the United States but these implants have been used longer in other countries. Plastic surgeons believe that the greater gel cohesion in these implants is likely to significantly reduce the possibility of silicone migration. Early reports of these devices have shown significant improvements in safety and efficacy, over the older implants.
Breast augmentation is a body procedure that enlarges small breasts, or re-balances breasts of different size or proportion. Implants add fullness to breasts that have decreased in size or begun to sag due to age or pregnancy. New implant technologies create a more natural look than ever before.
Breast reduction is a body procedure that corrects unusually large or sagging breasts, which often interfere with a woman's normal function and physical activity. Unusually large breasts can cause chronic back pain, postural problems, deformities of the back and shoulders, and more. Generally viewed as a reconstructive procedure, breast reduction can also aesthetically improve the shape of the breasts and nipple areas.
The breast lift procedure (mastoplexy) is a body procedure that raises and re-contours loose, sagging breasts. Women often elect this surgery after losing a considerable amount of weight, or after losing volume and tone in their breasts after having children.