Breast Implants: Various Types

LONDON - May 1, 2015 - PRLog -- Types of Breast Implants are as follows:

Two types of breast implants are commonly used in the United Kingdom. They are:

·         Silicone Implants (Silicone gel used)

·         Saline Implants (Sterile Salt Water used)

Irrespective of the type, a sturdy silicone shell (surface of which can be smooth or textured) surrounds both implants preventing them from rupturing or splitting. These implants have their own advantages and disadvantages and chosen based on preference as well as individual scenario.

Silicone Implants

The most common one used in the UK, silicone implants exhibit varying consistency and firmness. These implants come pre-filled mostly prior to their insertion.

Advantages

·         Usage safety is thoroughly ensured

·         Available in different shapes (round or contoured)

·         Soft and supple filler allowing mobility and naturalistic feel

·         Textured surface of silicone implants reduce risk of enhanced mobility and shrinking of scar tissue in the regions surrounding the implants

Disadvantages

The silicone implant might rupture leading to the spread of scar tissue into the breast, which results in small lump formation, also called siliconomas. They are tender and can cause quite a bit of pain.

Sub-categories of silicone implants

·         Soft and Cohesive Silicone gel implants: Silicone implants can be soft or firm based on the gel used. Those filled with firmer gel are regarded as cohesive gel implants.

Advantages

The chance of leakage into the surrounding tissue is minimal in case of cohesive implants (compared to soft silicone implants).  Besides, the cohesive implants hardly suffer any wrinkles or folds retaining the proper integrity.

Disadvantages

The feel of cohesive implants is a bit less than softer implants. Moreover, the surgeon needs to make a greater incision to position the implant.

·         Polyurethane-coated Silicone Gel Implants: This type of implant is rarely used; only if a person is suffering from capsular contracture (scar tissue shrinkage), this implant is used in the corrective surgery.  The risk of capsular contracture is the least with this Polyurethane-coated Silicone Gel Implants but very few surgeons in the UK are well experienced with it.

Saline Implants

Saline Implants either come pre-filled with sterile water or can be filled by means of a valve once insertion of implants has been done.

Advantages

·         Usage safety is completely ensured

·         Saline solution being akin to body fluid allows easy absorption and excretion (in case the implant is ruptured by the body)

Available in both round and anatomical shapes

Disadvantages

·         Longevity is less; may rupture earlier than silicone implants

·         Wrinkle prone causing discomfort

·         Has an artificial look (if compared to silicone implants)

Other Types of breast Implants (http://www.harleybodyclinic.co.uk/breast-enlargement-augm...)

Implants like soya bean oil- filled or hydrogel is no more licensed to be used in the UK. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommended all women with soya bean implants to get them removed in 2000.

Hydrogel implants are no more used in the UK. However, women with those implants are not asked to get them removed but MHRA keeps their safety under scrupulous monitoring.