Breast Implants

There are a variety of breast implants with plenty of advantages and disadvantages. The choice of breast implants should be made on the basis of the patient´s desires and surgeon´s experience. Since this can be a confusing experience for women, surgeons experience must predominate. Some surgeons prefer saline implants as they may be filled with saline and can be adjusted at the time of breast augmentation surgery. However, some surgeons prefer silicone implants because saline implants have a tendency to rupture and leak with more frequent implant failure. Silicone breast implants are the most popular implants in Colombia. Breast implants are available in a variety of textures, profiles, and shapes, and implant shells come in either a smooth or textured surface.

The breast implant Silicone gel breast implant A silicone gel breast implant has an exterior sac or implant shell made of silicone elastomer. The implant is filled with silicone gel. Silicones are polymers that may have a solid, liquid or gel form and are chemically stable polymers, rust proof, thermally stable and biocompatible. Silicone is a material non-reactive to human tissue. The silicone gel implants have a soft shell and mobile content, and shells come in either a smooth or textured surface. Some gel implants are coated with polyurethane coverage. These implants have several barrier layers. Manufacturers develop new models of silicone breast implants every year. Silicone breast implants have a soft and clear external covering with no edges. This shell may be either smooth or textured. The implant´s soft shell usually is clear and transparent. While on the contrary, the textured surface implants exhibit some kind of roughness, and the implant is not transparent but translucent. Implants are encapsulated medical devices filled with liquid or semi-liquid type of silicone and may vary in shape, size and projection/profile.

Today´s silicone breast implant filler can be:

	Fixed volume silicone gel-filled breast implant.

	Double lumen 75%saline/25% silicone gel reconstruction breast implant with valve.
	Double lumen 50%saline/50% silicone gel reconstruction breast implant with valve.

In Colombia women prefer the fixed volume silicone gel-filled breast implants than the saline breast implants.

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Breast

Breast Augmentation

Breast Asymetry

Preparative Evaluation

Breast Implants

Breast implants and cancer

Breast implants – Contraindications

Breast augmentation procedures

Breast Augmentation Surgery Preparation

Frequently Asked Questions


*	Breast Reduction
*	Mastopexy Breast
*	Breast Reconstruction

Cohesive silicone gel implants

Cohesive gel breast implants are made of silicone, but these are more cohesive than implants made in the past. The silicone in the cohesive implant is a gummy jelly solid, creating a smoother and pleasing appearance. The shell is extremely strong and resistant to damage. Manufacturers offer different cohesion degrees in implant models according to patient´s needs.

Saline implants

Saline implants are those implants with an outer shell made of silicone. The shell is empty during surgery when implanted in the patient´s chest and is filled with saline solution. All saline implants have valves.

Implants can be filled in three different ways:

	Pre-filled by the manufacturer

	Fix volume implant, which is filled intraoperatively.

	Adjustable volume implant, which is filled intraoperatively with the possibility of subtle volume corrections to be performed after placement.

Although saline implants are also used, Colombian women prefer the silicone breast implants.

Sterilisation of the breast implant

Breast implants come in a sealed packaging and reliable sterilization conditions. The implant is removed from its sealed packaging only by the surgeon just in the moment to be implanted.

Dr. Nieto usually refers her patients to the breast implant manufacturer office in the city, so they can verify implant originality. Also, Dr. Nieto will give you an ID card for you to fill out with information about your implants. ID card provides important information about date of implantation, manufacturer, type, size, serial number and placement of implant used.

Breast implant placement

Breast implants can be placed either over the pectoral muscle or under it. When the implant is placed over the pectoral muscle is called subglandular because the implant is located behind the mammary gland and over the muscle. And when the implant is placed under the pectoral muscle is called subpectoral. Subpectoral implant placement is recommended when saline implants are used, because this placement gives a more natural appearance and because subpectoral implant placement may help to mask possible postoperative noises resulting from movement of saline.

Breast implants and cancer

For many years controversy has existed over whether breast implants increase the risk of breast cancer. There is no scientific evidence of an association between breast implants and breast cancer. However, the presence of breast implants may interfere with the sensitivity of screening mammography, making it more difficult to visualize breast tissue on x-ray.

It seems to be a coincidental factor that women who have had breast augmentation with implants can be later diagnosed with breast cancer. Scientifics have not found any convincing link between breast implants and breast cancer.

Breastfeeding and breast implants

Is breastfeeding possible after breast implant placement?

Women who want to have breast augmentation may be concerned whether they will be able to breastfeed their babies after the procedure or not. Breastfeeding with implants is still possible if the mammary glands persist. The periareolar incision has been suggested to interfere with future lactation, even when the mammary gland persists. Breast implants themselves do not constitute a difficulty for breastfeeding. However, the surgery procedure technique that involves placement of the implant might become an obstacle for breastfeeding.

Breast implants – Contraindications

What are the contraindications patients should consider for breast implants?

Breast implants are contraindicated for women when:

	Existing pre-malignant or malignant disease without adequate treatment.

	The patient is breastfeeding.

	The patient is pregnant.

	When there is an active infection anywhere in the body.