Silicone breast implants have been used since the 1960s to augment the size of a woman’s breasts. Silicone is a combination of organic and inorganic compounds, which create a highly stable and inert substance. This substance is soft, pliable and was thought to be an excellent substitute for natural anatomical tissue. Silicone implants have evolved rapidly and continue to change and adapt to a variety of surgical needs today.
This resource section contains an assortment of dialogs that profile silicone implant prosthetics from the first generation to the most recent incarnation.
Silicone Breast Implant History
The first silicone surgical implants were developed by 2 Texas surgeons: Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow. These doctors worked closely with their sponsor, The Dow Corning Corporation. The first surgical breast augmentation, using silicone implants, was performed in 1962. The original silicone implants had an anatomical teardrop shape, a thick outer shell and viscous silicone gel inside. The first implant was thought to be too hard and was redesigned in the 1970s to be softer and more pliable. These next generation implants had a thinner shell and a thinner liquid-like silicone as a filler material. These were the implants most plagued by rupture and silicone migration throughout the body. The 1980s brought about further development of the silicone implant. Shells were reinforced and filler gel was made much thicker. Sizes grew and more women opted for a new generation of disproportionate breast implant surgeries.
Today’s silicone implants are the best designs thus far. Cohesive gel implants are made from a solid jelly-like material which will not bleed out of the implant shell, even if the implant is pierced or ruptured.
Silicone Implant Topics
Cohesive Silicone Gel Implants, also called gummy bear breast implants or simply cohesive silicone implants, are the newest incarnation and can not leak or rupture due to their solid jelly construction.
Many readers want to know more about silicone implant life span. Therefore, we covered the topic in this dedicated topical essay.
MemoryGel Breast Implants are a particular brand of popular prosthetics.
Silicone gel breast implants come in different varieties, with more dense gels being cited as being safer, while less dense gels are reported as being more realistic. Silicone gel implants are certainly not all created equal.
The Keller Funnel now makes it easier, faster and safer to perform breast surgery using silicone prosthetics.
Silicone Breast Implant Dangers
Silicone implants have, in the past, been associated with a variety of health risks and concerns. The list of conditions connected to breast implants includes cancer, lupus, fibromyalgia, connective tissue diseases, neurological dysfunction, autoimmune disorders and others. Ongoing research has not proven any actual link between any of these conditions and patients who have received breast implants. Another risk associated with silicone implants is exposure to platinum, which is used during the manufacturing process. Once again, no evidence was proven that this possible exposure caused any problems or created any identifiable risks to the patient.
Read our detailed informational section about breast implant safety.
Breast Implants Advisory
Silicone has endured a roller coaster ride as a surgical material in the past 50 years. Originally hailed as a miracle substance, doctors had hopes of being able to use it throughout the body for cosmetic and reconstructive applications. The material was vilified as more patients began to experience implant failure due to the thinner shells and liquid like filler material of the second generation implants in the 1970s and 1980s.
Silicone is back now in a big way, with the invention of the cohesive gel implant. These implants are used all over the body to repair, reconstruct and augment anatomical tissue. This latest generation of silicone implant will most likely improve even further in the future. Cosmetic breast surgery is a highly-profitable and specialized field. We all know that where there is money to be made, innovation is sure to flourish.
You do not need to get breast implants in order to enjoy satisfying breast enlargement. You can enlarge your breasts without surgery safely and effectively. In fact, nonsurgical enlargement is the easiest of all noninvasive breast enhancement goals. We detail the best practices in our best selling book: Better Breasts Without Surgery. You can get immediate help with your breast enlargement needs around the clock, worldwide.
