How Do Silicone Breast Implants Impact Your Body?

If you feel that your breasts lack the aesthetic appearance that you have always wanted or you have experienced weight fluctuations/ pregnancy/ breastfeeding, which has taken a toll on your breast appearance, it may lead to low self-esteem and stress. Cosmetic surgeries are at times required to correct your breasts’ appearance. Many times, the woman experiences drastic volume loss in the breasts for which a breast augmentation surgery, either with silicone implants or a fat transfer procedure, is performed. These procedures are customized and the procedure of choice depends on the body profile of the woman, the extent of breast laxity and amount of volumization required. Dr Karishma Kagodu, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Karishma Aesthetics takes us through it.

Breast enhancement surgery is one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures globally, used for women who want larger breasts or sometimes want volume enhancement with minimal breast lift. Sometimes, silicone breast implants are used for woman post-breast cancer surgery. Mastectomy is followed up with Breast reconstruction using the patient’s own tissue in conjunction with breast implants for added volume.

Before giving insight into how silicone breast implants impact your body, it is important to know implants are of two types, called saline and silicone implants. In the last decade, only silicone implants are being used. Latest 4^th generation implants are extremely sturdy, with super smooth nanaotexture surface technology making implants highly biocompatible with human tissues. All implants have a form stable silicone gel inside (means that the silicone does not leak out).The best part of latest silicone implants are that they are Ergonomic ( look & feel natural, designed to take the natural shape of your breast and move naturally with your body).

As far as the impacts of silicone breast implants are concerned on the patients’ body, silicone implants have been approved for their safety, effectiveness, and quality based on years of scientific research. A very important fact must be considered to avoid the associated risks of breast implants: the FDA requires you to be above 18 years for a silicone breast implant. The age factor is considered to check the development of breasts. The breasts should be developed fully and must cross the maturity stage to receive the best results of a successful breast augmentation surgery.

The silicone implants may impact your body in the ways as: 

1. Safety pointSilicone implants are less likely to develop visible creases or wrinkles under the skin, especially for those with less breast tissue. The case of capsular contracture (hardening of the breast around the implant) is very low. This capsular contracture is a result of years of wear and tear of the implant). Like any foreign body , implants also become old and their shell gets weak. Today’s good quality implants like Motiva/ Sebbin have very low rates of Capsular contracture. Many companies like Motiva Implants are covered by the “Always Confident Warranty against rupture for the lifetime of the device.
2. EffectivenessSilicone implants look and feel more natural, as silicone gel is like human tissue and mimics the natural fat in breasts. Moreover, silicone implants are available in various shapes, sizes, and firmness levels. Silicone implants typically last up to 10-15 years. However, individual experience may vary from patient to patient, as some implants may last for 20 years or more.Note:The ASPS and ISAPS surgeons recommend removing or replacing implants within this time frame to avoid unwanted complications. However this is not a rule. You can keep your silicone implants as many years, as long as it feels and looks natural. They only need to be changed if one starts experiencing discomfort/ pain in breasts/ change in shape due to capsular contracture or the breast feels hard.

3. QualitySilicone breast implants is a FDA-approved Medical grade 3 device. These implants require change only if breast shape changes due to aging, weight fluctuations, pregnancies/ breast feeding, which may affect the look of your implant due to the expansion and shrinkage of your breast tissues.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration recommends routine monitoring with ultrasound or MRI after 5 to 6 years, then every 2 to 3 years afterward. 

Possible side effects immediately following breast implant surgery, such as pain, swelling, bruising, bleeding, or infection, may occur, which can be effectively managed with post-op medications. However, some side effects may be associated with silicone implants, i.e., silent ruptures, which are without symptoms, requiring regular check-ups and periodic MRI scans. In a wear or tear case, a torn silicone implant might cause breast pain, breast thickening, or changes in the shape of the breast, requiring breast implant removal, and a new implant can usually be put at the same time.

Key Notes About Silicone Implants:

1. Silicone implants will not prevent you from sagging breasts due to age. However, breast lift surgery can be considered to address sagging breasts.
2. Silicone implants typically last up to 10-12 years, but can be kept for longer if they look and feel normal. They may need removal or replacement for several reasons, such as silent rupture, capsular contracture, aging, weight changes, or post-pregnancy.
3. Breastfeeding after silicone implants is safe and possible. There is no scientific evidence that silicone implants pose a risk to infants. Moreover, the surgical technique used to place the implants, makes it very safe and the implant is nowhere near the milk-producing ducts.
4. If your implants need to be removed, it can be simply replaced with new ones through the same old scar. Sometimes ancilliary procedures like breast lift may be needed if the woman has experienced sagging of breast over the years due to reasons mentioned above.