Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants Information Web

As of November 17, 2006, women in the U.S. aged 22 and over have the option of choosing both saline and silicone gel filled breast implants. The first implants were filled with silicone gel. As breast implants evolved, saline (salt water) became an accepted alternative fill to silicone, although silicone can look and feel more like a real breast. Whether filled with silicone gel or salt water, the shell of both types is made of a firmer, silicone elastomer.

Background: In 1992, after decades of widespread availability of silicone gel-filled breast implants, FDA Commissioner David Kessler decided that the safety of silicone breast implants had not been established and had silicone breast implants removed from the market. For 15 years, silicone gel-filled implants were available only to breast reconstruction patients and patients undergoing breast revision surgery. In order to receive silicone, women had to enrolled in clinical trials mandated by the FDA.

The ban on silicone was lifted on November 17, 2006. To read articles about the FDA's approval of silicone gel breast implants, click here (Detour - opens a separate window).

Note: Soy filled implants are no longer available. The risk of infection on rupture from this substance was too high. Some claimed they also smelled bad!

Breast Implants:
The Full Roadmap:

1. Breast Implant Fill - Saline or silicone?

Saline
Silicone

History & Controversy
Studies about Silicone Gel Breast Implants
Who Qualifies for Silicone Breast Implants?
Cohesive Gel and Gummy Bear Silicone Breast Implants

2. Breast Implant Size - How do I choose the right size?

-Methods of determining ideal breast implant size choice
-Using Nicole's Photo Gallery to help choose size
-Choosing from Implant Manufacturer Specifications

3. Breast Implant Shape

-Shapes: Round vs. Anatomical (Teardrop/Contoured/Shaped))
-Profile: Low, Moderate, High

Choosing breast implant shape may seem complicated since manufacturers have so many styles in their lineups. However, it’s really only a matter of making two choices. The first choice is the Shape; the second choice is the Profile. Shape refers to the actual shape of the implant, round or anatomical. Profile refers to the distance the implant projects off the chest wall.

4. Breast Implant Surface

Textured Surface Breast Implants
Smooth Surface Breast Implants

5. Breast Implant Profile / Projection

Moderate Profile (regular / standard)
High Profile
Low Profile
Moderate “PLUS” Profile

6. Breast Implant Manufacturers

Mentor Corporation
Inamed Aesthetics
Silimed, Inc.
Breast Implant Warranty Info
See All Implant Dimensions and Specifications

Other Implants / Considerations

Overfill
Insurance
The Inamed (McGhan) Style 410 Implant
The Mentor CPG (Contour Profile Gel) Implant
Soy
Expandable Breast Implants
Becker Double Lumen Breast Implants

Breast Implants:
Quick Links:

1. FILL - Saline v. Silicone

7. Other Considerations

The of Breast Implants