Breast ImplantsAffordable Plastic Surgery in Poland
Breast Implant Description
Breast implants may vary in shell surface (smooth versus
textured), shape (round or shaped), profile (how far it
sticks out), volume (size), and shell thickness. The primary
parts of most breast implants are a shell (otherwise known
as the envelope or lumen), a filler, and a patch to cover
the manufacturing hole.
With respect to the shell design, while most breast
implants are single lumen (just the shell), some breast
implants are double lumen (one shell inside another shell).
With respect to the filler, some breast implants are
manufactured with a fixed volume of filler, some are filled
during the operation, and some allow for adjustments of the
filler volume after the operation.
It should be noted that tissue expanders, which are
silicone shells filled with saline, are regulated by FDA in
a different way than breast implants. This is because tissue
expanders are intended for general tissue expansion for a
maximum of 6 months, after which, they are to be removed.
Because of this, the design specifications (e.g., thinner
shell) and preclinical testing recommendations are different
for tissue expanders than for breast implants. Tissue
expanders are not to be confused with the third type of
double lumen silicone gel filled breast implants described
in the Silicone gel filled Breast Implants section below.
The third type of double lumen silicone gel filled breast
implant is a permanent implant (not intended to be removed)
that allows for limited tissue expansion but is regulated by
FDA as a breast implant. See that section for more details.
Below is information specific to saline-filled, silicone
gel filled, and alternative breast implants.
Saline-Filled Breast Implants
The three types of saline-filled breast implants are as
follows:
• One type is a single lumen implant that is filled during
the operation with a fixed volume of saline through a valve.
There are no adjustments of the saline volume after the
operation.
• A second type is a single lumen implant that is filled
during the operation with saline through a valve. This type
of implant allows for adjustments of the saline volume after
the operation.
• A third type is a single lumen implant that is prefilled
by the manufacturer with a fixed volume of saline. There are
no valves for filling during the operation or for
adjustments of the saline volume after the operation.
The silicone rubber shell for a saline-filled breast
implant has the following general composition:
• cured polymeric (large) silicones
• approximately 20% of finely powdered silica that is
tightly bound to the silicone polymers
• small amounts of smaller silicones
• minute amounts (parts per million) of metals, including a
metal catalyst (usually tin, zinc, or platinum) (A catalyst
is something that causes a change in material.)
• traces of readily evaporating materials (volatiles), such
as xylene and other organic compounds.
The filler is sterile saline that should conform to United
States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards for Normal Physiological
Saline (injection grade). 2
Silicone gel filled Breast Implants
The three types of silicone gel filled breast implants
are as follows:
• One type is a single lumen implant that is prefilled by
the manufacturer with a fixed volume of silicone gel.
• A second type is a double lumen implant with (1) an inner
lumen prefilled by the manufacturer with a fixed volume of
silicone gel and (2) an outer lumen that is filled during
the operation with a fixed volume of saline through a valve.
• A third type is a double lumen implant with (1) an outer
lumen prefilled by the manufacturer with a fixed volume of
silicone gel and (2) an inner lumen that is filled during
the operation with saline through a valve. This type of
implant allows for adjustments of the saline volume after
the operation.
A silicone gel filled breast implant has a silicone rubber
shell with the same general composition as shown in the
Saline-Filled Breast Implants section above.
The filler is silicone gel that has the general
composition of:
• silicone oil
• cured polymeric (large) silicones
• small amounts of uncured large and smaller silicones
• minute amounts (parts per million) of metals, including a
metal catalyst (usually platinum). (A catalyst is something
that causes a change in material.)
Alternative Breast Implants
An alternative breast implant typically has a silicone
rubber shell with a filler other than saline or silicone
gel. The filler material may or may not be a gel. An
alternative breast implant may also have an alternative
shell other than one made from silicone rubber.
Breast Enlargement :
Breast Reduction :
Breast Uplift : Brow Lift :
Chin Implant :
Ear Surgery :
Eyelid
Surgery : Face
Lift :
Liposuction :
Male Breast Reduction :
Rhinoplasty :
Tummy Tuck
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General Description of Breast Implant Surgery
Breast implant surgery can be performed on an outpatient
(not in the hospital) basis or in a hospital. It can be done
under local anesthesia (only the breast area is numbed) or
under general anesthesia (put to sleep or not aware of
having surgery).
Breast implant surgery can last from one to several hours
depending on your particular case (your condition, implant
choice, incision site, implant placement, etc.).
If the surgery is done in a hospital, the length of the
hospital stay will vary according to the type of surgery,
the development of any postoperative (after surgery)
complications, and your general health. The length of the
hospital stay may also depend on the type of coverage your
insurance provides.
Before breast implant surgery, the plastic surgeon will
discuss with you the extent of surgery, the estimated time
it will take, and the choice of treatment for pain and
nausea.
After Breast Implant Surgery
Your doctor should describe the usual postoperative
recovery process, the possible complications that can arise,
and the expected recovery period. Following the operation,
as with any surgery, you can expect some pain, swelling,
bruising, and tenderness. These complications may last for a
month or longer, but they should disappear with time. In
addition, scarring is a natural outcome of surgery. Ask your
doctor to describe the location, size, and appearance of the
scars you can expect to have. For most women, scars will
fade over time to thin lines, although the darker your skin,
the more prominent the scars are likely to be.
The plastic surgeon may prescribe medications for pain
and nausea. Some women may experience bleeding and some may
experience fever, warmth, or redness of the breast, or other
symptoms of infection. You should report these symptoms
immediately to your doctor. Your doctor should tell you
about wound healing and how to care for your wound. Drains
may be used for a few days.
You may need a post-operative bra, compression bandage,
or jog bra for extra support and positioning while you heal.
At your doctor's recommendation, you will most likely be
able to return to work within a few days, although you
should avoid any strenuous activities that could raise your
pulse and blood pressure for at least a couple of weeks. The
plastic surgeon may also recommend breast massage exercises.
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