Breast implants are the most popular option among women looking to improve breast size and shape. Silicone gel breast implants are FDA-approved. They come pre-filled with silicone gel and require a somewhat larger incision to place it, but offer a more natural looking outcome than their saline counterpart. However, there are some common myths associated with this type of implant and it’s important to dispel them if you are considering breast augmentation.
- Silicone products are not safe to use in the body: This is wrong. Silicone has found use in a number of applications used closely with body, especially medical devices. Products such as pacemakers, heart valves, artificial joints and baby pacifiers have successfully utilized silicone features.
- Silicone gel breast implants may rupture during daily activities or routine mammography: There is no possibility of this happening. Quality FDA-approved models come with a withstanding capability of about 25 times the force of a normal mammogram.
- Silicone gel breast implants can cause cancer and connective tissue diseases: A number of studies have been conducted about the use of this implant option. Robust epidemiological studies report that they are safe to use. There is no specific evidence relating its role in breast cancer or diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Breast milk and breastfeeding capability will be affected: There is no evidence of elevated silicone levels in breast milk and implants do not affect the capability of a woman to breastfeed.
- Results of silicone breast implants are unnatural and often disproportionate: The texture of these implants is similar to breast tissue and they are known to offer natural looking results.
While there are various types and sizes of implants to choose from, an experienced plastic surgeon can provide the best guidance based on breast anatomy of breasts and other physiological considerations. Women need to be at least 22 years of age to get silicone gel-filled breast implants.