Basic Information about Breast Implants

While most people would understand a reference to breast implants, the development and use of these implants is not always known. The breast implant is classified as a prosthetic device, much like a fake leg used on patients who have lost a lower limb. The implants are specially designed to imitate the look and feel of natural mammary tissue and have several uses today. While the most commonly known use is breast augmentation, their development was meant for women who had breast cancer. The basic treatment for breast cancer is removing mammary tissue in a procedure known as a mastectomy, leaving a woman's chest completely flat. The implant is inserted into the chest cavity to recreate the appearance of breasts and has proven to be highly successful over the years. Breast implants are made of three basic materials.

The first option is a saline implant where a silicone shell is filled with a saline solution. This solution provides a natural feeling and imitates the tissue well. The second option is a silicone shell filled with silicone gel. A firmer option that helps avoid the natural sagging of breast tissue that comes with age. Third option is a variety of materials placed into a silicone shell. These materials can vary from certain types of oil or any other liquid material. A person thinking about getting breast implants should consider each option available and talk to a licensed doctor before deciding which is best. One of the biggest drawbacks to breast implants is breastfeeding. For those who choose to get breast implants early in life and then decide to have children, there can be some complications. While it is possible to insert the implants without disrupting the mammary glands responsible for producing breast milk, women with these implants can still develop problems. The main concern is that the breast milk can be contaminated from the implants. If the fluid from the filler leaks out of the silicone casing, it can enter the breast milk and the infant's digestive system, causing problems. While there has been little evidence indicating that this has happened, women considering breast augmentation should consider this possibility. Any change to appearance should be carefully thought about. Removing breast implants is an expensive and painful surgery, making it much easier for the patient to experience infections and other complications. This is some basic information about breast implants, the materials that the implants are made out of, and the possible medical problems that an occur.