Wonder about the differences between saline and silicone breast implants? The risks of breast implants? What happens if an implant ruptures? Get answers to these questions and more. Breast implants are used for people who want larger breasts, also called augmentation. And breast implants can be used for those who want to rebuild a breast after cancer surgery or injury, also called reconstruction.
If you're thinking about breast implants, here's some information to help you choose between saline-filled and silicone gel-filled implants. Saline and silicone breast implants both have an outer silicone shell.
The implants differ in what they're filled with and how they feel. Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. They're usually put into the breast empty and filled when they're in place. Silicone implants are made with silicone gel filling. Most people believe that silicone breast implants look and feel more like natural breasts. Silicone breast implants are available to people age 22 and older for augmentation. They are available at any age for breast reconstruction.
With certain breast implants there is a low risk of developing a type of cancer known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma BIA-ALCL. Implants with a textured outer silicone shell and a certain type of plastic shell called polyurethane seem to have the highest risk. As a result, some of these implants are no longer available in the United States and some other countries.
But it can spread, and a small percentage of people who have it require chemotherapy or radiation therapy to treat it. It's important to see your health care provider if you have swelling around a breast implant, a lump in your breast or armpit, or changes to your breast skin. Some people associate certain symptoms, such as fatigue and joint pain, with breast implants.
