Since their inception in the late 1800s, breast implants “have come a long way, baby.” An almost incredible array of materials was used to make these early prostheses, including such odd elements as rubber, wool and even glass. Nowadays, the two most common types of implants are made from silicone shells filled with silicone gel, or saline (saltwater). The first silicone implant was developed in 1961; the first saline-filled implant in 1964.

The Silicone Gel Controversy
Early versions of silicone gel breast implants were blamed for numerous health problems. These ranged from neurological to rheumatological difficulties due mainly to leaks and ruptures. It was believed that when the silicone leaked from the implant, any number of conditions ensued from auto-immune diseases to cancer. Headaches, fever and pain in various parts of the body, including the surgery site, were comparatively mild complaints made by thousands of women.

Because of these many complaints, the Federal Drug Administration banned silicone gel implants for more than a dozen years. During this time, many studies were done, and it was concluded that no evidence existed to conclusively link silicone gel implants to the grave conditions for which they’d been blamed. In the meantime, however, manufacturers of the implants greatly improved the reliability of the shells encasing the silicone. This better ensured that leaks and ruptures did not occur. Doctors were also instructed to maintain routine checks on the post-surgical implants as an extra precaution.

Now that more sophisticated materials are used along with better medical follow-up, silicone gel implants are once again on the market, with approval from the FDA. Some conservative doctors, however, still advise against them and encourage patients to use saline breast implants instead.

Saline Implants
Because saline is a natural element, these type of implants are considered very safe. Even if the shell does rupture and leak, the saline disperses harmlessly throughout the body. Some critics of saline breast implants maintain they are not as realistic or natural looking as silicone gel implants, and are not as soft as those filled with silicone gel.

Problems
Both saline and silicone gel breast implants are not without problems. Neither lasts forever and more than one additional surgery is common for women using either type of implant. Implants rupture on occasion, and hardening of scar tissue (capsular contracture) also sometimes occurs. Once in a while, the patient is simply not happy with the outcome or feels that subsequent symptoms may be caused by the implants, resulting in more surgery to remove them.

The most important element when making the decision on breast implants is open communication with your doctor. Learning about realistic expectations, including benefits as well as drawbacks, about both types of implants goes a long way toward ultimate satisfaction in this kind of cosmetic surgery.