Both silicone and saline implants have an outer shell made of silicone-rubber material. But when someone refers to a "silicone breast implant," they mean the filler of the implant, not the shell.
The main components of breast implants include:
* the shell (the outside layer, sometimes called the envelope or lumen)
* the filler (inserted into the shell)
* the patch (covers the hole where the filler is inserted into the shell)
Typically the shell is made of a single layer ("single lumen"), but some implants have a double layer -- a shell within a shell ("double lumen").
Silicone Shells for Both Saline and Silicone Implants
Both silicone and saline implants have an outer shell made of silicone-rubber material. But when someone refers to a "silicone breast implant," they mean the filler of the implant, not the shell. The two types of implants used in the United States are
1. saline filled, silicone-rubber shell
2. silicone gel-filled, silicone-rubber shell
Currently, the use of silicone gel-filled implants is limited to patients requiring reconstructive or revision breast surgery.
Generally, the silicone-rubber shell is made of
* Cured long strands of silicones
* Approximately 20 percent finely powdered silica tightly bound to the silicone polymers
* Small amounts of other materials
Saline Filled Breast Implants
Saline implants are filled with a sterile saline solution -- the same type of salt water used in general surgery and for other internal purposes.
There are several types of saline-filled breast implants. These types vary depending on whether saline is prefilled before breast surgery or is filled during surgery, and whether the volume of the implant is adjustable.
Common saline implants:
1. Single lumen ("lumen" is the outside shell) -- prefilled at the factory to a fixed volume. There are no valves for filling during surgery or for adjusting after surgery.
2. Single lumen -- filled with a fixed volume of saline during surgery through a valve. After surgery there are no adjustments to the implant volume.
3. Single lumen -- filled during surgery. After surgery, the volume of the implant can be adjusted by adding or extracting saline through a valve in the implant.
Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants
The filler in silicone gel-filled breast implants is composed of silicone oil, cured large silicone, a small amount of uncured silicones, and other materials. Silicone is a very safe compound and has been widely used in a number of medical applications for many decades.
There are several types of silicone-filled breast implants:
1. Single lumen -- prefilled by the manufacturer to a specific volume of silicone gel.
2. Double lumen -- the inner lumen is prefilled by the manufacturer to a specific volume of silicone gel. The outer lumen is filled during the breast augmentation procedure with a fixed volume of silicone gel using a valve in the implant.
3. Double lumen -- the outer lumen is prefilled at the manufacturer with a fixed volume of silicone gel, while the inner lumen is filled during the procedure through a valve in the implant. This third type allows for adjustments to the filler volume after surgery.
4. The fourth type of silicone implant may appear to have no shell -- looks and feels like a semi-solid rubber gel.
Breast Implants other than Saline or Silicone
Alternative types of breast implants have a silicone rubber shell, but with a filler other than saline or silicone. Some use gel other than silicone gel. Other implants use an outer shell other than silicone rubber. None of these alternatives are approved in the United States.
Remember that breast augmentation is not permanent and breast implants do not last a lifetime. Eventually they may need to be removed and replaced with new implants. Data suggests that within ten years after surgery, up to 50 percent need to be replaced.
The durability and safety of today's implants are highly regulated by the FDA. Talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon about the best choice of implant for your breast augmentation.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
ADHD and intimacy issues
By: desparate | 10-09-2008
My boyfriend has ADHD and is on a constant up and high with emotions and outbursts of anger. He's seeking medication and counseling, but it also affects us sexually. How do I handle this and should I continue to be so patient. The relationship is fairly new and we've already had many challenges in the early beginnings. What should I do?
Tired . . . Lazy . . . and WEAK . . .
By: FFS!!! | 10-09-2008
I am a first time dad - I am generally an active and super healthy guy, but my baby is now 2 months old and I feel old, tired and so lazy. I just dont have the time or energy for anything. I wouldnt say i get woken up every night (or that I could even remember if I do). What I basically would like to know - is this normal? Or it maybe connected something else in my life? Thanks ![:)]
Relationship Problems
By: ael31484 | 09-09-2008
I have been with a guy for over 14 months and I am so in love with him, but lately we have been not been getting along. We both don't know what to do. We ask each other why we are still together and our response is that we love each other, but when is enough enough?
I've been with my boyfriend for four years and he ...
By: unknown | 09-09-2008
I've been with my boyfriend for four years and he recently starting going to the same school I go to. I found new phone numbers from girls but there was one in particular that caught my attention and now I can't stop thinking that there may be something else going on. What should i do?
Are there documented cases of straight men who ...
By: sjbang | 08-09-2008
are there documented cases of straight men who like to put objects of all, or any sort up their ass, for sexual pleasure?
My period is acting weird
By: Hello | 08-09-2008
my boyfriend and i alway have unprotected sex. i am not on the pill i stopped taking it months ago because it was giving me very bad headaches.
my period was last this month. it usually starts around the 2nd of each month.. this month it was a week late. My boyfriend and i recently went on vaction for the weekend. we had sex and while we were having sex i started to bleed. it only happened that one time. i thought i started my period.. but im not bleeding anymore!
i dont know what that means! help pls
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Plastic Surgeries Articles
The Basics of Chin Liposuction
By: Lee Milne | 07/10/2008
One of the most common complaints among cosmetic surgery patients is the double chin. Accumulation of fats below the jaw line is very common among people, even if they are not overweight. Although some people try to follow a diet program with regular exercise, double chins remain resistant to losing fat. For this reason, chin liposuction becomes the next best option.
Just Simply the Relationship Between Cellulite and Liposuction
By: Lee Milne | 07/10/2008
Cellulite and liposuction has been dubbed as the perfect combination because compared to hundreds of cellulite treatment options, liposuction remains the fastest procedure available.
Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty)
By: Affordable Medical Makeovers | 07/10/2008
Tummy Tuck is the common name for Abdominplasty. This is the perfect surgery for those women who have got excess skin after childbirth or wight loss.
Breast Augmentation (implants)
By: Affordable Medical Makeovers | 07/10/2008
Breast Augmentation is the most common plastic surgery procedure today.
Vaginal Surgery
By: Affordable Medical Makeovers | 07/10/2008
There are several different vaginal surgeries available. It has bevome quite popular as women of today are more self conscious about the overall appearance and feel of their vagina.
Botoxtm What is Botoxtm?
By: Affordable Medical Makeovers | 07/10/2008
BotoxTM
BotoxTM is used to make lines or wrinkles between the eye brows look somewhat less.
BotoxTM only lasts for a short time but is a non-surgical alternative to looking younger.
Beware of Complications With Your Breast Implants
By: Patricia Woloch | 06/10/2008
Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures in the country today. While this procedure has become routine for surgeons, there is still always the possibility that complications might arise after your operation.
Understanding the Basics of Plastic Surgery
By: David Smith | 05/10/2008
Plastic surgery is the medical specialty that is dedicated to the correction of both form and function. In other words, plastic surgery can correct and improve how a person looks and also how a part of the body functions.
More from Adrien Brody
5 Things You Should Do Right Now!
By: Adrien Brody | 15/11/2007 | Home Business
Working out of your home versus going to an office, store or factory is much different and most people don't realize at first that it requires a certain discipline to be successful.
Getting the Most Out of a Natural Breast Enhancement Product
By: Adrien Brody | 11/10/2007 | Health
A friend of mine asking me whether there are any breast natural breast enhancement product that actually works and gives good results as so claimed by the manufactures. Then, how to get most out of natural breast enhancement products?
Breast Enlargement Fact Sheet
By: Adrien Brody | 11/10/2007 | Health
A breast enlargement (also known as breast augmentation) operation usually involves placing an artificial implant either under your breast tissue, or under your chest muscle behind your breast.
Breastfeeding - Handling Criticism
By: Adrien Brody | 11/10/2007 | Health
Feelings about how to parent seem to shift with every generation. A new way of parenting, sometimes called attachment parenting, has emerged and it challenges many of the rigid teachings of our mother's generation.
The Breast Sensitivity Side Effect
By: Adrien Brody | 11/10/2007 | Health
Aging skin, thinning of the skin, and decreasing breast size can contribute to changing breast sensitivity during your lifetime. Diseases such as breast cancer may affect breast sensitivity as well.
Breastfeed A Toddler- Why?
By: Adrien Brody | 11/10/2007 | Health
Is your baby approaching his or her first birthday and you're considering weaning?
Hormone Replacement Therapy and Breast Cancer
By: Adrien Brody | 11/10/2007 | Health
I've read that if I take hormones I'll increase my breast cancer risk. I'm going crazy without sleep and with these mood swings, but I don't want to increase my breast cancer risk by taking hormones.
Recommendations For Early Breast Cancer Screening
By: Adrien Brody | 11/10/2007 | Health
Women need to empower themselves about the benefits and risks of mammography and examine the additional screening tools available today. One current philosophy suggests breast health screening should begin at age 25. Where does this recommendation come from and why is this valid?
Health 
