What are the advantages and disadvantages of silicone implants?
Advantages: Silicone implants are softer than saline implants. How much difference in softness depends upon the amount and density of breast tissue present, skin thickness, and amount of subcutaneous tissue. There is less rippling visible on the skin with silicone implants. Disadvantages: With silicone implants, a scar is required on the skin of the breast or on the areola. The scars heal well but are generally still slightly perceptible. When a silicone-filled implant fails or breaks, it is not readily apparent, with the first sign often being hardening of the breast. This is due to the body’s natural response to silicone gel, which forms scar tissue to “wall off” the silicone from the body. It can be a tedious operation to remove the gel from the breast pocket, and one cannot generally remove the microscopic amounts of silicone. This can, in some instances, lead to hardening again, even with a new implant.
