Breast Surgery Mega-Site by Rebecca

The Original Breast Surgery Mega Site, with the Top Breast Surgeons,
before and after photos, breast implant info, breast lift surgery,
breast reconstruction with the Best Breast Surgery Forum since 1997!

High Profile Silicone Gel Breast ImplantBreast Implants

Breast Implant Types - Breast Implant FAQ

Breast Implant Sizes - Breast Implant Manufacturers

Breast Implant Surgery Options - Breast Implant Warranties

Breast Augmentation Computer Imaging

Breast Implant Manufacturers

Company Contact Info
Hutchison International, Inc.
7949 Jefferson Highway, Suite E
Baton Rouge, LA 70809		 225-927-6800
Fax: 225-927-6874
Email: Hutchla1@bellsouth.net
Inamed Implants
(formerly McGhan)
5540 Ekwill Street
Santa Barbara, California 93111		 800-862-4426
Fax: 805-692-5432
Mentor Implants
201 Mentor Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93111		 800-525-0245; 805-879-6000
Fax: 805-967-3013
PIP America
1221 Chapala Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101		 805-957-4355
Fax: 805-957-4365
Silimed Breast Implants
11220 Grader Street, Suite 100
Dallas, Texas 75238		 888-423-7600; 214-348-1571
Fax: 214-348-1855
Email: silimed@silimed.com

Top breast Surgeons

Type of Breast Implants:

Silicone Breast Implants - Saline Breast Implants

High Profile - Textured vs. Smooth

Anatomical Breast Implants - Round vs. Anatomical Shaped

Spectrum Adjustable Implants

Breast implants vary in shell surface with Textured vs. Smooth, shape: Round vs. Anatomical Shaped, profile (how far it sticks out, such as High Profile), volume size, and shell thickness. The primary parts of most breast implants are a shell (envelope or lumen), a filler, and a patch to cover the manufacturing hole.

Shell: most breast implants are single lumen (just the shell) and some breast implants are double lumen (one shell inside another shell). With respect to the filler, some breast implants are manufactured with a fixed volume of filler, some are filled during the surgery, and Spectrum Adjustable Implants allow for adjustments of the filler volume after surgery.

Tissue Expanders (used in breast reconstruction for cancer patients): It should be noted that , which are silicone shells filled with saline, are regulated by FDA in a different way than breast implants. This is because tissue expanders are intended for general tissue expansion for a maximum of 6 months, after which, they are to be removed. Because of this, the design specifications (e.g., thinner shell) and preclinical testing recommendations are different for tissue expanders than for breast implants. Tissue expanders are not to be confused with the third type of double lumen silicone Gel breast implants described in the Silicone Gel Breast Implants.

Tissue Expanders (used in breast augmenation surgery): A double lumen silicone Gel breast implant is a permanent breast implant (not to be removed like the ones above) which allows for tissue expansion & is regulated by FDA as a breast implant.
. 

Saline Breast Implants
As described from FDA Research on Breast Implants

3 types of saline breast implants:

  • One type is a single lumen implant that is filled during the operation with a fixed volume of saline through a valve. There are no adjustments of the saline volume after the operation.
  • A second type is a single lumen implant that is filled during the operation with saline through a valve. This type of implant allows for adjustments of the saline volume after the operation.
  • A third type is a single lumen implant that is prefilled by the manufacturer with a fixed volume of saline. There are no valves for filling during the operation or for adjustments of the saline volume after the operation.

The silicone rubber shell for a saline breast implant is made of:

  • cured polymeric (large) silicones
  • approximately 20% of finely powdered silica that is tightly bound to the silicone polymers
  • small amounts of smaller silicones
  • minute amounts (parts per million) of metals, including a metal catalyst (usually tin, zinc, or platinum) (A catalyst is something that causes a change in material.)
  • traces of readily evaporating materials (volatiles), such as xylene and other organic compounds;

The filler is sterile saline that should conform to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards for Normal Physiological Saline (injection grade).

Silicone or Saline

Silicone Gel Breast Implants
As described from FDA Research on Breast Implants

The three types of silicone Gel breast implants are as follows:

  • One type is a single lumen implant that is prefilled by the manufacturer with a fixed volume of silicone gel.
  • A second type is a double lumen implant with (1) an inner lumen prefilled by the manufacturer with a fixed volume of silicone gel and (2) an outer lumen that is filled during the operation with a fixed volume of saline through a valve.
  • A third type is a double lumen implant with (1) an outer lumen prefilled by the manufacturer with a fixed volume of silicone gel and (2) an inner lumen that is filled during the operation with saline through a valve. This type of implant allows for adjustments of the saline volume after the operation.

A silicone Gel breast implant has a silicone rubber shell with the same general composition as shown in the Saline Breast Implants above.

The filler is silicone gel & made of:

  • silicone oil
  • cured polymeric (large) silicones
  • small amounts of uncured large and smaller silicones
  • minute amounts (parts per million) of metals, including a metal catalyst (usually platinum). (A catalyst is something that causes a change in material.)

Studies & Research on Silicone Breast Implants Here

Silicone or Saline

Breast Implant Augmentation Surgery Options

Over vs. Under - Size - Anesthesia

Top breast Plastic Surgeons

Breast Implant Warranties

Breast implants fail at a rate of about 1 percent a year.

Both Mentor and Inamed (formerly McGhan) offer free, lifetime product replacement.

Both companies allow the patient to choose replacement implants of a different style and size than the original. If the patient chooses a higher-priced implant style - for example, she switches from a saline, round implant to a textured-shaped implant – she will be required to pay the price difference. Patients are not charged to go up or down on size, or more than one size on a case-by-case basis.

Neither company covers the removal of intact implants due to capsular contracture, wrinkling or rippling; the loss of implant shell integrity resulting from reoperative procedures; nor the removal if intact implants for size alteration or because of dissatisfaction with aesthetics.

Inamed (McGhan) Breast Implant Warranty
Mentor Breast Implant Warranty

Inamed (formerly McGhan) Breast Implant Warranty

Confidence Plus Limited Warranty:

- No Cost
- Automatic enrollment
- Ten years of financial assistance. Up to $1,200 in out-of-pocket expenses for surgical fees, operating room and anesthesia expenses not covered by insurance;
- saline and silicone-filled Inamed (formerly McGhan) -style breast implants coverage;
- At the request of the physician, any size may be selected to replace a current Inamed (formerly McGhan) -style breast implant at no cost, or another style may be selected (a charge my apply on product with a higher list price). Applies for the lifetime of the patient.

The Confidence Plus Platinum Limited Warranty Option:

*Ten years of guaranteed financial assistance. Patient receives up to $2400 in out-of-pocket expenses for surgical fees, operating room and anesthesia expenses not covered by insurance;
*Enrollment fee of $100; must enroll within 30 days of surgery;
*saline and silicone-filled Inamed (formerly McGhan) -style breast implants coverage;
*Contralateral implant replacement
*At the request of the physician, any size may be selected to replace current Inamed (formerly McGhan) -style breast implant at no cost, or another style may be selected (a charge may apply on product with a higher list price). Applies for a lifetime of the patient.

Mentor Breast Implant Warranty

Please contact your plastic surgeon for current Mentor Breast Implant Warranty Info.

 

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What patients say about their breast implant surgery with our Top Breast Surgeons:

"I think that having a breast augmentation was one of the best decisions that I have ever made."

"My breast surgery went great!"

"My surgery and recovery was a breeze."

"My breasts look awesome."

"Wonderful job on my breasts."

"I am very pleased with my breast augmentation."

"A really good job on my breast augmentation"

"I could not be happier with the outcome of my breast augmentation."

"My breasts are perfect."

"I cannot believe how amazing he has made my breasts look."

"My recovery was very easy, because of his gentle approach to breast augmentation."

"...attentive to concerns and to details of breast augmentation"

"He and his staff have helped me through all phases of my breast augmentation."

"Better than I ever expected from a breast augmentation."

"I'm very happy I chose him for my breast augmentation."

"Wonderful job on my breast augmentation."

"Breast implants are the perfect fit for my body!"

"Breast Implants gave me the lift I needed!"

Cost of Breast Implants
range from $600 for saline breast implants to $1800 for silicone breast implants

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