Breast reconstruction using implants
Implants are usually made from silicone gel. The technology and safety of silicone implants has been much improved in recent years.
Implants made from saline are also available, but the cosmetic result is usually better with silicone implants. Implants are inserted onto the chest wall, underneath the chest muscle and skin.
To reconstruct your breast using an implant, a special empty bag, called a tissue expander, is inserted underneath the muscles on your chest wall. This involves a short operation. Over the next few weeks or months, saline is regularly injected (about once a week) through the skin into a valve in the bag, until the bag has been expanded to the appropriate size. By gradually increasing the size of the bag over time, the muscle and skin can stretch slowly to the appropriate breast size.
When the expander bag has reached the appropriate size, a second operation is then done to replace the expander bag with a more permanent implant.
What are the advantages of breast reconstruction using an implant?
The advantages of having a breast reconstruction using an implant (over other types of reconstruction) include:
- It’s a relatively simple procedure
- Hospital stays and recovery periods are relatively short
- Surgery and scarring are located only in and around the breast area, which is not the case with other types of breast reconstruction.
What are the disadvantages of breast reconstruction using an implant?
The disadvantages of having a breast reconstruction using an implant (over other types of reconstruction) include:
- The breast may not be as ‘lifelike’ or natural as other types of breast reconstruction
- In some cases, a capsule of thick scar tissue forms around the implant – this can make the breast feel firm and uncomfortable
- The implant may have to be replaced at a later time
- You may get an infection and the implant may need to be removed
- If you have radiotherapy after having an implant, there is a risk that the tissue around the implant could become harder.
