Information for Silimed patients
What is gel cohesiveness?
Cohesiveness refers to the property responsible for keeping the molecules together, minimizing the risk of leakage if the implant ruptures and preventing gel leakage in the event of rupture.
How long does the implant last after it is placed?
Although silicone implants do not have an estimated useful life recognized by the scientific community, Silimed establishes an average period of 10 years. However, the need for replacement must be assessed individually. Therefore, Silimed recommends that patients undergo annual clinical follow-up with their plastic surgeon.1
Implant traceability
Silimed keeps accurate records, unit by unit, of raw materials, manufacturing stages, environmental conditions, operating conditions and quality tests, assigning a unique number to each product, which fully identifies it at any time. In this sense, it is absolutely necessary that any complaint be accompanied by the serial number (SN) of the unit subject to the complaint, which appears on the packaging.
What is breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that aims to increase the size of the breasts. This increase can be achieved by placing a breast implant or, less commonly, by grafting autologous fat. In addition to providing greater volume, breast augmentation can be indicated to correct asymmetries and improve the results of previous breast augmentation surgery.1,2
What is augmentation mastopexy? Can this type of surgery be combined with breast augmentation?
Mastopexy is a surgical procedure designed to lift and reshape the breasts, eliminating excess skin and correcting sagging (ptosis) that can occur due to aging, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, among other factors. In addition, it is possible to combine mastopexy with breast augmentation, which allows the breasts to be lifted and enlarged simultaneously.3
When is breast reduction with breast implants indicated?
Breast reduction surgery with breast implant placement is indicated for patients with moderate or severe sagging, with any degree of hypertrophy, and breasts with a higher fat content than glandular content. Patients who have previously undergone bariatric surgery, with significant weight loss, can also benefit from this technique. Breast reduction surgery combined with silicone implants is a safe procedure for selected cases and has a high degree of satisfaction.4
What is breast reconstruction?
It is a surgical procedure that aims to restore the shape, volume and contour of the breasts after a mastectomy. This process can be performed using silicone breast implants or the patient’s own tissue, and can occur immediately after breast removal surgery or at a later date.5
In situations where breast cancer treatment has included radiation therapy or mastectomy, the remaining tissue in the chest wall may not be sufficient to cover and support an implant.6
In these cases, tissue expanders are often used to provide additional tissue before definitive reconstruction, with the aim of ensuring better results.7
Both approaches are customized to meet the specific needs of each patient, with the aim of providing a natural and harmonious appearance.
About adverse events
What is capsular contracture?
Capsular contracture is the most common complication after breast augmentation surgery, whether for aesthetic or reconstructive purposes. The body naturally forms a layer of scar tissue around the implant, called the capsule. In many cases, this capsule remains thin and flexible, causing no discomfort. However, in some situations the capsule may stiffen, compressing the implant and leading to discomfort or aesthetic changes, characterizing capsular contracture.3
What is breast implant rupture?
It can be caused by natural wear and tear of the implant due to the implantation time, damage with piercing instruments, excessive effort during surgery, trauma or extreme physical pressure, compression during mammography or severe capsular contracture. Most often, they occur during surgery. In the case of suspected implant rupture in an asymptomatic patient (“silent rupture”), a careful evaluation should be performed to confirm the situation and make decisions about the next procedures, including the possibility of replacing the implant.1
What are the unsatisfactory aesthetic results after breast augmentation surgery?
It is associated with the patient’s and/or doctor’s dissatisfaction with the result of breast implant surgery. Some possible unsatisfactory aesthetic results are: ptosis, sagging, asymmetry, folds, wrinkles, implant wrinkling, stretch marks, adhesions and hypertrophic scars. The doctor must evaluate the best course of action to be taken, and surgery to replace the implant is not necessarily necessary.1
References:
1- INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE – E-IUP 001-01-P-E.
2- JOHN B. TEBBETTS, CHAPTER 20 – AUGMENTATION MASTOPEXY, EDITOR(S): JOHN B. TEBBETTS, AUGMENTATION MAMMAPLASTY, MOSBY, 2010, PAGES 501-551, ISBN 9780323041126, HTTPS:// DOI.ORG/10.1016/B978-0-323-04112-6.50024-3. (HTTPS://WWW.SCIENCEDIRECT.COM/SCIENCE/ARTICLE/PII/B9780323041126500243).
3- BACHOUR, Y. (2021). CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE IN BREAST IMPLANT SURGERY:WHERE ARE WE NOW AND WHERE ARE WE GOING? AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY. DOI:10.1007/S00266-021-02141-6.
4- SALDANHA OR, SALLES AG, FERREIRA MC, LLAVERIAS F, MORELLI LHU, SALDANHA FILHO OR, ET AL. REDUCTION MASTOPLASTY ASSOCIATED WITH SILICONE IMPLANT: WHEN SHOULD I RECOMMEND IT?. REV. BRAS. CIR. PLÁST.2014;29(4):511-516.
5- AHMED S, SNELLING A, BAINS M, WHITWORTH IH. BREAST RECONSTRUCTION. BMJ. 2005 APR 23;330(7497):943-8. DOI: 10.1136/BMJ.330.7497.943.
6- BREAST RECONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS, HTTPS://WWW.PLASTICSURGERY.ORG/RECONSTRUCTIVE-PROCEDURES/BREASTRECONSTRUCTION/TECHNIQUES. ACCESSED ON 2 DEC. 2024.
7 – LANGDELL HC, TASKINDOUST M, LEVITES HA, MATEAS C, SERGESKETTER AR, KAPLAN SJ, MARCUS JR, ERDMANN D. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF TISSUE EXPANSION: UTILIZATION IN NON-BREAST APPLICATIONS. PLAST RECONSTR SURG GLOB OPEN. 2021 JAN 21;9(1):E3378. DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003378.