Implant reconstruction surgery involves two different kinds of implants–saline, which is a sterile saltwater-filled implant, and silicone.
Saline implants require less monitoring since a leak will be very obvious. Silicone implants feel and look better, says Dr Andrea Pusic, Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. But they require a higher level of surveillance with MRI. If the silicone does leak, it poses no health risks but it will have to be replaced.
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The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says silicone gel implants are “the most widely studied medical device in the history of medical devices.” It’s worth noting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says implants–whether saline or silicone–are not lifetime devices.
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