Probably because breast augmentation has become the nation’s leading cosmetic plastic surgery, almost everybody knows that a saline or silicone breast implant is involved in virtually all breast enlargements.
But the female bosom is not the only place on the human body to benefit from implant technology.
Here, Doctors Face and Body discuss the various types of implants used in various plastic surgery procedures.
Dr. Body (Dr. Linder): The range of breast implants is really huge. There are many different sizes, depending on how large a woman wants to be; there are tear-drop shaped and round breast implants; choices of smooth or textured shells and choices of implants that will determine how far in front a breast will extend. We surgeons know that measurement as projection.
Dr. Face (Dr. Kotler): That really shows the need for seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon with many years of experience. He or she will also know how various implants have fared with the patient years after the procedure. Is there any one breast implant that is the most common?
Dr. Body: The most popular singular choice right now is an implant filled with silicone. That requires a slightly larger incision – about two inches long — because silicone implants must be inserted into the breast pocket fully filled. However, a saline filled implant can be inserted flat, with no filling and the saline added after the implant is in place. So the incision for a saline implant can be shorter.
Dr. Face: Common implants for the face include jaw, chin and cheek implants. Fortunately, no filling is required. Facial implants are made from solid medical grade silicone. Incidentally, the solid silicone is used to make artificial joints and heart valves.
In about 20 percent of rhinoplasties, a chin implant is used because the patient also has a receding chin. An unattractive nose can be surgically enhanced but if the patient also has a receding chin, the overall outcome is not as attractive because the patient’s profile is out of balance. Bringing the chin forward to a more normal position enhances the profile and provides balance to the rest of the face, especially in side views.
Chin, cheek and jaw implants may be inserted through the mouth or cheek implants behind your lower eyelid so there is no visible scar.
Dr. Body: We body specialists often get requests for other implants that are used to enhance various aspects of the body. Like the facial implants you mention, those silicone implants are solid with no filling and are sometimes are very thin.
So patients who feel deficient in some area can get implants for:
- Chest
- Bicep
- Calves
- Buttocks
Dr. Face: What has been your experience with those enhancing implants which sound like something that would be attractive to body builders?
Dr. Body: That’s right, doctor. I think there can be too many complications, especially for buttock implants which are basically inserted into the area of the body that supports the most weight. In my opinion, nothing good can happen from placing all the entire weight of the body for most of the day on solid implants. The pressure can cause the fat and tissue around the implant to die and for fluids to build up in the area.
Dr. Face: Fortunately, we don’t have the pressure problem with facial implants. But a properly sized pocket must first be made for insertion of the implant; one that is not too small or too large. Great talent and experience on the part of the surgeon is needed because improperly placed implants can slip out of place. I like to stitch the implants – for extra stability — to the lining that covers the bone of the face. In some cases, surgical screws are used to attach implants to facial bones.
Dr. Body: That touches on one of my objections to the implants that enhance the biceps, chest and calves – the implants can move, slide around and cause the muscles to atrophy, or shrink, which defeats the whole purpose of having the implants put into those locations. If you want bulging biceps, it’s better to spend extra time pumping iron!
Dr. Face: I see what you mean.
Dr. Body: Are there any other implants used in the face?
Dr. Face: Some implants used to build up the bridge of the nose for some patients are typically made from silicone or Gortex, a cloth-like manmade material. When used in surgery, Gortex is known by its chemical initials, PTFE. Sometimes, the patient’s cartilage from an ear or from a rib is used to raise the bridge.
Dr. Body: Well, that about covers the list of implants used in the human body for the sake of appearance.
Dr. Face: I can think of one other — implants that are rarely mentioned which can help restore appearance, if not function.
Dr. Body: And that would be..?
Dr. Face: For use after testicular cancer or trauma, the FDA has approved silicone testicular implants.