Dear DW,
   In terms of safety, several studies have shown that the main issue with silicone implants was
the rupture and leakage of the silicone gel into the pocket around the implant. This could go undetected, and could lead to the development of capsular contracture (hardening). One of
the hopes with the newer cohesive gel implants is that leakage will be much less of an issue,
and that potentially a crack in the outer shell will not be as much of a concern as it was in the
past. Although the implants appear to be doing extremely well since we started using them,
we don't have as much long term follow-up as we do for saline implants.
   All the silicone implants useled wd today are more 'cohesive' than the silicone implants used
previously. These implants are filith a thicker(denser) type of silicone. When you cut into
a cohesive gel implant, nothing oozes out. It is similar to cutting into a gummy-bear or jello.
In contrast, when you cut into a regular silicone implant, the liquid silicone gel leaks out. Even
the 'regular silicone gel' implants available today have more cohesive properties than they did
in the early 90's.
   To research more about silicone gel implants you can go to the manufacturer' s sites,
Mentor http://www.mentorcorp.com/breastsurgery/augmentation/ and Inamed
http://www.lookingyourbest.ca/frequentlyaskedquestions.php or, visit my website at
http://www.plastic-surgery.yourmd.com
Dr. Jerome Edelstein M.D., F.R.C.S.C
www.plastic-surgery.yourmd.com
Click here for Dr. Jerome Edelstein's profile