Mentor also has conducted extensive investigations of saline-filled breast implants involving nearly 5,000 patients. The general objective of these studies was to gather information about the safety and effectiveness of breast implants. Mentor saline breast implants have received PMA (premarket application) approval from the FDA.
Saline Breast Implants
The saline implant is inflated with a saline (salt-water) solution through a valve. Saline is much like the fluid that makes up most of the human body. There are two types/families of Mentor implants filled with saline - one referred to as saline filled and the other referred to as SpectrumT breast implants. The full line of Mentor 's round saline breast implants or shaped breast implants has a self-sealing valve located on the front (anterior) of the implant that is used for filling the device. SpectrumT adjustable breast implants have a valve on the back (posterior) of the implant that allows saline to be added after surgery (postoperative adjustability). Mentor 's Spectrum implant is a saline breast implant that lets your physician adjust the size of your breasts after your breast enlargement surgery. In a simple office procedure, your physician can change your implant size by either adding or removing saline for up to six months after your surgery.
Silicone Breast Implants
A silicone breast implant is filled with silicone gel, a soft-solid substance. At the present time, silicone breast implants manufactured by Mentor are only available through Mentor's Adjunct Study . Participation in the study is limited to qualified patients in the U.S. who are having their breasts reconstructed following mastectomy . Also eligible for this study are patients with severe congenital deformities, such as pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum, or patients with severe ptosis who underwent mastopexy with associated replacement. Patients requiring revision of saline- or gel-filled implants who are not suitable for revision with saline implants may qualify if they have specific medical justification, as outlined in the clinical protocol, from their physician. If you want to know if you qualify, please ask your physician to explain to you the requirements for being included in the study.
Breast Implant Size
For many patients, deciding what breast size they want can be the most difficult part about choosing breast enlargement. Generally, the larger you want your cup size to be, the larger the breast implant your surgeon will consider using. Your surgeon will evaluate your existing breast tissue to determine if you have enough tissue to accommodate the desired size of the large breast implant.
If you desire a large breast implant that is too big for your tissue, the breast implant's edges may be visible through your skin after your operation (commonly referred to as "rippling") or the implant may be more easily felt. By choosing a breast implant that is too large for your tissue, you may increase the risk of having surgical complications. Also, breast implants that are excessive in size may increase the effects of gravity on your body, which may cause your breasts to prematurely droop or sag.
Adjustable Breast Implants
Mentor's Spectrum ® saline breast implant helps eliminate the problem of choosing the exact size implant you want before your surgery. The Spectrum implant is a saline- filled breast implant with a removable fill-tube that lets your physician adjust the size of your breasts after your surgery. In a simple office procedure, your physician can change your implant size by either adding or removing saline for up to six months after your surgery.
Shaped Breast Implants
Mentor breast implants come in either round or contoured shapes . When shaped breast implants are placed under the chest muscle they may assume a round shape after implantation. Together you and your physician will select the option that is best for you, and most likely to achieve the result you desire for your breast enlargement.
Breast Implant Surfaces/Textured Breast Implants
Breast implant shells have a smooth or textured surface. As a natural reaction to any device placed in the body, scar tissue, will form around the breast implant surface creating a capsule. In some women, the capsule can tighten and squeeze the implant. This occurrence is called capsular contracture.
Textured surface breast implants were designed to reduce the chance of capsular contracture. Some information in the literature on small numbers of patients suggests that surface texturing on implants reduces the chance of severe capsular contracture, but clinical information from studies of a large number of women with Mentor implants shows no difference in the likelihood of developing capsular contracture with textured implants compared to smooth-surfaced implants.
Choosing the breast implant surface that is right for you should be discussed with your physician.
Information provided by Mentor
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