Breast Reconstruction

Myth #9 There is no need for silicone gel-filled breast implants because saline-filled breast implants are already available.

Mentor — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 20:36:29 GMT

Saline implants are fine for some patients, but not for all. Silicone breast implants offer breast reconstruction patients who have minimal tissue coverage a better option than saline implants. Silicone breast implants also offer a soft gel that retains the natural feel that resembles actual breast tissue which many women prefer. And now that the FDA has approved Mentor’s MemoryGel™ breast implants for augmentation and reconstruction patients, we are pleased to provide women with the opportunity to choose which breast implant style and option works best for them.

Myth #4 These silicone gel-filled breast implants are the same as the “dangerous” implants that were available in the 1970s and 1980s.

Mentor — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 01:36:56 GMT

FACT: Concerning the status of our third generation silicone gel breast implants, FDA has now spoken on the safety and effectiveness of these products.

Silicone gel filled breast implants have undergone changes in the last three decades to meet increasingly sophisticated consumer expectations.

The first silicone implants had very thick shells and contained a very firm silicone gel.
A second generation of implants with thinner shells and thinner gel was introduced in the late 1970s to address concerns of patients and physicians who believed that the implants were too firm, palpable and visible.
In the mid 1980s, concerns related to rupture rates of the thinner-shelled implants led manufacturers to introduce a third generation of implants. The shell of these implants was slightly thicker and contained a new low-bleed “barrier” layer. The gel was also adapted to be thicker. Today’s silicone breast implants are composed of a cohesive gel that is contained within a silicone elastomer shell.

Mentor's breast implant products have kept pace with the ever-evolving expectations of physicians and women who desire a soft silicone gel to retain the natural feel that resembles actual breast tissue.

Myth #3 A new generation of “Cohesive Implants” will soon be introduced that are better than those recently approved by the FDA.

Mentor — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 04:50:18 GMT

FACT: The current “third generation” of MemoryGel silicone breast implants, which have been in use for more than a decade, are cohesive. MemoryGel implants feature a soft, cohesive, gelatin-like substance that acts as a solid rather than a liquid. It holds together uniformly, while retaining the natural feel that resembles actual breast tissue. Other shaped products will be reviewed by the FDA in the future, but these products will have a firmer feel.

View a feature comparison of MemoryGel™ silicone gel breast implants and saline filled breast implants.

How long should I wait to resume exercise and other strenuous activities after breast implant surgery?

Mentor — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 21:59:46 GMT

FACT: Your doctor will be your best guide regarding how long you will need to remain off work and will advise you when and how to resume activities. Recovery periods vary from woman to woman. Generally the first few days are the most uncomfortable. The average time to return to full activities is four to six weeks.

It is important not to sweat into the incision while it is healing. Therefore curtail activity and sun tanning until after the incision is healed and sealed. Don’t over-do activity, especially of the upper body, too early. Let your body rest and heal. You want to minimize swelling around the implant.

Going into a Jacuzzi or bath after a month is usually ok. During the early time, one to two weeks following surgery, you don’t want to soak the incision.

Be sure you check with your doctor before returning to your workouts. Patients vary greatly in recovery times. Walking is generally recommended to encourage circulation. The larger the implant you receive the heavier the breasts will be. You should wear good support bras while running to minimize pull on the skin and ptosis (drooping) of the breast.

Myth #2 Saline-filled breast implants are safer than silicone gel-filled implants.

Mentor Corporation. — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 03:08:37 GMT

FACT: Both of Mentor’s silicone gel-filled and saline-filled implants have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in breast reconstruction and augmentation patients. The recent approval of Mentor’s MemoryGel™ products marks the first time since 1992 that silicone gel breast implants have been made available, outside of a clinical study, in the United States.

The MemoryGel™ approval came after the FDA reviewed Mentor’s pre-market application (PMA) and the FDA Advisory Panel positively recommended Mentor’s MemoryGel™ breast implants for approval. At the 2005 FDA Panel Meeting, Mentor presented results from its Core Gel MRI sub-study, which yielded a very low – 1.1% – overall confirmed and suspected rupture rate by implant for MemoryGel ™ implants at three years, and a confirmed rupture rate by implant of 0.3%.

Learn more about the differences between saline and silicone gel MemoryGel™ breast implants here.

Myth #1 Silicone gel-filled breast implants aren’t safe; they give people connective tissue disease.

Mentor Corporation. — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 03:19:28 GMT

FACT: After several years of rigorous review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and separate evaluation by the FDA General Surgery and Medical Devices Advisory Panel, who provided input to the FDA, the FDA determined that these products meet pre-market application (PMA) standards of safety and effectiveness. Mentor has worked closely with FDA to construct labeling (educational literature) that will permit patients full, informed decisions when they consider the option of MemoryGel™ implants.

Click here to read a copy of Mentor's important information for breast augmentation and silicone gel MemoryGel™ implants.

Click here to read a copy of Mentor's important information for breast reconstruction and silicone gel MemoryGel™ implants.

FDA Breast Implant Questions and Answers

Mentor Corporation. — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 03:09:49 GMT

With the recent approval of silicone gel implants, such as the Mentor MemoryGel™, the FDA has updated their breast implant questions & answers area with new information.

You may be interested in reading some additional breast implant (and breast augmentation) FAQs, as answered by Diane Hart, RN and the nursing staff.