Are there any implants that don’t have a silicone shell?

Question

I am considering a breast lift with augmentation, however, I have a sensitivity to silicone had to stop wearing contact lenses due to this sensitivity and had an issue after sinus surgery when silicone nasal stent caused a bad reaction and had to be removed prematurely. Any suggestions?

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Currently, all FDA approved implants have a silicone shell. This would mean that your options for improved appearance of your breasts include a lift and possible fat grafting for volume. You may be limited in how much fat can be transferred and how much will survive over time. I hope this helps. Best of luck!

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

There are no implants without a silicone shell.   Fat transfer results in loss of 50-70% of the fat volume that is grafted within 6 months.  Dying fat leaves behind micro calcifications.  Those microcalifications will be confused with micrcalcifications associated with cancers for the rest of your life that will either result in a missed cancer diagnosis or overly aggressive biopsy forever.  Either way the transfer of fat is all one of the most dangerous procedures in plastic surgery and transfer to the breast is controversial.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, you have not provided photographs or told us your bra size.  However, an alternative to consider, since there are not any implants without silicone shells, is a breast lift using The Bellesoma Method.  Excess skin is used to make an internal cone analogous to a breast implant, which reshapes your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevates them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.  Later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.  Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry, at this time there are no implants without a silicone shell, hope that helps and best of luck.

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your email inquiry. There are no implants on the market without a silicone shell.There are implants with an outer coating of polyurethane but they also contain silicone in their shells. An alternative to implant augmentation is using your own tissue in the form of autologous (your own) fat injections. Please consult with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon who can advise you on all of your options. Best of luck to you.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear AT69,
fat transfer breast augmentation is a viable alternative for women who desire larger breasts without the use of implants. Fat transfer is also widely used in reconstruction of the breast after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. It can also be very effective in correcting the size and shape of the breasts due to genetic problems such as tuberous breast or Poland Syndrome, two conditions that look like misshapen or underdeveloped breasts.In addition, the following scenarios are also reason to consider breast fat grafting:• If you have chest areas that appear creased and sunken• If you desire more permanent correction than is provided by temporary fillers• If you wish to improve your body contour, revise scars, fill bodily depressions and rejuvenate the natural curve of your breasts• To fill in contour irregularities or hide obvious signs of breast implantsYou should discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon and make sure your surgeon understands your concerns and your breast augmentation goals. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gabriele C. Miotto, MD · Answer

Your question is a common question my patients have when choosing to have breast implant surgery.  All breast implants in the world have a silicone shell, and that is the part of the implant in contact with your body. If you have enough breast tissue your breast can be lifted with no reduction in size. Adding fat grafting to a breast lift also can give a moderate increase the size of the breasts. Hope this helaps!
Kindly, Dr Miotto

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  All US implants have a silicone shell which makes your best option a fat transfer procedure, breast lift, or a combination of the two.  Hope this helps.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. You can benefit from a breast augmentation with fat graft, Breast fat transfer is a great tool to balance breasts, improve symmetry, and gain up to one cup size in volume.  In general, 200 cc per breast is typically the upper limit of fat injection recommended by most plastic surgeons.  It is not that more cannot be injected; but on average, this has been determined to be the most that can be expected to live during one transfer.  Multiple transfers would be required for additional cc's.  In general, the abdomen and thighs are preferred donor sites but fat from other areas can be used.

Brett Beber, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Hi, 
Thank you for your question. All breast implants that are approved for use by FDA and Heath Canada, whether saline or silicone filled are made of a silicone shell.  Depending on your goals, you may want to seek a consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss alternative options.

Are there any implants that don’t have a silicone shell?

Answers (14)

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