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This type is the second most use implant type. Silicon is a naturally occurring element found in sand, quartz, and rock. When silicon is mixed with oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon, it becomes silicone. It is also found in facial implants, artificial joints, drainage systems, and other implants.
Currently, Mentor and Inamed silicone implants have 3 layers of shell surrounding the silicone gel. This reduces the amount of gel bleed. It does, however, make the implants a bit firmer than they were years ago, but this is attributed to the thicker shell. Speaking from my own personal experience with silicone gel breast implants, the silicone implants of today are still very soft and natural feeling.
Silicone gel breast implants come pre-filled, meaning that there is no fill to be added. The only real drawback to a pre-filled implant is that the incision will have to be a bit longer, depending on the size of the implant to be inserted. This is especially true for textured silicone, which is a somewhat firmer than the smooth silicone, due to the thickness of the shell. Another reason that textured silicone requires a longer incision is the fact that the shell is textured. Because silicone gel breast implants come pre-filled, they cannot be inserted via the TUBA incision (nor can any other type of pre-filled implant).
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