Breast Implants in Canada

Breast Implants in Canada

admin agoBreast, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Procedures

In Canada, before they can be offered for general sale, breast implants must obtain a medical device license from Health Canada. At present, two types of breast implants have the required license and are available for general sale in this country.

 

types of breast implants offered in Canada

The types of implants are:

  • saline filled implants
  • silicone gel-filled implants

All makes and models of breast implants licensed for general sale in Canada have shells or envelopes that are made from silicone. All silicone gel-filled implants in Canada are filled with a cohesive silicone gel; and are differentiated between cohesive silicone gel implants and highly cohesive silicone gel implants.

Before deciding on breast implant surgery, you should research the risks and consult a cosmetic or plastic surgeon so you can make an informed decision.

 

Types of Breast Implants

Saline filled implants

Saline-filled breast implants contain a smooth silicone outer shell and a series of implant shells nested together into two separate chambers, which hold the saline filler. The internal structure controls movement of the saline and is designed to reduce folding and wrinkling. In the event of rupture the saline filler is safely absorbed into the body.

Health Canada has approved saline-filled breast implants for breast augmentation in women age 18 or older and for breast reconstruction in women of any age. They are also used in revision surgeries, which correct or improve the result of an original surgery.

Silicone gel-filled implants

Silicone gel-filled breast implants have a silicone outer shell that is filled with a soft cohesive silicone gel. Silicone gel-filled breast implants have a softer, more natural, breast feel. They are generally round, which provides a higher, more full, profile than contoured implants and are available with either smooth or textured shells.

Silicone gel-filled breast implants are approved by Health Canada for breast augmentation in women age 22 or older and for breast reconstruction in women of any age. They are also used in revision surgeries, which correct or improve the result of an original surgery.

Highly cohesive silicone gel-filled implants

Highly cohesive silicone gel-filled implants are sometimes referred to as gummy bear breast implants because the consistency of the silicone gel inside the implant is thicker than traditional silicone gel implants and has the “feel” of a gummy bear candy.

Also, because of the cohesive nature of the gel, manufactures are able to give the implant a shaped profile which provides the more natural look of a teardrop shaped breast. Another benefit of the highly cohesive gel is that the implant does not lose its shape should the implant shell rupture or tear.

As with other silicone implants, highly cohesive silicone gel-filled breast implants are approved by Health Canada for breast augmentation in women age 22 or older and for breast reconstruction in women of any age. They are also used in revision surgeries, which correct or improve the result of an original surgery.

 

Smooth vs textured breast implants

Smooth breast implants

The softest feeling. The smooth outer shell allows the implant to move within the breast implant pocket, which provides a more natural movement. Smooth implants are more likely to have some palpable or visible rippling.

Textured breast implants

Develop scar tissue to stick to the implant, making them less likely to move around inside of the breast and get repositioned. Texturing offers some advantage in diminishing the risk of a tight scar capsule.

Implant manufacturers occasionally introduce new styles and types of breast implants, so there may be additional options available.

Whether you choose saline or silicone implants, it is important for you to monitor your breast implants and follow-up with your plastic surgeon for appropriate checkups.

Links to Health Canada Approved breast implants 

 

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