are breast implants safe?
The safety issues surrounding breast implants are more relevant than ever.
However, breast implants have made a very large positive evolution in the last 10-20 years.
The risk of leakage problems is minimized with implants filled with cohesive silicone gel because the gel is not liquid and forms a monobloc.
If a puncture or rupture (rupture) ever happens, e.g. due to an accident, the gel will remain in the implant and will not run out or leak into the body.
Plastic Surgeon Dr. Nelissen works with brands of implants, which are currently at the top in terms of research and guarantees towards absolute safety. These implants are of the highest quality and are among the most thoroughly tested on the market.
All implants used are approved by the Belgian Ministry of Public Health and by the controlling authorities of the country of origin.
The placed implants offer a very low percentage (less than 0.5%) of capsular formation because they have a unique sheath.
These implants are covered by a warranty against rupture during the lifetime of the implant and by a product replacement policy in the case of capsular contracture (Baker grades III and IV) for a period of 10 years.
Over the past decade, some types of breast implants have been linked to the development of a very rare form of lymphoma, called BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphona).
It's important to emphasize that this is very rare, with about 600 cases reported worldwide in 2019 of an estimated 40 million women with breast implants.
From initial studies of BIA-ALCL, this would have a connection with implants with a rougher texture.
Dr. Nelissen uses nano-textured or micro-textured breast implants with low surface roughness, as these have been shown to be the safest implants available on the market worldwide.
Certain implants have a unique identification number, which can be read (only) with a special scanner. This makes it easy for your doctor to determine what kind of implant you have, with diameter and volume, after surgery without having to remove the implant.
Traceability is only possible if the special reader is held externally against the body.
All patients receive an implant card, after the 3rd postoperative check-up, mentioning all data such as the serial number, name of the manufacturer and other data of the implant.
The use of customized single use operations sets attributes further to the sterility and safety.
If necessary, we also use the "sleeve method" and the "no-touch method". The no-touch technique was introduced to avoid implant contact and thereby reduce skin/breast infection. This is done with the sleeve method, namely the insertion of the prosthesis using a sterile container (sleeve).
Is breast examination still possible after a breast augmentation with implants?
Yes and even easier because the gland is on top of the implant so that any lumps can be detected more quickly. Mammography/MRI/NMR are still possible.
You should report to the radiologist that you have implants.
«back to the most frequently asked questions about breast augmentation