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Since time immemorial, most women have not been happy with the size and shape of their breasts and have been trying to improve the appearance. Pills and potions, creams and lotions have been used down the centuries for this purpose. When medicines and exercise fail to give the desired results they go in for breast implants. As it is now quite a common procedure in the US, those who can afford it, go in for implants.
This is not a new procedure. The first implants were carried out way back in 1895. The earliest recorded implant was done by a doctor called Czerny who used the patient’s own fat from her back to improve the size of her breasts. The next method was to use paraffin injections but they were disastrous and unsuccessful. Rubber, cartilage, wool, even ivory was used to increase the size of a woman’s breasts. Experiments were carried out till a suitable implant in the form of silicone was discovered in 1950s and 1960s where about 50,000 women went in for silicone injections and implants. But when silicone became granulomas and breasts hardened, there was need for a fresher approach.
Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow, two plastic surgeons from Texas are credited with having developed the first silicone gel breast implant and the first implant was done in 1962. These consisted of a silicone rubber sack filled with silicone gel. It was tear shaped and was implanted in the breast to give a smooth and aesthetically pleasing appearance. This was followed by softer and more natural implants developed in the 1970s with thinner gel. But they tended to leak or rupture hence a new gel made of polyurethane foam was invented. Fear of cancer prevented their use in the US, though they are still being used in Europe and South America as the risk is considered to be minimal.
Saline, considered safe, is now in use. This is used along with silicone to give a pleasing effect. The texture and appearance of the breast implants continue being modified and improved to avoid any side effects or leakage or rupture problems. The 1990s saw the formation of ‘gummy bear’ or solid, highly cohesive stable implants. These are considered safe and danger free and are being used all over the world.
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