Some breast implant related terms

augmentation: placement of a breast implant in order to increase the size of a healthy breast

autoimmune disease: chronic, sometimes deadly diseases when the body develops antibodies to it’s own tissue, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, and multiple sclerosis

capsule: the body reacts to the implant by surrounding it with scar tissue, to protect the body from the foreign object. This forms a capsule of scar tissue around the implant.

capsular contracture: when the scar tissue capsule around implant becomes too small for the implant, it feels tight and makes the breast feel harder. This can be painful and distort the shape of the breast.

capsulectomy: removal of scar tissue capsule whether or not implants are removed

closed capsulotomy: use of non-surgical, manual pressure on the breast in order to break up the tight scar tissue around the implant. This procedure often ruptures the implant and is therefore no longer recommended.

connective tissue disease: chronic inflammatory diseases that are autoimmune in origin, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, or scleroderma

envelope: the silicone shell that contains the saline or silicone gel of a breast implant

explantation: surgical removal of breast implants

extracapsular rupture: when silicone from a ruptured gel implant leaks out of the scar tissue capsule into the breast or elsewhere in the body

fibromyalgia: a little-understood syndrome characterized by chronic pain

gel bleed: when silicone leaks out of the silicone envelope without a rupture in the implant

gel migration: when silicone gel travels to other parts of the body from a leaking implant

hematoma: collection of blood at the site of the surgery

implantation: placement of breast implants in the body

intracapsular rupture: when the silicone gel from a ruptured silicone gel implant remains inside the scar tissue capsule necrosis: death of tissue, often including skin, which can be mutilating and difficult to repair

reconstruction: creating a new breast form to replace a breast that has been removed, using an implant or a woman’s own tissue

rupture: a tear or break in the breast implant envelope, which can be caused by manufacturer’s defect, daily stresses on the implant, trauma, or other causes.

saline: salt water

scleroderma: a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by thickening and hardening of the skin. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, joint pain, stiffness, muscle weakness and high blood pressure.

silicone: a polymer used in synthetic rubber, adhesives, coolants, lubricants, paints and prosthetic body parts. Two kinds of silicone are used in breast implants: one for the envelope, and a gel inside the envelope.

TRAM flap: a reconstructive procedure where tissue is taken from the woman’s abdomen to form a new breast shape after a mastectomy.

valve: a part of a saline breast implant through which the surgeon injects saline to inflate the implant