Polyurethane Coated Silicone Breast Implants From Brazil

The only way is Brazil. I am a fan.

Christ the redemptor statue, Copacabana beach, Bossa nova music, Pele and football (not really), the list goes on.

But top of my list is what my patients call the 'posh Brazillian implants'.  After the recent scandal with the French PIP implants, I am a little wary of recommending anything foreign but the excellent feedback I am getting from patients have convinced me to share my personal views on this.

Silimed is the Brazilian company that makes these implants in Rio de Janeiro. They are an established 35-year-old company that produces one-third of the world's breast implants. Recently, they became the 3rd company to have their silicone breast implants approved by the American FDA. This is an arduous task that takes years of data collection and research.

Up until recently, they were the only company to produce polyurethane-coated silicone breast implants. These are different from standard silicone implants in that there is a layer of foam-like material (polyurethane) vulcanised onto the surface of the silicone shell (bag).

The main advantages over the standard silicone implants are :

1. Capsular contracture rate of 1% vs 20% in standard silicone implants
2. Implant migration/rotation rate of close to zero vs 10% in standard silicone implants. As a result, I have increased my use of teardrop-shaped implants which in my mind suit a large proportion of women who want to have a more 'natural' shaped breast.
3. The only implant range that has a 'conical' shape which is suitable for slightly droopy breasts. It has a higher projection whilst maintaining a 'natural' shape. It helps to avoid a formal mastopexy (uplift) in a significant proportion of women.
4. An excellent range of different shapes and projections to suit any body frame. The Brazillians have obviously studied the female form well.

They cost a little more but are well worth the benefits.