Five years have passed since the FDA re-approved silicone breast implants. During the test trials leading up to this approval – a study that lasted over ten years – I was selected as an approved physician to perform breast augmentations using silicone implants. My patients, as well as others who were selected for silicone implants during the trial period agreed to participate in long-term study of health and safety.
At the conclusion of the 10-year study, The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science appointed by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services determined the following:
“Evidence suggests diseases or conditions such as connective tissue diseases, cancer, neurological diseases or other systemic complaints or conditions are no more common in women with breast implants than in women without breast implants.” (Articlesfactory.com)
The safety of silicone breast implants has now been proven. They offer advantages for some patients that simply did not exist when saline implants were the only choice. I have used silicone implants in approximately 50% of the hundreds of breast augmentation surgeries I have performed each year since silicone implants received FDA approval in 2006. Why? Because the silicone implant greatly expands the options for women and offers some fantastic benefits – in particular, silicone implants feel more natural to the touch than saline implants.
Although silicone implants are gaining in popularity, there are still situations where saline implants are preferred. The best choice for each patient is determined during a physician consultation. In most cases, I can give patients a comparable visual result with saline and silicone so they can make an informed decision.