Are Silicone Breast Implants Really Safe?
The uproar over silicone breast implants that spawned a variety of lawsuits began in the 1970’s. The brouhaha culminated in the late 1990’s with a class action settlement that drove Dow Corning—the leading manufacturer—into bankruptcy. Even though numerous studies and intense scrutiny by the Federal Drug Administration could not find a connection between silicone breast implants and cancer or other diseases, our New York breast augmentation patients occasionally still ask:
Are silicone breast implants really safe?
The short answer is yes. Silicone breast implants are safe. What happened in the 1970’s and 80’s was that some women’s implants leaked liquid silicone filler into the breast pocket and to nearby locations in the body. This happened for two reasons: the 1970’s model implants, known as “second generation implants,” had shells that were thin and tended to rupture fairly easily, and they also occasionally leaked even through intact shells. Women believed that breast cancer and autoimmune diseases like lupus were the result. The high failure rate of the devices and subsequent health scares caused the FDA to ban silicone implants in this country for fourteen years.
Today, plastic surgeons are using the FDA approved fifth generation of silicone breast implants. These not only have a tough, durable shell, they are also filled with what’s called a “cohesive” silicone gel. Even if an implant somehow becomes cut or torn, the cohesive gel retains its shape.
This cohesive gel has the additional advantage of feeling solid yet pliant, very much like healthy breast tissue. And there’s no rippling under the skin or sloshing sound occasionally reported by patients with saline breast implants. Plastic surgeons and patients alike are fans of the natural look and feel silicone breast implants offer today.
Are there times when saline breast implants are the right choice? Yes, some patients still prefer saline, and we use those implants as well. One major advantage these devices offer is an adjustable fill level.
If you’re leaning toward silicone implants but still not convinced they’re safe, consider this: silicone has long been used in the manufacture of a variety of medical devices used inside the body. These include tubing for shunts, drains and catheters, and components of heart valves and joint implants.
Still not sure which type of breast implant is right for you? Schedule a visit to discuss breast augmentation in New York. We’ll walk you through the choices and work with you to make the right decisions. Give us a call at 212-570-6080 or request a consultation with us.
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