Breast Implant Safety - How Subjective Are Doctors?

In a recent publication at the FDA, we find that after all the subjective airing of opinion by many doctors, in fact there is some risk associated with capsules in breast implants, yet, this is not mentioned, here or many other places online, it is interesting to see how this topic is treated. Are doctors really objective about this issue, or are they more subjective about this issue? There seems to be this mentality that doctors cannot be wrong, I submit that they are wrong.

Tags:

risk safety

Comment on this

8 Doctor Answers | Asked by Birmingham7903 in Birmingham, AL

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (0)

Most plastic surgeons are honest and very critical of the literature and their results.

There are creeps in all professions. Almost all plastic surgeons are very critical of their results (as well as the results of others). True scientific research has very little subjectivity. Clinical outcomes have more subjectivity. But all my plastic surgery friends are aware of this and practice accordingly. I do think that your plastic surgeon is much more reliable source of accurate and documented information than the media or the internet. more

Risk of ALCL in breast implant patients is very low

This is an extremely rare form of lymphoma- about 40-50 cases in over 5 million augmentations - these odds are similar to being struck by lightning. We have always emphasized the 'known' and 'unknown' risks of breast implants to our patients. Now that the FDA has pointed out this rare association, it will be part of the informed consent discussion for all breast augmentation patients in our practice.

There is risk in any surgery: elective or otherwise

The recent FDA report showing a possible connection between breast implants and ALCL in capsules is evidence that will be presented to patients in my practice in the same manner as that with other known possible complications with breast augmentation: in an honest and objective manner. Any new data or risks that apply to the procedures I perform is always discussed openly and honestly with prospective or established patients, as is the case with most colleagues I know.... more

The mentatlity that doctors cannot be wrong: the case of ALCL and breast implants: "Too err is human, to forgive is divine"

I think doctors are human. "To err is human, to forgive is divine." Have it in your heart to be less critical and look at this with open eyes. The data you mention was actually reported by several plastic surgeons and it was their due diligence that prompted them to pursue unusual findings, perform biopsies and evaluate their patients on a case by case basis. With 60 cases out of 10 million, that means there is an incidence of less than 1 out of 150... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Opinions vs evidence on breast implant safety

Plastic surgeons are doctors bound to look after the safety of their patients, like any other specialty. To do this we rely on evidence-based practice, based on science. The FDA's recent call for monitoring of a possible association of an extremely rare condition that looks like cancer but doesn't bechave like it has brought out all of the fear mongering and junk science that provoked the implant debate in the 1990's. The good thang that came out of that was a substantial... more

Breast Implant Safety - How Subjective Are Doctors?

Dr Aldea's extremely accurate posting says it ALL. The rarity of this form of lymphoma in the numbers of implants between 5 to 10 million speaks to how the media sensationalizes things. Especially anything that might cause more interest and a response. Studies will be done but as long as the prospective implant users now are informed, it is their decision based upon the #'s not the press releases. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl j. Blinski

Breast Implant Safety

Regarding: "Breast Implant Safety - How Subjective Are Doctors? In a recent publication at the FDA, we find that after all the subjective airing of opinion by many doctors, in fact there is some risk associated with capsules in breast implants, yet, this is not mentioned, here or many other places online, it is interesting to see how this topic is treated. Are doctors really objective about this issue, or are they more subjective about this issue? There seems to be this mentality... more

Opinions of doctors

I think doctors respond accordingly to most things based upon facts. The recent FDA report regarding an extremely rare form of lymphoma and its possible association with breast implants in an extremely low number of paitients( 30-60 case in 5-10 million) still needs to be studied more.