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Are Silicone Breast Implants Legal for a 21 Year Old?

asked 2 years ago by rokkon in St. Louis, MO
Latest answer by David Finkle, MD
Question viewed 1,520 times
Tags: age 18-24, breasts, female, silicone implant, bigger

I am 21 years old and I previously asked a question about where I could go to get Silicone Breast Implants. Some doctors told me that it is illegal in the U.S. while others told me that it is legal but I would not be under the implant warranty.

I want to know which is right. If it is illegal then obviously I will not do it. However, if I can get them now, even if without the warranty, I will.

Thanks for your time,
Sara

7 answers to Are Silicone Breast Implants Legal for a 21 Year Old?

+2

Silicone breast implants in a 21 year old woman

Dear Sara, The FDA has not approved silicone breast implants in women under the age of 22 years for cosmetic breast augmentation. The FDA has approved saline-filled breast implants for augmentation in women ages 18 and older. For breast reconstruction (i.e. reconstructive surgery to restore the breast after cancer treatment or trauma), silicone implants have been approved for women of any age. Because you are most likely looking into implants strictly for cosmetic purposes, you will not be... more
Sam Jejurikar, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone implants not available for women under the age of 22

For some unknown reason when silicone breast implants were allowed back on the market BY THE FDA in November of 2006, their use was restricted. One of the restrictions was that implants cannot be used for cosmetic augmentation in women under age 22. Any physician who violates this restriction could be sanctioned by the FDA and could lose his/her license to practice medicine. If you find a PS who willingly and knowingly breaks FDA regulations, would you trust him/her to... more
David Finkle, MD

Omaha Plastic Surgeon

www.bodybyfinkle.com

+1

Silicone implant age

In the United States, the FDA has limited the use of silicone implants to women that are at least 22 years of age.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone implants are FDA approved for women over the age of 22.

As of November of 2006, women over the age of 22 years old are eligible to receive silicone breast implants under the guidelines established by the FDA. This requires you to review and complete prepared materials and informational brochures. You are almost there.  Unfortunately, a board certified PS will not give you silicone implants until you are over the FDA approved age.  see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

FDA approved silicone breast implants for age 22

Hello, Silicone gel implants are approved by the FDA for use in patients over the age of 22. You might be waiting a bit to get them in the US.
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Illegal breast implants

Sara, Great question. I've dealt with this once before. This patient was 21 as well and came to visit me from out of town. Because she had almost no breast tissue at all, it was clearly the better implant to use (silicone) for many reasons. I sent her off to return to me in a year. Needless to say, she came back with really big saline implants that just didn't look right, but she made all of the choices and signed all of the paperwork. I may be wrong, but it seems that all that paperwork... more
Ricardo A. Meade, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Silicone implants are not illegal for a 21 year old

The FDA set an approval age of 22 for silicone implants because this is what they had data to go on. In no way is it illegal for you to use silicone implants. You are an adult and can make this determination to use silicone implants "off label" and with out a warranty. I will predict that some plastic surgeon will refuse to do it and some will do it with a special consent. You are not breaking any laws by having silicone implants but if you are 21 years old it might be worth... more
Marcus L. Peterson, MD

Saint George Plastic Surgeon

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