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Silicone Breast Implants Safe?

need to know more about the safety and whether doctors now recommend getting silicone breast implants

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Silicone breast implants safe

There has been much controversy about silicone breast implants over the years, and these devices have been studied extensively by medical experts. At one time in the late 1980s and early 1990s there was a question of whether silicone breast implants might increase the risk of women developing certain diseases and their use for breast augmentation was restricted. After much study it was demonstrated that silicone breast implants did not increase the risk of these diseases, and the... more

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John K. Wakelin III, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Silicone breast implants are SAFE! A detailed history.

The modern era in breast augmentation began with the development and surgical implantation of silicone gel breast implants in a woman in 1963. In the 30 years that followed, plastic surgeons worldwide used silicone-gel-filled breast implants for both breast reconstruction and elective breast enlargement in well over one million women. Saline-filled breast implants were also used during this time, but in only about 15% of all patients receiving implants. Breast implants were developed and... more

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Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

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Breast Implants and Augmentation Safety

Silicone gel breast implants were first developed in 1961. Because of some concerns in the 1980s about a correlation of silicone gel with some medical problems, silicone implants were removed from the market in 1993. This was done, unfortunately, before significant studies were performed to prove or disprove any of the allocations against silicone. These studies were subsequently performed, however, and in these major studies, no significant correlation has been found between silicone breast... more

Adam David Lowenstein, MD

Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Silicone Breast Implants Cohesive Gel Implant Information

Silicone Gel breast implants in Raleigh, NC: the basics The silicone gel breast implants that we use today are filled with cohesive gel material, which is in a solid rather than liquid state. It's still a silicone gel product, and it still feels soft and breast-like, but it does not ooze out of the implant if the outer shell fails. If you cut a cohesive silicone gel implant in half, you end up with two halves of a solid implant, rather than a sticky, gooey mess. The outer shell... more

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Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

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The FDA says silicone implants are safe and effective

The issue of the safety of silicone breast implants was settled in 2006 when the US FDA pronounced that after 14 years of research they had concluded that silicone does not cause any dieases and does not have side effects. Now, nearly six years later more women are choosing to have silicone impants than saline implants. Natioanlly this figure is 60% and in my own practice it is closer to 100%. The only people with detectable high silicone levels in their body are long term... more

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Phillip C. Haeck, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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Silicone Implants Are Considered a Safe Choice for Breast Augmentation

No medical device has been studied more than silicone implants. After review of years of many hundreds of intensive laboratory and clinical studies, the Academy of Medicine concluded there was no evidence that women were becoming ill from silicone gel implants. The FDA agreed with this conclusion and approved the use of silicone gel-filled implants for cosmetic breast augmentation. Because of their natural feel, silicone gel-filled implants have again become the most... more

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Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

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Are silicone breast implants safe?

These are the main points to remember in regards to Silicone breast implants: Based on numerous scientific studies, silicone breast implants have been shown to be safe and effective. Even if the breast implant shell is ruptured, they don't leak and travel through the body. Using MRI, we can detect any leakage and remove the implant without difficulty. Hope this is helpful.

Ali Sajjadian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Silicone Breast Implant Safety

Best place to start is your particular definition of "safe". 1) Anesthesia/Procedure : Breast Augmentation, one of the most popular aesthetic plasctic surgery procedures performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeons on female pateints desireing breast enhancement, is a tremedously SAFE procedure as long as it is performed in a certified Hospital or out-patient surgery center. 2) Implant composition : You know the answer to this. The previous surgeons on this thread as well as the... more

John Philip Connors III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Silicone implants safe, if you trust FDA

There are two types of breast implants available: saline and silicone. Saline implants are made of a salt-water solution whereas silicone implants are made of a silicon gel. The latter have come under much scrutiny in the U.S. during the early '80s. The Food and Drug Administration removed silicone implants from the market after numerous women were complaining of odd symptoms. During that period they could only be used for reconstructive purposes. The problem developed from the lack of... more

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Dr. Jennifer Walden discusses silicone breast implants...

Dr. Jennifer Walden discusses silicone breast implants and provides a follow up visit for a satisfied patient in this ABC News clip. see video

Jennifer Walden, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon

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Silicone Implants are safe

The safety of silicone and saline breast prostheses has been extensively evaluated. I’m a absolutely convinced surgeon of their safety. All implants used currently in breast augmentation in Europe [Spain] and USA have been EMA [AGEMED] and FDA approved (respectively). Since 1963 a loth of breast implant surgeries have been done worldwide, with a high patient satisfaction rate (>90%). Silicone breast implants are with no doubt ones of the most studied medical devices; research... more

Enrique Etxeberria, MD

Spain Plastic Surgeon

Silicone implants?

Much of the final “look” achieved after breast augmentation surgery depends on several factors: 1. The initial shape, size (volume of breast tissue), symmetry of the patient's breasts. In general, the better the preoperative breast appearance the more likely the breast augmentation “look” will be optimal. 2. The experience/skill level of the surgeon is important in determining the final outcome. For example, the accurate and gentle dissection of... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

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Both Saline and Silicone Implants are FDA approved -5 key points

All implants used in breast augmentation today in the USA are FDA approved and are safe. The key element is that all implants placed into the human body have both benefits and risks. Here the 5 things you need to consider before you have breast implants for cosmetic breast augmentation: 1. No implant last forever- all implants last about 10--15 years 2. Both saline and silcone implants will have an effect on your breasts long term 3. All implants will... more

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

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Since silicone implants were pulled by the FDA for...

Since silicone implants were pulled by the FDA for general use, they have undergone rigorous scientific studies evaluating their safety. The results of these studies suggest that the implants are indeed safe and find no statistically significant increase in symptoms of Human Adjuvant Syndrome as compared to a control population. In several recent surveys of U.S. Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, the vast majority supported the return of silicone breast implants and felt them to be not... more

Gregory A. Buford, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Silicone is safe

In 2006, after much testing, the FDA approved silicone implants. Did you know that silicone implants are the most studied medical device – more than heart valves or joint replacements devices?! Your plastic surgeon can provide you with information regarding their safety and help you decide if silicone implants are right for you.

George John Alexander, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

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Silicone implants are considered safe

In the early 1990's, silicone implants were pulled from the market by the FDA until adequate studies were done to confirm their safety. There was some concern that silicone gel breast implants could contribute to developing such diseases as lupus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis. Extensive studies over the past 20 years have shown no correlation between silicone implants and any of these conditions which is why the FDA re-approved silicone gel implants five years ago. The current... more

James McMahan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

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Silicone implants made in the USA generally safe

If you are considering silicone breast implants, I would highly recommend getting those made in the USA. Currently there are two manufacturers in the USA that make silicone implants that are approved by the FDA, Allergan and Mentor. I think implants made by either of these two manufacturers are safe. I would avoid products imported from foreign countries. Either silicone or saline implants made by these two manufacturers are equally safe. They have undergone... more

James Tang, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Silicone Implants Are Safe

Both Silicone and Saline implants are safe. One the key differences is that MRIs are necessary and recommended three years after surgery and then every two years to evaluate for silicone implant rupture whereas saline implants do not require MRIs as saline rupture can be determined by physical examination. For more information, see drmezrow.com

Craig Mezrow, MS, MD

Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon

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Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone gel-filled breast implants are arguably the most studied medical devices and decades of research have evaluated their safety and effectiveness. Silicone breast implants were first developed in the 1960s and had a teardrop shape and a very thick outer shell In the 1970’s implants were upgraded to round thin shells filled with a thin liquid silicone gel. This generation of implants was developed to feel soft but they didn’t last and over time... more

Christine Sullivan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Silicone Breast Implant Safety

Silicone breast implants are safe. Due to questions about safety over the last 20 years, there have been numerous studies, including several of my own, researching the safety of silicone implants and the scientific consensus is that they are indeed safe. Whether your surgeon will recommend silicone versus saline will depend on your preferences and expectations. Also, if you are still worried about the safety of silicone after reviewing studies or if having them will cause anxiety, saline... more

Jeffrey Weinzweig, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Silicone breast implants are safe

The safety of silicone implants has been extensively evaluated, and I am convinced of their safety. Silicone implants have the added benefits of greater softness and naturalness of feel, as well as reduced tendency for visible edges and ripples.

Amy M. Sprole, MD

Wichita Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Silicone Gel implants are very natural feeling

There are unique pros and cons to each type of implant. the best feature of gel implants is their natural feel. The drawback is that the incision has to be a bit larger than with the saline implants. The gel implants are lighter as well, and there is much less rippling that is palpable.

Anne Taylor, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Safety of silicone gel implants

The safety of INTACT silicone gel breast implants has been established conclusively. The safety of RUPTURED silicone gel breast implants is a subject with some residual controversy. When the FDA issued its approval of silicone gel implants in November 2006 (after 14 years of restriction on their usage), they recommended that all women with silicone gel implants undergo MRI evaluation of the breasts 3 years after augmentation and then every 2 years for the rest of their... more

Ronald Friedman, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

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Silicone breast implants are SAFE

Absolutely, silicone implants are safe. In my practice, nearly every woman chooses silicone for her augmentation. There is a plethora of data showing the safety of silicone, and I'm completely comfortable with them. They have the same potential complications as saline implants: deflation, rupture, capsular contracture, extrusion, etc.

Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Silicon vs Saline

Yes indeed silicone implants are just as safe as saline implants. Over the last fourteen years there has been an enormous amount of research done and well documented studies that show that silicone implants are just as safe as saline implants.

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