Silicone Implants on an 18 Year Old?

I am 18 and I have always had size 36A breasts. I have known for years that I have wanted implants. My concern is this: I have researched and the FDA recommends that silicone implants are not used in patients my age. Why is this? And is this really just a recommendation, or is it a rule? This worries me because I really do not want saline implants.

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by claire1423

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Silicone implants are prohibited in the U.S. in women 21 years or younger

FDA prohibits silicone gel implants on women 21 years or younger. There is no rational reason for this. Your alternative would to go outside the U.S. Best Wishes, Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Silicone breast implants at age 18, really do not want saline.

You are right, the FDA had approved silicone gel implants for those 22 and older. The decision was arbitrary and is some ways seems unfair. On the other side of things, since gels were removed from the market, we used saline implants for 15 years with considerable success and we still use many of them today. The cost is lower, the incision smaller, the leak rates similar or lower, the late contracture rates lower, and ease of replacement is remarkable, the softness very nice and better than... more

Silicone Implants on an 18 Year Old?

When silicone implants returned to the market the FDA approved those implants only for women over 22 years of age. this is a guideline there may be some surgeons who offered these implants on an "off label" basis. However the large majority of plastic surgeons will follow the rules sit down by the FDA. Thank you for your question and best wishes

18 and Silicone Implants

The FDA from what I can tell, made 22 the minimum age at which a cosmetic patient can get silicone implants, based on compromise and political considerations. No so with Saline. If there is a reconstructive need that age requirement can be waived. sek

Silicone implants in an 18 year old

Currently, FDA guidelines state that silicone implants are only approved for cosmetic breast augmentation in women 22 years of age or older. They can be used in women of any age for breast reconstruction, however. The reasoning behind these guidelines is unclear. Excellent cosmetic results can still be obtained with saline implants.If you are interested in a cosmetic breast augmentation, I would definitely recommend that you speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon to... more

The FDA sets the rules.

The current law prohibits the use of Silicone implants in patients 21 and younger. The exact reasoning for this is not clear but it is a rule that we have to follow.