BY: Timothy Neavin, MD

In 2007, there were nearly 400,000 breast augmentations performed by plastic surgeons in the United States according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). For many women, the decision process can be daunting, confusing, and even frustrating. Over the muscle, under the muscle, around the nipple, in the armpit? It appears that new techniques are being developed routinely, or old techniques are constantly being refined.

Silicone-gel breast implants first went on the market in 1962, before the FDA required proof that all medical devices be safe and effective. Thirty years later, they were banned by the FDA amid concerns about their safety. Silicone would then become one of the most extensively studied medical devices in the history of medicine.

Silicone Implants are Back: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its ban on silicone breast implants in November, 2006

Until November 17, 2006, women had but just one choice for breast augmentation in the United States, saline filled implants during silicone's 14 year moratorium (1992 to 2007). After rigorous scientific review demonstrating the safety of silicone, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its ban on silicone breast implants in November, 2006 for primary breast augmentation in women over the age of 22 leaving plastic surgeons and women with still another choice for bigger breasts, cohesive gel silicone implants.

The approvals came with conditions, including a requirement that the major breast implant companies complete 10-year studies on women who have received the implants to study leaks or ruptures. Companies were also required to begin new decade-long studies of the safety of the devices in 40,000 women and these studies are still ongoing. However, despite the well established safety profile of silicone, for many women even today, the word silicone still sends fear down their spine as images of lupus, arthritis and other so-called autoimmune diseases emerge. And alarming cases of rupture have fueled the concern and controversy as evident by the FDA's recommendations for serial MRI's to detect ‘silent ruptures'.

"For many women even today, the word silicone still sends fear down their spine..."

Since then, the countless studies and reports by the Institute of Medicine that have consistently failed to link silicone breast implants to the aforementioned diseases invigorating the silicone fad. Now more than ever women are choosing silicone over saline for either primary breast augmentation or breast implant exchange. Indeed, silicone-gel breast implants are a safe and effective device, and now there is certainly adequate information available to enable women to make an informed decision. Silicone-gel breast implants remain an excellent augmentation option for many women that are looking for a softer and more natural looking and feeling breast.

For women interested in breast augmentation, more information can be found at: www.breastimplantsafety.org www.surgery.org The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Some Simple Silicone Facts...

Silicon is second only to oxygen as the most abundant element on earth, and it's found commonly in sand, quartz, and rock. Silicones are a family of chemical compounds made of silicon when mixed with oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. Silicone can be made into many different forms ranging from oils to gels to rubber. Silicone is also a component of many other medical devices such as facial implants, artificial joints, heart valves, nerve regeneration devices, and even penile prosthesis. It is also commonly used as a cosmetic agent for the treatment of scars.

Timothy Neavin, M.D.

Dr. Timothy Neavin is a plastic surgeon at Beverly Hills Body, in Los Angeles, California.

Beverly Hills Body

310-276-3183

9201 Sunset Blvd, Suite 202

www.Beverlyhillsbody.com

www.timothy.neavin@gmail.com