The Centre, P.C. - Plastic Surgery Blog

Silicone Gel Breast Implants: Are They Safe? - Monday, October 20, 2008

The short answer is Yes. There was a 14-year period running from 1992 to 2006 where they were restricted to breast reconstruction by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They were not used for cosmetic enhancement.

That was a result of the FDA being pressured by the mass media to re-assess their safety. An array of women had come forward and stated that they had health problems because of the silicone leaking out of their breast implants. Some claimed their implants had caused some form of cancer and others claimed lupus or some other immune system dysfunction.

During those 14 years, many companies did extended research on silicone implants and any possible connections they may have had to diseases. The FDA directed or supervised all this research.

What is Silicone?

It is a modified form of silicon (with no "e" at the end), which is the second most common element on earth after oxygen. The element silicon is found in sand, rocks, crystals, and other plentiful natural substances. The substance of silicone is also plentiful in our environment, as it is present in many household products such as dish detergent, laundry detergent, hand lotions, and hairspray.

So we all have silicone in our bodies whether or not we have silicone gel breast implants. As the 14 years of research progressed it became obvious that silicone poses no danger if it leaks out of an implant, and that the health claims trumpeted in the mass media had no basis in fact.

Improved Silicone

The 14 years of research were not pointless however, as they did result in a form of implant silicone which is more self-adhesive, and in tougher silicone shells for both saline and silicone gel implants. In the very unlikely event that a silicone gel implant were to rupture, the gel inside it would not move. It would remain in place, adhering to itself, and not leak into the body in any way.

Silicone Gel Implants Re-Approved by FDA

In November, 2006 the FDA issued approval of the newer silicone implants made by two California companies: Allergan and Mentor. They have been widely-used ever since and are usually thought to be more natural in their look and feel than saline implants.

At The Centre, P.C., we offer both silicone and saline implants for your breast augmentation. The choice between those types of implant is one of the issues to consider and discuss with your cosmetic surgeon before you have an augmentation procedure. To learn more about breast implants please see our Breast Enlargement Questions page.

If you would like a personal consultation, please call or email our comprehensive plastic surgery office today.