Silicone Breast Implant Safety
Most women considering breast augmentation in New Jersey or Philadelphia are well aware that silicone breast implants returned to the market as FDA-approved medical devices in 2006. Any woman researching breast implants (either saline or silicone) needs to understand that they are both safe and effective medical devices that have been extensively studied.
Concerned about safety? Talk with Dr. Sorokin when you request a consultation at Delaware Valley Plastic Surgery. You can also call 856.872.4158 to schedule your appointment.
Breast Implant Longevity – New Jersey Patients
The single most important thing every woman must realize is that breast implants simply are not intended to last forever. Like any manmade device, implants will eventually fail or leak given enough time. Repairing or replacing your implants will require further surgery.
Dr. Evan Sorokin advises all of his Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey breast implant patients that the decision to have breast augmentation will often that they are committing themselves to future surgery down the road.
Silicone Implant Safety
Dr. Sorokin was delighted in 2006 when silicone gel implants were approved by the FDA for breast augmentation. His New Jersey and Philadelphia patients had greater choice when it came to implant type. The FDA has declared that silicone gel implants from both Allergan and Mentor are safe and effective medical devices – no short or long term link between silicone implants and disease was found.
After years of extensive research, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of the Sciences determined that, "evidence suggests diseases or conditions such as connective tissue diseases, cancer, neurological diseases or other systemic complaints or conditions are no more common in women with breast implants than in women without implants."
Silicone Breast Implants – The Real Story
Worldwide, silicone implants have been chosen by 9 out of 10 women over the last 25 years. And despite the FDA asking for a voluntary delay in the use of silicone implants in America from 1992 through 2006, silicone-based implants have been available to American patients for most of that time. While the "moratorium" occurred in America, silicone implants continued to be extremely popular overseas. It was just another chapter in the history of breast implants.
Silicone is one of the most ubiquitous substances in the world. Silicon naturally occurs in sand, rock, and quartz. When combined with oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen it becomes silicone, which is used in everyday items such as soaps, baby pacifiers, cosmetics, and medical devices such as heart valves and artificial joints.
Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey breast implant patients are exposed to silicone every day in many products other than breast implants. Every breast implant regardless of fill material is made from an outer silicone shell.
Advantages of Silicone Gel Implants
- Many women find that silicone feels more soft and natural.
- Saline implants may ripple more through the skin than silicone implants and therefore silicone may look more natural.
- Silicone implants have some evidence of lower capsular contracture rates than saline implants.
Disadvantages of Silicone Gel Implants
- Silicone implants may "silently" rupture, meaning the implant may become compromised without any immediate symptoms such as deflation.
- Regular MRI exams on a 2-year schedule are needed to detect leaks, causing inconvenience and additional expense.
- Some studies suggest that silicone implants may have a higher rate of capsular contracture over time.
Dr. Sorokin is happy to review important information regarding the differences between saline and silicone breast implants when you come in for a consultation. During this office visit, you can handle and manipulate both saline and silicone implants, get your questions answered, and get a personal recommendation from Dr. Sorokin.
