Silicone Breast Implants Have Been Approved by the FDA
A 14-Year Ban Is Lifted

By now you've probably heard the news: American women finally have access to the breast implants they overwhelmingly prefer. On Friday, the FDA approved silicone gel implants for general use. The approval ends 14 years of legal wrangling.

Personally, I'm thrilled for my patients. Silicone gel implants are the implants of choice among women who want a completely natural-feeling breast enlargement. The implants more closely mimic the feeling of a woman's real breast, as opposed to saline implants, which more commonly have rippling.

They've been available in Europe for years, where 90% of women receiving implants ask for them.

The New Silicone Implants Are Improved
Unlike the original silicone implants, which were filled with a liquid silicone the consistency of honey, the new cohesive implants are thicker. If the outside covering of the cohesive implants is cut, the inside stays in place. In fact, you can cut the cohesive gel implants in half and the inside still doesn't run out.

A 14-Year Ban
If you recall, silicone breast implants were banned by the FDA over reports that they either leaked or were connected with breast disease. Although studies did not find any conclusive evidence that silicone implants posed a health risk, the FDA upheld the ban because manufacturers had not provided enough data on their safety.

Since then, manufacturers have mounted study after study to re-establish the medical reputation of silicone implants.

My Experience with Silicone Breast Implants
I'd like to reassure all of you that during my 20 years of practice I've performed thousands of silicone breast augmentations and reconstructions. Never once have I seen an autoimmune reaction, a rejection of the implant or any associated disease.

In my opinion, the health issues surrounding silicone breast implants are media creations. A few negative results were picked up and magnified all out of proportion. Then they were disseminated ad infinitum by self-appointed interest groups. These alarmists have no background in medical science.

The Risks and the Research
My colleagues and I have been dismayed by this senseless brouhaha. At the same time, we realize that many of our patients are concerned about potential risks posed by silicone breast implants. Everyone, after all, is influenced by the media.

Therefore, I want to briefly go over the scientific research, because patient safety and peace of mind are paramount issues for me.

Studies Don't Support the Accusations
A 2000 study by the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine found no link between ruptured silicone implants and medical illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. The complications from silicone implants were seen as mostly local in nature, relating either to the tightening of scar tissue around the implant, or rare types of infections.

Several reports since that landmark 2000 study have corroborated the IOM's findings.

These include studies by researchers at the prestigious, government-sponsored National Institutes of Health. Going beyond the issues of rupture and leakage, they found no connection between breast implants and any type of cancer or connective tissue disorders.

In 2004, a study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that implant rupture is a harmless condition that only rarely leads to notable symptoms.

There is Really No Reason to Hesitate
If you've been resisting the idea of breast augmentation because you find enlarged breasts unnatural, you can put all of that behind you.

I support the choice of women who want to elect to have silicone breast implants for these reasons:

- They give women a choice.
- There is no conclusive evidence connecting these implants to disease.
- Women prefer the feel of silicone to saline.

But patient safety and informed decision-making always take precedence, and if you have any doubts about silicone, make sure you clear them up. Your peace of mind is essential to your long-term health. We will always offer saline implants. We are just delighted to be able to offer you silicone once again.

www.lawlercentre.com