cosmetic
Beauty is a lifestyle choice

Are Silicone Implants Safe?

I am asked this question every day. NOT A SINGLE STUDY has ever found any correlation between silicone breast implants and health related issues in implanted women. It stems from the problems we had in the 1990′s when silicone implants were taken off the market. This was in response to several law suits filed against the implant manufacturers over health related issues in some implanted women. Even though a few of these law suits were won by the plaintiffs, no actual relationship was found between silicone breast implants and these patient’s health problems. As this fact became more well accepted, the lawsuits were no longer successful. Implants were removed from the American market by the FDA in 1992 who put the burden of proof on the implant manufacturers to PROVE they were safe before they would be allowed in America again.

Over the several years that followed, studies were conducted around the globe to study the safety of silicone implants. NOT A SINGLE STUDY found any correlation between silicone breast implants and health related issues in implanted women. Consequently, silicone implants were placed back on the American market in 2006. The recent findings from the 5 year follow up study here again confirmed the safety of silicone implants.
Interestingly, no other country banned silicone during our moratorium. Silicone remains the implant of choice over saline around the world. Even in America, where we have had access to silicone for only 7 years now, the great majority of implants placed are silicone.

In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, we believe they are perfectly safe. The FDA believes this too. Even if they rupture or leak, the silicone is not harmful to you. There are pros and cons of each implant and these will be discussed during your consultation with Dr. Marcus.

By David E. Marcus, M.D.

Dr. Marcus is a Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, specializing in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery at his Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center located in Santa Rosa, CA. Dr. Marcus was born and raised in Michigan, where he received his highly-regarded surgery and plastic surgery training.

Category: Breast Implants

Tags: breast implants, silicone implants