Silicone implants were first popularized in the 1960′s. Controversy in the early 1990′s led to widespread fear about the possibility of silicone breast implants causing autoimmune diseases in women. Extensive studies since then have showed no evidence that silicone breast implants have any relationship to breast cancer, autoimmune disease or any other systemic illnesses in patients. Specifically, patients with breast implants have no higher incidence of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma or lupus, in comparison with the general population.
The Food & Drug Administration approved the use of the third generation silicone gel implants in November of 2006 for women 22 years of age and older. These implants are not filled with liquid silicone, but rather a cohesive silicone gel.
The increased safety of the cohesive gel implants led to the FDA’s approval of these implants for cosmetic use. Saline implants are FDA approved for breast augmentation in women 18 years of age and older. The FDA set the age of approved use higher for silicone gel implants to ensure that a woman is emotionally mature enough and fully understands the risks of these implants.
There is no perfect breast implant and both the saline and silicone gel implants have advantages and disadvantages. The silicone gel implants feel softer and more natural, have less chance of rippling, but are more expensive and have a higher chance of developing tightening of the scar tissue around the implant known as capsule contracture.
The manufacturers of silicone gel implants (Mentor and Allergan) recommend that you get an MRI after 3 years and then every 2 years thereafter to ensure that your implants are not leaking. Insurance will likely not cover the cost for an MRI. The manufacturers also warn that your insurance carrier may increase your health premiums or decline coverage if you have silicone gel implants.
The Institute of Facial and Cosmetic Surgery offers Breast Augmentation Salt Lake City and all other plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures.
