Are Breast Implants Losing Their Appeal?

In France, more than 30,000 have been advised to have their silicone breast implants removed, after discovering that the manufacturer, Poly Implants Prostheses, used industrial grade silicone as a filler, instead of surgical silicone. Now, those who cannot afford to have them removed live in mortal fear of a rupture. This latest scare has caused some women to question whether the benefit of a bigger bust line is worth it, given potential for unknown problems in the future. Breast implants have become one of the most popular types of cosmetic surgery since they were first approved by the FDA in 1976. But they come with a number of risks. In 1992, the FDA placed a moratorium on silicone breast implants after receiving a number of reports of possible side effects from rupture and leakage of silicone in the body. Implants were removed from the market for several years pending further investigation of these reported side effects. Exceptions were made for women who were undergoing reconstructive surgery, such as women who had mastectomies. By the year 2000, a new type was introduced to the market filled with saline, a saltwater solution, in place of silicone. Studies continued on silicone implants over the years to try to determine the degree of risk. By 2006, silicone implants again received limited approval from the FDA for use in reconstruction and augmentation, but restrictions were placed on their use, depending on the age of the patient. The FDA continued to require that manufacturers conduct more detailed long-term studies on the safety of silicone implants. Aside from the risks of silicone leakage, there are other risks to consider when choosing whether to undergo a breast implant. One of those risks is the future cost of having to replace implants. Since implants are still relatively new, little is known about how they will hold up after forty or fifty years. Prospective patients should consider the possibility of needing surgery in the future, particularly knowing that it may not be covered under future insurance policies unless it is a bonafide health risk. Other risks include formation of scar tissue at the site of the surgery, tightening of the tissues around the implant that may squeeze the implant into a smaller ball, and calcification underneath the implant. Finally, while breast implants may look relatively natural on a younger woman, they may look less so on an aging woman, especially if she is thin. Thus, it is important to think through the long-term implications of breast implants, and not let the desires for a youthful figure create a nightmare later in life.