What’s in store for silicone breast implants?

Silicone breast implants have always been smeared with a lot of controversy. After more than 10 years of research and scientific study, the US Food and Drug Administration has finally given its nod to silicone breast implants for public usage. Now, this type of implants can now be used to women ages 22 and up for both reconstructive and cosmetic breast surgery.

Plastic surgeons are expecting that the availability of silicone breast implants to the public will open new doors for women seeking cosmetic breast augmentation. One plastic surgeon in California, Dr. Lloyd Krieger, notes that in many situations, silicone breast implants have real advantages over saline implants.

Silicone implants tend to look and feel more natural than saline implants. Unlike saline, silicone implants are less prone to rippling or crinkling which can sometimes be felt. Worse, the rippling and crinkling can occasionally become visible under the skin. No woman in her right mind wants something like that to happen to her and silicone breast implants are less likely to give such discomfort.

One major drawback of silicone implants though, is that many people think that this type of implants has a higher rate of capsular contracture, which refers to scarring around the implant and can make the breasts hard.

Since the approval of the FDA, there has been an increase in the number of breast augmentation procedures performed last year. In fact, breast augmentation has toppled liposuction surgery in the most number of procedures performed in 2006. This is just one indication that many women were actually waiting to have more options for their cosmetic breast augmentation needs.

Surgeons still believe that saline implants will retain their presence. Some people don’t prefer to have silicone placed in their body. Aside from that, silicone implants are more expensive than saline implants. It is then the plastic surgeon’s responsibility to inform their patients about the options that are available to them so that they can make informed decisions as to what type of implants they like to have.

Contrary to what many people believe, silicone implants have not been shown to cause autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and lupus. However, patients should realize that any breast augmentation procedure is temporary. At some point, it is likely that additional procedures may be necessary especially when body shape and anatomy changes.

Still, the future of silicone implants is quite promising given the support it currently receives as of the moment.