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Breast Implants: Is Silicone Safe?

You've no doubt heard about the controversy surrounding silicone breast implants. Many Philadelphia and south New Jersey women have asked us about the current status of silicone implants, since they have heard both positive and negative things about this type of implant. Though silicone implants have been continuously available for corrective and reconstructive breast surgery, in November 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) re-approved the use of silicone implants for first-time patients as well. Dr. Sorokin has been offering silicone breast implants for several years as part of an FDA-sanctioned study, giving him unique experience in working with this type of implant.

Why Us for Your Breast Enhancement

Dr. Sorokin is a trusted, board-certified plastic surgeon who is known for his specialization in breast enhancement surgery. Women visit him from New Jersey and Philadelphia for breast augmentation, breast lifts, combination procedures, and complex revision cases. Dr. Sorokin takes the time to understand your goals and offers a "rapid recovery" technique so you can enjoy your results sooner.

For more information about breast implants and breast augmentation, request a consultation with Dr. Sorokin or call our office in Cherry Hill at .

What is Silicone? Is it Safe for Use in Breast Implants?

For breast augmentation, women know they have many breast implant options. Most importantly, they want to make a safe choice. Dr. Sorokin believes that educating his patients about silicone breast implants will help them make an informed decision.

Silicones are a family of chemical compounds made from silicon, a naturally occurring element found in sand, quartz, and rock. Next to oxygen, silicon is the most common element in the earth's crust and becomes silicone when it is combined with oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. Silicones have been part of the consumer industry for over 50 years, appearing in such products as hairspray, suntan lotion, and moisturizing cream. Silicone products have been shown to be biocompatible, reliable, flexible, and easy to sterilize, making them an ideal choice for implantable medical devices such as artificial joints, tissue expanders, and breast implants.

The latest generation of silicone implants is filled with cohesive silicone gel, not liquid silicone. Cohesive implants have a solid consistency like a gummy bear, meaning that should rupture occur, they will stay in place and not "leak" into surrounding tissue. As a result, in the event of rupture, this new generation of silicone implants limits internal exposure to silicone gel.

The Numerous Studies of Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone breast implants are arguably the most studied medical devices. In fact, their safety and effectiveness has been evaluated through decades of research. Many patients who seek out a breast implant surgeon in New Jersey or Philadelphia wish to learn more about the clinical studies of silicone safety. In 1992, the FDA asked surgeons to voluntarily stop using silicone gel-filled breast implants until their safety could be thoroughly reviewed by the FDA's advisory panel through a series of controlled clinical studies. Mainly, there had been suggestions that silicone implants were causing connective tissue diseases.

After extensive review of these studies, in 1999 the National Institute of Health's Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a landmark 400-page report entitled "Safety of Silicone Breast Implants." The review panel was composed of members of the medical, scientific and educational communities with experience in radiology, women's health, neurology, oncology, silicone chemistry, rheumatology, immunology, epidemiology, internal medicine, and plastic surgery. After evaluation of years of evidence and research concerning silicone implants, the IOM panel found that, "Evidence suggests diseases or conditions such as connective tissue diseases, cancer, neurological diseases or other systemic complaints or conditions are no more common in women with breast implants than in women without implants." In fall 2006, after over a decade of review, the FDA concluded much the same thing, approving the marketing of silicone implants made by two companies for breast reconstruction in women of all ages and breast augmentation in women ages 22 and older.

Detailed clinical research also has shown:

• Breast cancer is no more common in women with silicone implants than in those without implants.
• There is no evidence to suggest that it is unsafe for women with silicone breast implants to breastfeed.
• No increased risk of adverse health outcomes exists in children born to women with silicone implants.

Are Silicone Breast Implants Right for Me?

Studies show silicone implants are safe, but that doesn't mean they are the best option for you. At your consultation, Dr. Sorokin will evaluate your individualized needs and help you to make the most satisfying choice. The unique qualities and natural feel of silicone implants make them a popular choice for patients selecting between saline and silicone, and the preferred implant of most cosmetic surgeons. Women should keep in mind that, like any implant, silicone implants may not last your entire lifetime, and it is possible that at some point an implant would need to be removed or replaced. Also, they are not a good choice for women who currently:

• Have existing malignant or pre-malignant cancer of the breast that has not been successfully treated
• Have an active infection anywhere in the body
• Are pregnant or nursing

You should know that silicone implants have not been clinically tested in women with:

• Autoimmune diseases like lupus or scleroderma
• Conditions that could interfere with wound healing and blood clotting
• A weakened immune system
• Reduced blood supply to the breast tissue
• Radiation to the breast following implantation
• Clinical diagnosis of depression or other mental health disorders, including body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders

Unlike saline implants, where any leak will cause the implant to deflate, silicone implant ruptures are hard to detect. Patients who choose silicone implants will need to have an MRI exam 3 years after implant and every 2 years after this to screen for implant rupture. It is important to check with your insurance company if you are considering breast augmentation, since some insurance companies may not cover the cost of these MRI exams or may restrict insurance coverage for patients with breast implants.