Are Breast Implants Safe?

Huge advancements in breast implant technology have made today’s implants both more natural looking & feeling, and extremely safe. Dr. Ali has used breast implants with safe and natural results on thousands of women in Birmingham, Troy, west Bloomfield, Rochester Hills and across Oakland County. In this article we address the history and the safety of breast implants.

History of Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone implants were first used in 1964 with the limited technology of that decade. Over time, some patients experienced complications. So in 1992 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) temporarily recommended that silicone implants be removed from use (except for reconstruction or for congenital deformities), pending further study.

At that time myths, rumors and speculation about silicone implants were widely spread. But exhaustive studies have shown that silicone implants actually have complication rates that are very small – and are the same as, or in some cases lower than, saline implants.

Studies showed that there was no evidence of long-term autoimmune problems in women who underwent augmentation with silicone implants. In 1999, the National Academy Institute of Medicine issued a report that concluded that diseases such as connective tissue disorders, cancer, neurological diseases, or other systemic complaints or conditions “are no more common in women with breast implants than in women without implants.”

In 2006 the FDA lifted its restrictions on silicone breast implants, and cleared them for cosmetic use in women aged 22 and older. By 2010 breast implants were the most popular plastic surgery in the United States – with 62% of implants being silicone.

History of Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants have also been used in the United States since the 1960s. When silicone implants were removed from the market in 1992, saline implants increased in use. At that time, many women felt more comfortable using saline (“salt water”) breast implants, because saline is a natural substance that is safely absorbed into the bloodstream if the breast implant leaks, ruptures or deflates.

However, saline has less “viscosity” (thickness) compared to silicone – making saline breast implants feel somewhat less “natural” than silicone breast implants.  Additionally saline implants have about a 10% incidence of “deflation” – whereas silicone implants retain some or all of their shape even if the integrity of the breast implants shell is compromised.

Do Breast Implants Cause Cancer?

Studies have definitively proven that there is no relationship between breast implants and breast cancer. In the United States, approximately 1 out of 9 women (11%) will develop breast cancer. This percentage is the same for women with and without breast implants.

Because of the large number of women having breast implants – and the fact that approximately 11% of women will unfortunately experience breast cancer – some breast augmentation patients will eventually develop breast cancer. But The National Cancer Institute recently released a study of more than 13,000 women and concluded that there was no significant increase in breast cancer incidence in women with breast implants.

Today’s Breast Implants are Safe

Keep in mind that breast implants are tested, regulated, approved and closely monitored in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration. Since 2006 the FDA has allowed the use of today’s modern generation of silicone breast implants.

In fact, based on data from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery it’s estimated that roughly 1 in every 26 women in the US has breast implants. That means that 4% of US women have improved their appearance with breast implants.

Birmingham Michigan’s Top Breast Implant Surgeon

Dr. Ali is a board certified Birmingham plastic surgeon who has performed breast implants on thousands of women in Birmingham, Troy, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield, and across Oakland County. He utilizes the latest techniques and best, state-of-the-art breast implant technologies and procedures – to ensure that your results are as safe as they are beautiful. Dr. Ali will be happy to offer you a consultation to answer all of your questions at his Birmingham office.

Feel beautiful inside and out, with breast implant surgery. And remember, financing options are also available.