Breast Implants Scandal

Breast Implants

One of the defining features of women’s beauty, personality and femininity is the female breast. But for some personal reasons, some women are dissatisfied with their breast shape and size either because they are underdeveloped or they start losing their shape after pregnancy or they fail to develop normally. But whatever the issue, the main question stands “Is it really safe? Is beauty more important than health?”

First and the most important aspect that one should consider before breast implants is whether you are physically healthy. Breast Implants should be considered only when it is done for personal satisfaction and realistic expectations. According to the FDA, “Women need to understand that breast implants are not lifetime devices. The longer a woman has breast implants, the greater the chances that she will develop complications, some of which will require surgery”. Certain points to be considered before breast implants:

Women interested in breast implants should carefully select a ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery) Certified Surgeon.

Breast implants like other medical devices, does not last lifelong. The life of these devices varies according to the individual. Women need to be aware that they have a responsibility to maintain good breast health by regular checkup and if needed, it has to be replaced.

Breast implants can be done in two ways : Saline-filled and Silicone gel-filled breast implants. Saline filled breast implants have been clinically supported for over 30 years and are safe. Silicon filled implants have been approved by the FDA in 2006 and made it available for the U.S. market determining it to be safe and effective. Implant leakage or rupture, fluid accumulations are some of the risks associated with breast implants. Women with silicone implants should get MRI screenings to detect ruptures three years after receiving the implants and every two years after that.

Currently Saline breast implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women above 18 years of age and Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women 22 years of age and older.

Pregnancy, weight loss and menopause may influence the appearance of augmented breasts over the course of your lifetime. Women should conduct a thorough research about the type of implants and its features and risks. Women should also disclose to the surgeons, any surgery done before and the body responses.

The breast implant scandal of France, involved selling of silicon sacs which were weaker, industrial-grade silicone intended for waterproofing bricks rather than medical-grade silicone required to be used by implant manufacturers. Hence, it is necessary that the patient should have proper knowledge about what she is going through.

All surgery has risks. Breast implant surgery is not different. Women planning for breast implants should have proper information about the potential risks associated with it. Women with breast implants need to continuously perform breast self-examinations and to get mammograms to screen for early signs of cancer. Just because you have implants doesn’t mean you can ignore other breast health recommendations.