Silicone Breast Implants Revived by FDA

On July 28 2005, the FDA issued a letter of approval to Mentor Corp ending the the thirteen year old ban on silicone-gel breast implants. This move came about as Mentor Corp. persuaded the FDA that its newer silicone implants are less dangerous and more durable than older versions. The company will employ these implants only under the following strict safety conditions approved by the FDA.

- Prospective patients must sign a consent form acknowledging that they realise the risks of a silicone breast implant including the fact that they could break and need replacement or removal.

- Mentor is only allowed to sell silicone breast implants to board-certified plastic surgeons who complete a successful practical training program to learn how to insert these implants in a way that minimizes the odds of breakage.

- Mentor must produce and maintain a registry to track the implant patients long term results.

- Patients must be educated about the fact that if an implant breaks, the effect of the breakage typically doesn't cause immediate symptoms. Further it is advised to have an MRI after 5 years and 2 years thereafter to check for breakage.

- Mentor must conduct a ten year study to determine the percentage of breast implants that will break in that time.

- The study must be reviewed by an independent committee.

- The results of Mentor's breast implant program will be reviewed by the FDA in 5 years to verify that the implants are performing as expected.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 334,052 breast augmentations were performed in the United States in 2004 - the vast majority employing salt water filled implants that are sold without restriction. Consumer surveys predict that if the silicone breast implants return to the market, 200,000 women will have them installed in the 1st year.

Silicone-gel breast implants began selling in 1962 and were banned in 1992 amid health fears. Research since then has shown no statistical correlation between silicone breast implants and cancer or auto-immune disease such as lupus. Some women will swear that their health deteriorated from the moment they had their implants placed, but this is anecdotal evidence. When researchers compare a large group of women with implants to an equally large group without them, no difference between the two groups is found in the number of women with cancer or autoimmune disease.

Formation of excess scar tissue due to a foreign-body reaction is common. If it is localized, it can cause traction and rippling effects in the appearance of the implant. If the scar tissue completely encircles the implant the condition is called capsular contraction. These scars can bind the implant into an unnatural round shape, so that it appears the woman has a baseball stuck under the skin on her chest. This condition is more common with smooth-walled silicone implants, though it occurs to a lesser extent with saline implants as well. Implants placed behind the chest muscle have a much lower incidence of this problem. Surgeons can sometimes break the scar tissue manually (which is not recommeded, as it can break the implant and void the manufacturer's warranty) , but often follow-up surgery is needed.

The asthma drug Accolate has been used with some success to prevent and even reverse capsular contraction, though months of treatment may be required.

Other possible complications include seroma (a collection of serous fluid), hematoma (blood), synmastia (breasts that appear to be fused in the center), bottoming out (implant slides too far down the chest), double-fold ( the implant's outline does not corresspond to the natural breast crease), deflation (the implant breaks), tissue necrosis (localized death of tissue) and infection.

Frank Vanderlugt

Please visit our site at http://www.breast-implant-2006.now for more information and medical referrals.

---

Is Cosmetic Surgery Right For You?

For many of us, we go through most of our lives paying minimal attention to our skin. Sure, we moisturize and hopefully use our SPF30 on a... Read More

Dry Skin Prevention Tips

If you suffer from dry skin your probably always looking for different ways to help improve your condition. There are some different products that can help keep... Read More

Contact Lenses Causing Dry Eyes?

Don't you just hate it when your eyes are dry and itchy? It is definitely one of the worst feelings for such a sensitive area. Your instincts... Read More

Beauty Secrets

How many times have you looked at yourself in the mirror and wished you could change a minor problem? To look even more beautiful. Here are five... Read More

Beauty Tip: Foundation Secrets For A Flawless Complexion

1. For a natural look your foundation must match your skin tone. Test foundations along your jawline. You will know the best color because it will disappear... Read More

Winter Skin Care Survival Guide

Skin care survival guide. Cold winter air is far less humid than warm air, which means skin will be drier in the winter months. Harsh winds make... Read More

Chemical Peels

Generally, chemical peels can be arranged into three categories of light, medium and deep. Light peels are used to help dry skin, acne, liver spots, sun spots,... Read More

Things You Ought To Know First Before Undergoing Liposuction Surgery

According to the medical dictionary of Medline Plus, liposuction is the removal of excess body fat by suction with specialized surgical equipments, typically performed by a plastic... Read More

Create A Home Spa

Here are 10 personal little home spa tips that will make you look and feel like a million bucks!Squeeze in a few extra minutes to your every... Read More

For All Those Beginners: How Do I Put On Make-Up?

It is very important to start with a clean slate. Use a gentle cleanser with a light exfoliant. It is important to make sure that it is... Read More

Natural Ways to Treat Stretch Marks

Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman's life. One aspect of child-bearing, however, may not be so welcomed. For 75-90% of pregnant women, stretch marks, or... Read More

Rejuvenate Your Skin with a Simple Seaweed Facial Mask

A few years ago I discovered how to make a simple facial mask that left my face feeling incredibly soft, smooth and looking absolutely radiant. This mask... Read More

Sunless Sun Tanning

With more and more of us understanding the serious consequences of sun tanning, we are looking for alternatives. Remember the first self tanners that hit the shelves... Read More

Self Tanners: Your New Best Friend?

Have you ever known a sun worshipper, one of those people who can never seem to get a dark enough tan? They are always looking for that... Read More

The Laser Hair Removal Process

Laser Hair Removal is becoming more popular then ever for the removal of unwanted body hair. Before making the decision to go forward with laser hair removal... Read More

Age Spot Erasing Made Easy And Right From Your Own Kitchen

If you're anything like most baby boomers, after graying hair, poor eyesight, weight gain and winkles, age spots rank fifth on your list of aging nuisances. But... Read More

Unique Fun Contact Lenses - How To Stand Out In A Crowd

Unique fun contact lenses are what will make you stand out from your friends. Since special effects contact lenses are created for cosmetic purposes, they come with... Read More

Plastic Surgery - A Risky Business

When most of us think of plastic surgery, we contemplate the different things we would - or are going to - have done: that bump on the... Read More

The Evils of Tanning Beds

OK, so you've had a few days of steady rain, and going to the beach isn't an option. But you're starting to notice your pasty white skin,... Read More

What is the Real Price of a Spray Tan?

Looking tanned is such a great feeling, isn't it?There are three methods of getting that feeling.1. Getting out into the sun. Great if you are young, and... Read More

8 Spray Tanning Tips

With the recent surge in the popularity of tanning, many people are flocking to salons to use tanning booths or beds to build and maintain a healthy... Read More

Hair Stylist - Record Holder

Have you ever seen hair stylist cutting hair with Fire & Blindfolded or Glass or a paper-cutter? Imagine, Stylist burning your hair with fire, and sometimes that... Read More

Soft Hair And Skin Au Naturelle

Just picture this, your walking down the beach front, its a warm sunny day, a light breeze in from the sea is gently blowing through your hair... Read More

Natural Rosacea Products & Rosacea Medications : The Common Thread

If you are one of the thousands of men and women suffering from the skin discorder rosacea or acne rosacea, you may already be familiar with the... Read More

The Benefits of Discount Salon Equipment

Many suppliers of salon equipment offer products that are labeled as "discount" for various reasons. Some discounted salon equipment may be a good bargain, but the buyer... Read More

How To Prevent Eye Damages From Tanning Beds

While most people think tanning beds are completely safe, the truth is that there are two issues to consider with indoor tanning. First, indoor tanning can lead... Read More