Breast implant safety is an important concern for many women who are considering breast enlargement surgery. Sure, the cosmetic results might be very desirable, but is the procedure going to put your health, or very life, at risk? In order to answer this question, it is vital to learn the true facts about breast implants, as well as understand all the scientific evidence supporting their benefits and potential risks.
This resource section details many of the safety and health concerns associated with implant prostheses and the surgical procedures used to implant them anatomically.
Breast Implant Safety Studies
The modern breast implant has been the focus of innumerable research studies conducted by governmental and private agencies throughout the world. It is the goal of these research projects to learn definitively if breast implants are inherently dangerous or if they have been blamed for a number of coincidental conditions.
At various times in the last 40 years, breast implants have been linked to a number of health conditions, most notably cancer and connective tissue disease (CTD).
It is clear from the overwhelming variety of clinical studies that breast implants do not cause any particular disease or condition. This is not to say that augmentation surgery is not dangerous or that it does not demonstrate associated risks.
Remember that some women have sensitivity issues to any foreign substance in or on their bodies. Although the components of a modern breast implant are not deemed to be hazardous, some women might still experience implant-related health conditions.
Are Breast Implants Really Safe?
It is vital to understand the facts of breast implant durability so that you can decide if you are willing to undergo surgery knowing that your implants might leak or rupture at some point in the future.
Are breast implants safe? This is certainly one of the most common questions we receive from readers. Learn the facts and then decide if augmentation is right for you.
Silicone implant safety standards have improved in recent years, but many patients still demonstrate fear of silicone based on its past performance and problems.
How do you fix a broken breast implant? Removal and revision surgery is the only proven way.
Breast implant failure can cause leaks or spontaneous rupture.
Breast implant infection is a relatively common occurrence that can sometimes spell dire consequences for the patient.
The biggest breast implants usually involve greater risks than typical sized prosthetics.
Breast implant diseases might be related to the implants directly or to the surgical procedure used to place the prostheses.
Illness from breast implants has been widely reported, but definitive medical links to specific health issues have not materialized in many studies.
Breast implant lawyers focus on helping patients who were damaged by augmentation surgery to gain financial compensation.
Breast implant lawsuits almost destroyed the industry in its early years, but now, risk management practices have kept these litigation cases to a minimum.
Silicone breast implant lawsuits put several companies and many doctors out of business, but the monetary rewards never made up for the trauma caused to patients whose lives were affected by illness and disability.
How long do breast implants last? This is a question that every aspiring patient should ask their doctor before getting breast prosthetics.
Are silicone breast implants safe? This question remains controversial, despite completely new designs and a large number of safety studies.
Silicone Breast Implant Safety
Silicone breast implants have been particularly targeted as a cause of health problems, mostly stemming from implant ruptures and subsequent leaking of the interior filler material into the body.
While this was a common occurrence for women who received second generation implants, during the 1970s and early 1980s, the design flaws have been corrected in later third, fourth and fifth generation silicone prostheses.
In addition, although the loose silicone which escaped from the implants should be removed, it was never proven to cause any health concerns whatsoever. Chemical testing shows silicone to be inert and non-reactive to bodily tissues.
Breast Implant Safety Issues
Breast enlargement is a surgical procedure. Any operation has risks and possible complications. It is very important to understand and accept these risks prior to undergoing the procedure.
Make sure to discuss your proposed surgery with your doctor in great detail, to make sure that you fully understand all aspects of the augmentation or reconstruction process.
In addition, read the safety studies for yourself. Your doctor should have research materials and literature available concerning the safety of your implants and the long-term results of the breast enlargement procedure.
You can also find vast amounts of data available on government health sites and medical association websites.
Understanding implant safety must be a priority before undergoing any surgical procedure. If you are considering receiving breast implants to improve your bodily aesthetics, make sure to take the time to learn the facts for yourself.