Silicone Breast Enhancement

A breast augmentation surgery, or mammaplasty, involves many risks that can be avoided by simply choosing a qualified plastic surgeon, this would be the first measure of precaution. Still there are several other risks and complications that might arise from the surgery, and these will be outlined to you in the consultation, or any of the office visits prior to having the breat implants procedure.

As of May, 2000, saline-filled breast implant devices have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for use in Boston breast augmentation and reconstruction. Breast implants that contain silicone gel are currently restricted to women who meet eligibility criteria to participate in approved study programs.

Patients undergoing augmentation mammaplasty surgery must consider the following:

Breast augmentation or reconstruction with saline-filled implants may not be a one time surgery.
Breast implants of any type are not considered lifetime devices. They cannot be expected to last forever. You will likely require future surgery for implant replacement or removal.
Changes that occur to the breasts following augmentation or reconstruction with implants are not reversible. There may be an unacceptable appearance to the breast if you later choose to have breast implants removed.

Alternative Treatment

Augmentation mammaplasty is an elective surgical operation. Alternative treatment would consist of the use of external breast prostheses or padding, or the transfer of other body tissues to enlarge breast size.

Risks of Augmentation Mammaplasty Surgery

Every surgical procedure involves a certain amount of risk and it is important that you understand the risks involved with augmentation mammaplasty. Additional information concerning breast implants may be obtained from the FDA, package-insert sheets supplied by the implant manufacturer, or other information pamphlets required by individual state laws.

An individual's choice to undergo a surgical procedure is based on the comparison of the risk to potential benefit. Although the majority of women do not experience the following complications, you should discuss each of them with your plastic surgeon to make sure you understand the risks, potential complications, and consequences of breast augmentation. Problems associated with breast implants can be inherent to this type of implanted medical device or relate to complications of a surgical procedure. Additional advisory information regarding this subject should be reviewed by patients considering surgery that involves breast implants.

While every patient experiences her own individual risks and benefits following breast implant surgery, clinical data suggests that most women will be satisfied with the outcome of breast implant surgery despite the occurrence of problems inherent with breast implant surgery.